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Expansion and Renovation of the
Atwater and Smith Libraries

 

Work on the Smith Library has begun!

Update - View 3D model images of the new Edward Smith Library

On October 26, 2004, the Library Board, Town Council and Town Manager met to discuss our libraries' desperate need for growth. The Council directed the Manager and Board to study the libraries and come up with a specific plan. Board and Manager met over the next several months and produced the Strategic Plan for the North Branford Library System, which analyzed the libraries' strengths, weaknesses and future needs. On June 20, 2005, the Council, Board and Manager met again. The Manager presented details about the need for expansion, and reasons why expanding our two libraries would be the best solution if it could be done. The Town Council approved the Strategic Plan and directed the Town Manager to hire an architect to conduct a facility study and, in the end, plan for a building project.

Why Two Libraries?

There are several reasons why the Town Council, Library Board, Town Manager, and library staff would rather improve North Branford's two libraries, rather than close them and consolidate:

• The best location for a public library is in a town's residential and commercial center, near the people it serves and the stores, churches and other facilities they use. North Branford has two town centers, with two libraries in excellent service locations.
• Construction costs will be less to add on and renovate rather than to build a large new building. In addition, we can get more grant money for renovation than we can for new construction.
• Centralization of library service would not bring substantial savings in our annual budget. We can prove this by examining library budgets across the state.
• The majority of citizens prefer to keep their two libraries where they are. They just want the libraries to be bigger and better.

Do You Have Questions?

If you have questions, or would like a general update on our progress toward library expansion, please call either town library (Atwater 315-6020; Smith 484-0469) or email Library Director Robert Hull (rvhull76@yahoo.com). We will return your call or email with the information you request.