The photo shown is a rendition of the new Oneida Public Library.
(Oneida, NY – Dec. 15, 2013) The Oneida Public Library Board of Trustees announced the start of the public phase of its campaign to build a new facility between Main and Elizabeth streets. At a gala reception held at the Oneida Community Mansion House recently, library supporters gathered to celebrate reaching approximately 40 percent of the $5.5 million fundraising goal.
Eileen Kinsella, campaign spokeswoman, remarked, “We are so excited to be moving to the public phase of our capital campaign, the outcome of which will be the construction of a beautiful new library that will meet the needs of our patrons and community for years to come. This is something that the entire Greater Oneida community will be proud of. The support that we have received thus far and the enthusiasm that is currently growing exponentially indicate that this project will soon result in concrete evidence of its success. This spring, all will be invited to the ground breaking, another event you won’t want to miss.”
The Campaign Steering Committee is in place and has been working under the leadership of Brad Adams and Sue Miller, with John Reinhardt lending his expertise as financial consultant. The committee is making great strides toward reaching the 50 percent benchmark, since this will enable the library to tap into other possible sources of funding.
“We are excited by the strong response from the community,” Adams said. “A number of local foundations, businesses and individuals have put us within reach of applying for additional matching grant money available for library construction. We still have work to do, but it is encouraging that so many believe our library is a vital part of our community’s infrastructure.”
Architectural plans have been developed, and graphic illustrations of the future library’s facades are on display at the current Broad Street location.
Sue Miller, Steering Committee co-chair, noted, “The exterior of the beautiful new brick library with its crowning cupola will compliment the lovely Victorian neighborhood, and the interior will be able to take us well into the 21st century. While honoring the traditions of the past, it will serve the community’s needs in the present and provide ample opportunities for growth far into the future.”
Julia Marshall, an architect at Holmes, King and Kallquist and Associates, gave details concerning phase one of the site development and stated that bids for the required work will be sent out in the near future.
The current library building located on Broad Street has less than 8,000 square feet of usable space and a meeting room that seats a maximum of 30, while the architect’s drawings call for an 18,000 square foot facility boasting a community room that will seat 125.
In celebration of the library’s 90th birthday, plans are moving forward for an April 2014 groundbreaking.