Nancy Martin, president of the Hamlin Library Board of Trustees, gave the opening remarks celebrating the expansion of the Hamlin Public Library. The library has increased the area from the 1,000 square feet established in this location in 1998 to 3,400 square feet. The expansion should suffice for the next four years, according to library staff.

A good crowd made up of patrons, friends of the library and elected officials gathered April 24 to celebrate the efforts of many who contributeed to the bigger library. State Senator George Maziarz and State Assemblymember Charlie Nesbitt aided the project along by securing an $8,000 state grant. Photograph by Walter Horylev.

While the guests and dignitaries were listening to presentations being made to mark the expansion of the Hamlin Public Library, Freeman Lattin was demonstrating what the library expansion was all about. Photograph by Walter Horylev.

Hamlin loves
its library

The Hamlin Public Library hosted a celebration Saturday, April 24, as area politicians and individuals associated with the library celebrated its latest growth spurt.

"The response of the Hamlin community to its own library has been overwhelming," said Nancy Martin, president of the library's board of trustees and emcee for the occasion. The almost 60 people in attendance were full of praise for the town's library and for all associated with it.

Supervisor Austin Warner III was the first in line to offer congratulations. "We must be doing something right," said Warner, pointing to the sunshine pouring into the building. "Because of all of you, the Hamlin Library serves all of us."

The library's ability to serve Hamlin recently doubled in size. The facility went from just over 1,600 square feet to more than 3,000 square feet. As it stands now, the library is a far cry from its humble beginnings when it was first chartered in 2000. In the last year the library's circulation has grown to 52,400 pieces.

Senator George Maziarz was on hand for the festivities. He shared a story about spending many of his formative years in his local library. Maziarz said quality library service is vital for communities, especially as a service for seniors and youth. "Libraries really become part of the fabric of the community," he said.

The library's expansion was made possible thanks in part to contributions from a few different sources. The Town of Hamlin contributed $10,000 from the cable franchise fee, the library received an $8,000 New York State grant through Senator George Maziarz and Assemblyman Charlie Nesbitt, the Thiem Foundation contributed $5,000, the Bott Family Trust gave $5,000, and the Friends of the Hamlin Public Library added $5,000.

Beyond financial assistance, many Hamlin residents donated a lot of time to help ease the transition to the larger space. Nancy Jennejahn, president of the Friends of the Library committee and an active volunteer for many organizations, said her experience helping the library was like no other.

"It is the first group of people I have been involved with that actually calls me to ask what else they can do," Jennejahn said.

In addition to these contributions, the Hamlin Public Library recently was notified of a bequest of $200,000 form Margaret McGrath. McGrath, of Rochester, was the daughter of Marie Dollard McGrath from Hamlin. The library has not yet received the money.

Local contractor Beehler Construction did the renovations. Steve Lauth, of Beehler, said the company was honored to be part of such a worthwhile project. "We feel proud as a company to help the community we live in," said Lauth. "We live here and we love it."