Library advocates to launch campaign
Sep. 12—MANCHESTER — Vote Yes Library, a group organizing support for a proposal to build a new library, will launch its campaign Wednesday night.
The event, set for 7 p.m. at Silk City Coffee, 763 Main St., is free and described as an informational session for the Vote Yes Library mission The group will accept contributions to help finance its efforts.
A referendum vote is on the ballot on Election Day, Nov. 8, for $39 million in bonding to build a new 75,000-square-foot library at 1041 Main St.
The funds would fully cover construction of the new facility, purchase of the property, demolition, design work, and necessary renovations to the existing Mary Cheney Library at 586 Main St. for alternate use of the facility.
The group says it hopes to have the referendum pass to provide the town a new, 21st century library in downtown Manchester.
Manchester Library Director Dennis Schain said last week that Webster Bank, which owns 1041 Main St., has provided a letter expressing its interest in selling it to the town.
"They want to continue their presence on Main Street, and we're going to work with them on that," Schain said.
Schain said nothing is set in stone, but Webster Bank was looking to move into a smaller facility in downtown Manchester.
Stephen Ristau, chairman of Vote Yes Library, said the Mary Cheney Library is outdated and outmoded, and the town needs a new location to expand its services.
Ristau said the proposed site offers many advantages, including providing an anchor that will contribute to the continued revitalization of Main Street.
General Manager Steven Stephanou said in August that the town would hope to bring the cost for Manchester taxpayers well below the $39 million using grants and other funding sources, including allocations from the American Rescue Plan Act.
Stephanou said $5.5 million has already been allocated to the project from state funding, and the town expects to receive at least $1 million in grants.
This isn't the first time an expansion to library services has been brought to a referendum in recent years.
In 2012, voters narrowly rejected the bonding of $12.5 million to expand and upgrade Mary Cheney Library, with 13,069 in favor and 9,538 against.
The proposed expansion would have added about 10,000 square feet of space, added more computer space and study areas, and improved handicap accessibility.
The referendum failed largely because of plans to expand the building into Center Memorial Park.
The last time Mary Cheney Library was expanded was in 1962, and many have described the library as cramped and lacking parking and accessibility features.
Joseph covers East Hartford and South Windsor. He joined the JI in July 2021. Joseph graduated from the University of Connecticut and he is an avid guitarist and coffee enthusiast.
