Photo Courtesy of Lamoureux Pagano & Associates
Thinking of Buying a Home in Shrewsbury?
New Public Library another Great Reason to Choose this Town
Shrewsbury Public Library Takes Shape
I think most people would agree that a quality library represents a community’s dedication to culture and education. Shrewsbury Public Library, located at the town center across from the town common, is no exception. The library is undergoing a renaissance that has involved the demolition of much of the existing structure and the construction of a new facility. Groundbreaking for the new library took place last November, and major construction should be completed next spring, followed by the re-opening of the library in June of 2016.
I have been personally involved in fundraising for the new library as the chairman of the Small Business Capital Campaign, a committee charged with raising funds from businesses employing fewer than ten employees. Last week I had the pleasure of attending a ceremony to sign names on the top beam of the new building. Library patrons joined staff members in signing the beam before it was raised to the top of the structure in a “topping out” ceremony. A U.S. flag and a tree crowned the beam in keeping with the tradition of the ceremony. Topping out has evolved from an ancient Scandinavian builders’ rite, in which the inclusion of a tree on top of a new building was thought to pacify tree-dwelling spirits that were displaced when timber was harvested for building. In modern times, the incorporation of the tree represents the hope for a safe and successful construction project, and it often signifies the project’s most auspicious point.
When moving to a new community, the town library can be a great resource for community groups and events, and Shrewsbury’s library is no exception. Shrewsbury Public Library programs include:
• Language and computer classes and crafts workshops
• Book discussions and poetry readings
• Children’s programs and story times
• Talent showcases
• Passes to nearby museums
• Summer reading programs for kids
Once completed, the new Shrewsbury Public Library will feature complete handicap accessibility, larger spaces both indoors and outside for children’s programs and play, additional computers and improved technology, a large community meeting room with a kitchen, and more parking. The existing 1903 Jubal Howe Building will also undergo preservation and restoration to retain the library’s historic roots.
While construction of the new library continues, a temporary library has been relocated to Glavin Center on Lake Street and continues to offer essential services. If you’re thinking of relocating to Shrewsbury, you should consider the library as an indispensable resource in your new community.
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