I was encouraged by the New Library Committee and the Brookfield Library Foundation to write to you expressing my support for a new library here in Brookfield.
Allow me express my concerns about this project moving forward as it was presented. Our community of Brookfield has had the opportunity and has been discussing the desire to build a new library. I support building a new library. The current structure does not meet the needs of our town.
I do not, however, support building a 35,000-square-foot structure on the site of the present Horse Field. Let me preface this by stating that there is a $1 million grant from the state that expires in March of this year. That grant has been available for several years and the Library Foundation has requested numerous extensions for this grant. They have run out of extensions.
More than a decade has transpired and now, at the “eleventh hour” we have a plan to build a picturesque and grand structure that offers the people of Brookfield not only what a traditional library offers, but one that offers many additional benefits, such as a Maker Space, individual conference rooms, and a children’s learning area. They are asking you to consider spending $14.7 million for the new library building, and also suggesting that we bond for an additional $300,000 to replace Horse Field.
I asked the Library Committee how much they have raised to date at a prior Board of Finance meeting. I’m very proud of our Whisconier Middle School students and commend them on their contribution to this effort by selling what I believe was called Slime. That contribution is a far cry from the $1 million the New Library Committee forecasted to be donated. And think of how many years they’ve had to raise these funds.
As I stated earlier, I support a new library. Perhaps on the land between the Senior Center and the pump house on the land that was formerly the Ptak family residence. The building should be well thought out with consideration given to a learning space for young children to encourage them to be lifelong readers. The building should be scaled for that location. A small parking lot for the handicapped should be provided close by, while the adjacent Town Hall parking lot would provide ample parking for everyone else. As an additional bonus, parents would have a one-stop opportunity to take their children to both the new library and the recently renovated Kid’s Kingdom.
In the many extensions of the grant offered to Brookfield, it’s a shame that a more feasible and cost effective design was not presented to the people of Brookfield at least five years ago.
Rob Gianazza is a resident of Brookfield.