POLAND Officials, workers prepare for new library's fall opening

By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
POLAND -- The new, larger Poland Public Library has existed on paper and in the minds of designers for more than five years. Now the finishing touches are being added to the building in anticipation of an early fall opening.
Janet Loew, communications and public relations manager, said work on the building, which is on Main Street in the historical district of the village, is progressing as expected and should be finished in late August or early September. She said the doors will open shortly after completion, once library workers are moved in and set up.
"Everything with the building project has gone very smoothly and very well," said Loew.
Raising funds: Loew said the building will cost a little more than $6 million. She said there is a $1 million fund-raising campaign under way to offset some of those expenses. The campaign has raised $730,000 so far.
The new facility is four times larger than the old building and will be complete with a children's activity area and computer work stations for Internet access and a meeting room that can hold up to 300 people. The building was designed by the 4M Co.
Library trustees bought the former Poland Union Seminary Dormitory adjacent to the building site and have incorporated that building into the new library's design.
Details: The building's exterior will include a clock tower and cupola, which library officials say will be the centerpiece of the new library. There will be areas that overlook the creek that runs along the side of the building and large windows.
The $100,000 cupola was a gift to the library from Peter and Randy Alexoff in memory of Kathleen "Kay" Alexoff. The 21/2- ton octagonal frame had to be built on the library grounds then lifted into position. When completed with windows and roofing, the cupola will weigh more than three tons.
Loew has said that library trustees have, for years, recognized that their was a need for a new facility to address the demands of growing community use and overcrowded conditions.