(Sept. 24, 2015) To launch its capital campaign to help pay for the new Berlin library, the Worcester County Library Foundation will lost a “BLOC” party on Saturday from 2-6 p.m.
Shorthand for Berlin Library, Our Community, the BLOC party will provide many in Berlin with their first glimpse of the new location, at the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Main Street.
“The purpose of this BLOC party is to introduce the community to this project,” said Howard Sribnick, a board member with the Worcester County Library Foundation. “It’s not primarily a fundraiser, although people will be able to contribute if they wish to and join the library foundation.”
While state and county funds paid for the initial development of the library – that includes the $430,000 the county spent to buy the 6.4-acre parcel of land – organizers hope to raise approximately $300,000 during the coming months to pay for amenities.
A grant by the Humphreys Foundation and contributions from the Town of Berlin completed the first phase of fundraising, while the BLOC party will officially open the public portion of the campaign.
The new 11,000 square-foot building, roughly three times the size of the old library, will feature additional space for community and performance groups, as well as more computers and WI-FI ports, a county history collection and an expanded area focusing on child and teen reading.
“This is going to replace a building that is 55 years old and inadequate for the town,” Sribnick said. “The current library is used beyond its capacity and we’re going to build a facility that meets the needs of the town by providing performance space and meeting space and gallery space, and the architecture will compliment the historic architecture of Berlin.”
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams, who will open the event, said the project is near and dear to his heart.
“I believe Berlin is really achieving a lot of things the last several years that have been long overdue, but probably no improvement in the community is more overdue and deserved than a new library that serves Berlin and our neighbors,” he said. “I feel very strongly about it, and I’m very pleased with the work that has been done so far.
“That said, I know that we’ve got to do a lot of work to do and I hope that the community will come out and show their support because it’s going to take every corner of the community to build the library that we truly deserve,” Williams added.
Additional scheduled speakers during the event will include members of the state delegation, as well as several county commissioners.
WWIIunes will provide live entertainment, with children’s activities including pony rides, a moon bounce, face painting and balloon animals also being offered.
Burley Oak Brewing Company will set up a beer garden, while additional vendors will sell kettle corn, ice cream, cotton candy, barbeque chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs.
“It’s important for the community to get behind this project,” Sribnick said. “We want everyone to support our new library because we’re going to need their support financially and we’re going to need their support with the county council. We’re looking for the people from the community that we’re going to affect to really come out and rally behind us.”
The event is free and open to the public, and will be held at the site of the new library, near the Waystead Inn.
The rain date is Sunday.
Shorthand for Berlin Library, Our Community, the BLOC party will provide many in Berlin with their first glimpse of the new location, at the intersection of Harrison Avenue and Main Street.
“The purpose of this BLOC party is to introduce the community to this project,” said Howard Sribnick, a board member with the Worcester County Library Foundation. “It’s not primarily a fundraiser, although people will be able to contribute if they wish to and join the library foundation.”
While state and county funds paid for the initial development of the library – that includes the $430,000 the county spent to buy the 6.4-acre parcel of land – organizers hope to raise approximately $300,000 during the coming months to pay for amenities.
A grant by the Humphreys Foundation and contributions from the Town of Berlin completed the first phase of fundraising, while the BLOC party will officially open the public portion of the campaign.
The new 11,000 square-foot building, roughly three times the size of the old library, will feature additional space for community and performance groups, as well as more computers and WI-FI ports, a county history collection and an expanded area focusing on child and teen reading.
“This is going to replace a building that is 55 years old and inadequate for the town,” Sribnick said. “The current library is used beyond its capacity and we’re going to build a facility that meets the needs of the town by providing performance space and meeting space and gallery space, and the architecture will compliment the historic architecture of Berlin.”
Berlin Mayor Gee Williams, who will open the event, said the project is near and dear to his heart.
“I believe Berlin is really achieving a lot of things the last several years that have been long overdue, but probably no improvement in the community is more overdue and deserved than a new library that serves Berlin and our neighbors,” he said. “I feel very strongly about it, and I’m very pleased with the work that has been done so far.
“That said, I know that we’ve got to do a lot of work to do and I hope that the community will come out and show their support because it’s going to take every corner of the community to build the library that we truly deserve,” Williams added.
Additional scheduled speakers during the event will include members of the state delegation, as well as several county commissioners.
WWIIunes will provide live entertainment, with children’s activities including pony rides, a moon bounce, face painting and balloon animals also being offered.
Burley Oak Brewing Company will set up a beer garden, while additional vendors will sell kettle corn, ice cream, cotton candy, barbeque chicken, hamburgers and hot dogs.
“It’s important for the community to get behind this project,” Sribnick said. “We want everyone to support our new library because we’re going to need their support financially and we’re going to need their support with the county council. We’re looking for the people from the community that we’re going to affect to really come out and rally behind us.”
The event is free and open to the public, and will be held at the site of the new library, near the Waystead Inn.
The rain date is Sunday.