Stamford Library Explains Building Project
By Liz Page
STAMFORD – Members of the the Stamford Library Board of Directors and staff have been making the rounds recently to remind municipal leaders of who uses the library and the many services it provides, not just to the Stamford community, but well beyond.
They have also been explaining the reasons for building a new library. The new library will be located in what is now a vacant lot on West Main Street at the intersection with Lake Street. A recent grant will allow them to begin clearing the site next spring.
The library was chartered in 1907 and its home has been in the Churchill Building, located at 117 Main Street, where they are outgrowing their space. That lack of space has been hindering their ability to provide some services.
The small rural library had more than 11,000 visitors this year and boasts 1,359 card holders. The library collection includes printed materials, DVDs, games, puzzles and more, in addition to electronic materials. They are also a part of the Four County Library System, which increases those offerings dramatically.
Although the 2024 figures have not yet been compiled, Erika Eklund, director of the library, said the numbers have increased from last year. Material circulation included 5,589 adult fiction and nonfiction books, 3,885 children’s fiction and nonfiction books; 2,141 DVDs, games, puzzles Tonie boxes and the like where checked out of he library. Add the 2,833 ebook and digital resources, for a total item circulation of 14,448.
Most people know you can check out a book at the library, but there are now a myriad of programs to peak almost any interest, such as the garden discussion group, writers group, adult literature discussion group, knitting club, homework club, adult computer and digital access assistance. Anyway, there are 119 programs for children or adults, 148 for adults and all ages, with a total of 2,573 total program attendance. Library officials agree that people are using the library more. Special events, such as workshops, how-to demonstrations, sewing, breadmaking and more are all offered, along with children programming and story times.
Millie Faulkner, the library treasurer, likes to correct a misconception some people may have about he charges that appear on the Stamford Central School property tax bill. She said it is for salaries and maintenance of he library, no taxpayer money will go toward building the new library. Eklund explains that the community gets a $5.29 return on its investment. There are costs for programming, professional services, insurance, library material and payroll. It also receives local public funds, donations and fundraising, grants and an endowment transfer. She is kept busy writing grants.
The new building, which is estimated to cost $4 million, will come from fundraising and grants. They will begin pushing the fundraising effort this fall. The new building is needed because they do not own the current building, which needs repair. They can’t pay for repairs on a building they don’t own, explainedFaulkner. Eklund said having ample parking that will make it much safer for attendees. Currently people must get out into Main Street traffic and in a the winter time when there are snowbanks and it is very difficult for the elderly to scale those snowbanks. Parking will be convenient and easy, without the constant stream of traffic.
The library space will be doubled and will house a community room accessible 24/7, a teen room and children’s library.
Eklund said the plans call for a geothermal heating and cooling system that should make it more energy efficient. Plans are to have the new library online by late 2026 or early 2027. For more information, you may visit stamfordlibraryny.org.
They are writing grants and have received more than $700,000 so far in fundraising. However, they cannot build the new library until they have all the money in hand.