Extreme Library Makeover

    When residents begin enjoying the rejuvenated Guilford Free Library (GFL) soon, one of the many people they can thank for the exciting and enviable public space is volunteer Tom Ginz.

    Tom’s library connection goes back even further than his 10-plus years as Library Building Committee co-chair. A GFL board member since the 1980s, he served on the search committee that hired the library’s dynamic director, Sandra Ruoff, in 1987. In 1997, Tom was a founding member of GFL’s Long-Range Planning Committee.

    “We wanted to look at what we needed to do with the building to take it into the future. We came up with a plan to increase programs, staffing, and space. From there, we created the Library Expansion Committee,” explains Tom, a resident with his wife, Norma, since 1980 and second-generation owner of Seal-Tite, a Milford roofing company.

    The Expansion Committee evolved to become the Library Building Committee, which Tom was asked to lead with co-chair Noel Hanf (whom Tom praises for navigating legal and financial needs). Tom and Noel also co-chair the Library Steering Committee in charge of fundraising for the project.  Other key project players, among many, have been local architect and Library Board President Fred Vogt, board member Joan Shrewsbury, and Library Director Sandy Ruoff, says Tom.

    Last week, as workers finished installing recessed lighting and other interior details, Tom took a pint-sized seat at one of many kid-scale tables furnishing the new Children’s Room, then pointed directly overhead.

    “You see that seam? That’s the transition between the old building and the new building. We’re sitting right under it,” he notes, adding, “the original plan called for the addition to have a full basement.”

    Back in 2005, Tom and company succeeded in bringing to referendum a request to fund the original plan for the library expansion. It was turned down by voters.

    “The morning after that defeat happened, everybody was down,” says Tom.

    Everyone, that is, except iconic retired Guilford librarian Edith Nettleton, now 100 years old and still volunteering at the library.

    “When I walked into the library, Edith said, ‘Why are you so down? Get your chin up. We’re going to build a new library!’ She was here when the building opened in 1933, she built the addition in 1977 and now she’s here for this,” says Tom.

    Tom says the committee realized residents balked at the original plan’s $8 million price tag, even though the library had committed to raise $1.1 million and would receive another $500,000 in state funding.

    “We retained the architect and revised our plans. We took out the [addition’s] basement and the connection to the Lathrop House. By taking that out, we reduced the price by $3 million. We didn’t reduce our fundraising commitment of $1.1 million.”

    After vetting, the revised plan went to referendum in 2006 and was passed. The job was ready for bidding in April 2007; at which point, Tom’s role changed to construction point-person. Tom well remembers how his one-year, start-to-finish goal seemed daunting to others.

    “They said, ‘It’ll never happen.’ I said when we broke ground in August of 2007 that we’d re-open when the schools open in 2008. We’re going to miss it by just a few days.”

    This Thursday, Sept. 4, a Sneak-a-Peek Library Building fundraising event will prove Tom’s words. The building will then open to the public shortly thereafter, on a September date to be announced, says Ruoff. Tickets to the Sept. 4 event will help raise funds needed to cover the gap remaining in the library’s pledge to raise $1.1 million ($824,000 is already raised).

    Tom attributes the speed and quality of Guilford’s extreme library makeover to the experience of architectural firm Tuttle and Wells (more than 40 library buildings to its credit) and Connecticut building contractor Enfield Builders, the project’s low bidder.

    “I now realize there is no other firm that could have done this like they did. No matter what we ask, they do it. We’ve never had a cross word,” says Tom.

    And ask he did. For example, while knowing fall isn’t a traditional time to break ground, Tom told Enfield he expected the new addition to be erected within a few short months.

    “My idea was to build the new addition and have it closed in by the winter, and they did it.”

    Inside work in the new and gutted buildings continued through early August 2008, when the staff began moving books back from the temporary library space on Carter Drive. In the past few days, changes inside have been dramatic. Paint schemes have come together, carpeting installed and new furniture, new equipment and more technology moved in.
Tom says his favorite new library space is the Children’s Room, opposite the first floor lobby. Wide and spacious, the sun-lit room stretches to incorporate a huge play area with a full-scale cottage playhouse and even a coffee bar for parents.

    “The Children’s Room is unbelievable. Everybody I talked to said they loved the old library and that they hoped we weren’t changing it too much. I think they’ll be pleased.”

    For his part, Tom’s pleased to have been of service.

    “We came in on time and under budget…I’d do this all again, in a second.”

Guilford Free Library’s “Sneak-A-Peek” fundraiser is Thursday, Sept. 4, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., 67 Park Street. Preview the new library and enjoy music, libations, and food. Drop-ins welcome; tickets $50 per person, all proceeds benefit Library Building Fund. For more information call 453-8282 or visit www.guilfordfreelibrary.org.

Pictured: Even before he signed as co-chair of the Library Building Committee more than 10 years ago, Tom Ginz was devoted to the library and has served as a board member since the 1980s. His experience with his own roofing company served the town well as he oversaw construction of the new library addition and complete renovation of old spaces, within just one year’s time.

Photo by Pam Johnson