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April 19, 2011

Ribbon is cut on Ramsey library's $2.5M renovation

April 18, 2011

BY BARBARA BOUCICAUT
Ramsey Suburban News
Of Suburban News

RAMSEY - A new life emerged within an old building, as the community celebrated the grand opening of the newly renovated library on Saturday, April 16.

The revitalized 40-year-old space - enhanced to support today's technology - played host to library and borough officials and members of the community who all agreed: The $2.5 million renovation is impressive.

"This is absolutely stunning," said Councilwoman Vanessa Jachzel.

"This hall, with the light and the trees, is beautiful," said Board of Education trustee Claudia Monteith, gesturing toward the décor in center of the library, which includes raised potted plants. "It has a calming influence."

As visitors quietly toured the new space, teens and children gathered in their separate reading rooms, visible through glass walls.

In the quiet reading room, which faces Wyckoff Avenue, and features magazines and special acoustic ceiling tiles and flooring, a man sat reading a newspaper.

Borough residents Victor and Dorothy Sakal, who formerly lived in the borough, contributed funds to develop the reading room.

"We are beyond delighted," said library director Wendy Bloom who, prior to the ribbon-cutting thanked the library board, past and present borough officials, several organizations and individuals she said were instrumental in bringing the renovations to fruition. "The commitment of this borough and residents to this library is just wonderful."

Bloom specifically thanked the borough's Junior Women's Club, Women's Club, Friends of the Ramsey Library, the Ramsey Area Garden Club and the library's volunteers.

The groups and individuals, she said, believe in libraries and denied the notion that libraries are no longer relevant.

"It's all about the community that supports this library," she said.

Construction on the 14,000-square-foot building began last year. Wireless connectivity and double-glazed windows also were incorporated.

"It's a community effort, and we're excited to open a library of the future to our residents," Mayor Christopher Botta said after cutting the red ribbon. "It's such a community resource all our residents can be proud of."

According to Tom Dater, the borough's first library was established in 1908 by Anna Dater, his grandmother, and members of a public service group. Tom Dater later served as president of the library board when the current library was built in 1968.

As he stood near one of the library's book shelves, Dater said that when the library was built it represented the "top of the line." But, he joked, the space needed a "good dusting and cleaning."

"I think they did a wonderful, wonderful job," he said.

Library board president Emily Rennie said the architect opened up the space, and now visitors can see the entire library from all directions.

"I'm feeling great," Rennie said. "I feel like I can leave and my mission's accomplished."

The grand opening entailed special events throughout the day, including entertainment by Stretch the Silly Man, which Bloom called a "sure-fire favorite" at the library, as well as a theatrical reading and balloon sculptor.

E-mail: boucicaut@northjersey.com

Posted by tumulty at April 19, 2011 1:18 PM

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