“All’s Well That End’s Well,” as the Bard of Avon knew so well, but even Mr. Shakespeare could not have anticipated the obstacles that have now been overcome by the library’s board and director as they planned the construction of the new Kids Corner.  After many unexpected delays, the groundbreaking for the new Kids Corner took place at the library at noon on Monday, September 23rd , and many well-wishers, including board members and library staff, were present. Attendees included Rebekkah Smith Aldrich, executive director of the Mid-Hudson Library System, along with Pawling Library’s director Chris Fisher, young adult program coordinator Maureen Meltzer-Mcgrath, children’s program coordinator Neena McBaer, adult program coordinator Donald Partelow, and library staffers Lisa Geocos and Celinda Gomez; library board of trustees president Amy Emke, vice-president Megan Burlington, treasurer Trinity Boscardin, and trustees Pauline Mansfield, Mary Ellen Ros, Stephanie Mclaughlin, Katy Fritts and Wanda Rusiecki. Also in attendance were Ed Hauser, project manager; and Susan Stone, former trustee and chair of the library’s Centennial Celebration.

Following the library’s commemoration of its centennial year, capped by its gala in May of 2022, where dollars were raised for construction of this library addition, unexpected roadblocks quickly emerged that were delineated in the online August Chamber of Commerce newsletter by library board president Amy Emke, who succinctly explained the reason for the two-year delay in construction. “In August of 2022, the library applied for a building permit from the Village of Pawling. Since that initial application was submitted, the library has been tied up in the permitting process . . . From questions to revisions to structural changes, library personnel have worked tirelessly to clear every hurdle they have come across, including an unexpected and expensive asbestos study.”

Ms. Emke particularly praised the efforts of Ed Hauser, who has shepherded the project through the many difficulties encountered prior to the groundbreaking ceremony. “Our library board is deeply grateful to our project manager Ed Hauser, who has been patiently guiding us through our two capital improvement projects.  Ed’s expertise and persistence have been invaluable to us as we’ve navigated both the permitting process and the building process.”

Considering all the needed construction preparation that has preceded the actual groundbreaking for the children’s space as well as the additional preparation and construction of the newly completed (and quite lovely) ADA restrooms, Mr. Hauser added, “The groundbreaking for the Pawling Library children’s room was a milestone for the library. The contractor, Vinco Builders, has made every effort to minimize disruption. The library staff has been great to work with, cheerfully willing to adjust to the construction activity around them. Chris Fisher, library director, has set the tone for the staff and patrons, finding ways to keep the library going in the middle of a construction site . . . The contractor, library staff, library director and library trustees are working together as a team, and that is the formula for a successful project.”

Now that construction has begun, with completion expected after the new year, it is anticipated that the new Kids Corner will be ready for the library’s littlest patrons before spring planning and programming begins. Envisioned with their special needs in mind, the room will feature a colorful mural of the great Dover Oak, which will be designed and painted by local Pawling artist Ned Reade. The library board will soon reopen its fundraising efforts with the hope that dollars raised will help with the additional costs associated with the unforeseen delays. Sale of personalized oak leaves, designed to be added to the mural as part of the oak’s expansive foliage, will be available for purchase again soon. Community members who are interested in adding their name or that of a loved one to a Kids Corner mural leaf may send Inquires to Chris Fisher at di******@************ry.org.

During the building process, there will be no public access to the courtyard, but library services will otherwise continue without disruption. Stay tuned for updates as the Pawling Library completes this much-awaited project.

–by Susan Stone