History
of the Killingworth Library
At
a meeting in January 1964, a group of about 20 residents voted
to start an adult library in a space in the Killingworth Elementary
School loaned by the Board of Education. It was to be an organization
separate from the school library with its own by-laws, policies,
and fund raising projects.
Volunteers built shelves and processed about 1,000 books donated
by neighboring libraries and town residents. The school library
loaned $25.00 and on opening night, April 16,1964, the hat was
passed collecting about $100.
Volunteers,
taught library procedure by the school librarian, ran the library.
More shelves, more books, more "open" hours and a story hour
for young children were added during the next year.
In
September 1965, the library moved into 2 upstairs rooms and
hall of the newly purchased Town office building. Shelves were
built only around the perimeter as the structure would not hold
the weight of the books in the middle of the rooms. The collection
now contained about 2,600 books.
In
January 1968 the library was incorporated, a private corporation
offering free library service to the town. On that basis it
was formally recognized by the Town of Killingworth and the
state of Connecticut. In 1969, the library received $600 from
the town. Fund raising projects, such as a very successful annual
antiques show, publication of The Birds of Killingworth, and
two cookbooks added to the treasury.
In
September 1972 the growing Library moved to the building at
the Killingworth circle that had at one time housed the Killingworth
Fire Department and had been the Central District School previous
to that. Extensive renovations were made. Volunteers from organizations
in town helped put the books in labeled boxes, move them out
second floor windows to the town's pay-loader, or down the steep
stairs to waiting trucks. Metal shelving donated by the Madison
Library were installed. The Lion's Club donated a desk and additional
bookcases were built.
As
the Library continued to grow, more volunteers were trained
and a part-time librarian was hired. In the 1980's, due to the
growth of the Library and the dangerous location on the busy
circle, a building committee was formed which looked into possibilities
of relocating to larger, safer quarters. In 1986 plans for an
addition to the existing little building with the exit placed
farther down Rt. 81 were drawn, but it did not receive sufficient
backing.
In
1992, the town decided to buy the vacant, former CBT bank building
on Rt. 81. The Killingworth Library Assn. contributed $35,000.
towards the purchase.
Over
several months the Building Committee members visited many libraries
around the state that had recently been built or had new additions,
to gather information. Nine architectural firms submitted tentative
plans of their ideas for the addition to the former bank. Tunney
Associates of Killingworth was finally chosen for presenting
the most reasonable and appropriate ideas.
Volunteers
solicited pledges from Killingworth residents who recognized
the need for this facility. The Library Board applied for and
received a grant of $350,000 from the State and the Town of
Killingworth voted to contribute $200,000.
Groundbreaking
took place on November 1994 and construction began. The doors
to the new library opened December 1, 1995 while finishing details
were being completed. The formal dedication of the Killingworth
Library took place April 14, 1996 almost exactly 32 years after
the Library originally opened. Many state dignitaries as well
as local supporters attended the ribbon cutting ceremonies.
