Building Repair Update

 

Gunn Memorial Library Remediation and Remodel: Update

As of August 22, 2023- 

During the weeks of September 1st through September 22nd, please use our parking lot with caution. We expect our new stacks and furniture to be installed during this time and as a result, there will be many delivery trucks and workers using the parking lot. There will be limited access to parking during these weeks.
Remember : Staff are happy to deliver your items curbside — please call 860-868-7586 to arrange curbside delivery.
We anticipate closing September 25th thru October 23rd to finish the installation and to bring our items from storage back to the building. More information and updates to follow. Thank you for your patience!

As of August 7, 2023- 

We have now substantially repaired and painted the interior of the library. Lighting and carpets will be installed soon. Beginning in September, we look forward to installation of the bookcases, furniture and other enhancements such as digital information screens and improved WIFI throughout the library.

To facilitate the return and re-shelving of our collection, we will be operating on a significantly modified schedule during mid-September to mid-October. Please check our website or subscribe to our e-newsletter for our updates.

We are on track with our projected completion in the Fall. We anticipate announcing a celebratory Open House for November. We are eager to welcome the community back into our newly renovated spaces and we will share more specific details in the next few weeks.

Please check our website or subscribe to our e-newsletter for our updates.

In the meantime, we also invite you to visit the Gunn Museum during normal opening hours to view our permanent exhibit, An American Story as well as our new exhibit Homespun Virtue.

Please feel free to reach out to any of our staff members or Trustees with your comments or questions.

On February 5th, the Gunn Library experienced a frozen pipe break that caused extensive water damage in the Adult and Children’s Libraries. Since that time the Adult and Children’s Libraries have been opened with modified services in the upstairs Wykeham Room (the original part of the Library). We have enjoyed seeing many of you! In February, we were busy removing our books and other library materials to a suitable environmentally controlled facility and beginning to make plans for a reimagined Adult and Children’s Library.

We have now substantially repaired and painted the interior of the library. We have ordered new carpets and bookcases. We will soon follow up with furniture orders and other enhancements including digital information screens and extended WIFI throughout the library. We appreciate your inputs through our earlier community survey. Those comments along with our staff visits to recently renovated libraries in our region have helped inform us as we update our spaces while preserving the warmth and history of our facility.

We will have a lighter and subtly brighter Adult Library that will accommodate more seating for reading, studying and gentle conversations. The Children’s library will be more colorful and engaging. Yes, the cow has been cleaned and will once again be at home in the Children’s Library! Below are thematic computer renderings of the Adult Library and the Children’s Library. We are extremely grateful to our community neighbors: Congregational Church on the Green, The Judy Black Memorial Park and Gardens, Hickory Stick Bookshop as well as the Senior Center and American Legion Hall for collaborating with us so that we can continue to provide our programming and services.

 

We anticipate completion in the Fall and will keep the community updated. In the meantime, we also invite you to visit the Gunn Museum during normal opening hours. Please feel free to reach out to any of our staff members or Trustees with your comments or questions.

Regards,

Audra MacLaren
Executive Director
Gunn Memorial Library and Museum