Pictured are Kathy Salitan (left) and her daughter Chelsea Salitan (right) looking at a book next to one of our new bookcases on wheels.
By Liz Metzger, library director
(Canastota, NY – Sept. 27, 013) The Canastota Public Library was the fortunate recipient of a very generous anonymous monetary gift over one year ago. This gift came with no strings attached and was the impetus for renovating the second floor of the Library where our children’s collection is located.
So, in late July and throughout the month of August, our second floor was closed to the public. Carpet from the 1980’s was torn up to reveal the original hardwood floors which have been beautifully refinished. The walls have been painted a soothing pale green with cream colored baseboards and trim. The decorative window transoms that are part of many Carnegie Libraries have been left uncovered to showcase their design and let in more natural light. Library tables have had wheels installed on their legs so that the space can be reconfigured to meet the needs of library programs or groups that gather here. New wooden bookcases on wheels were purchased to replace 1970’s metal shelving for the juvenile fiction books. Window seat bookcases are currently being built out of our old plywood shelving.
During our planning stages last winter, we received other unsolicited monetary gifts and we asked the donors if their dollars could be used for our children’s room project. Shirley Thomas stepped forward as a major monetary donor and additional donations of varying amounts were given by Nancy Pulverenti, Donna and Kyle Gustin, Jessica Moore-Collins, Canastota Friends of the Library, Canastota Knitters, Library Bridge Club, Columbian Club and Canastota Retired Teachers.
A quilt made and donated by Shirley Thomas, a basket of donated DVD’s and a basket of children’s books were raffled off last winter and spring. The proceeds of all three raffles were donated to the Children’s room renovations.
In addition, memorial donations for James White will be used to purchase a new lighting fixture in the 2nd floor alcove.
Our historic library building, a local architectural jewel, has faithfully served the community since 1903 and with this recent facelift; it is in great shape to continue doing so far into the future. We are very grateful to all donors for making this possible.