Dear Editor,
Some of my earliest childhood memories took place at the New Canaan Library. I adored attending the Teddy Bear Picnic on the front lawn (with my bear who proudly took home the Smallest Bear award), and spending hours browsing books in the Children’s Rooms.
When I learned of the plans to demolish the library, I was devastated. I couldn’t believe our town would allow a historical building to be knocked down and replaced with something new and flashy. I voiced my concerns and was encouraged to make an appointment at the Mirror House to learn about the project.
I was skeptical that my mind could be changed, but the tour at the Mirror House proved me wrong. Through Augmented Reality that cleverly details all of the thoughtful planning that has gone into the new New Canaan Library, and a virtual tour that goes behind the scenes with the architects and librarians I was able to see how beneficial this new library could be for our town.
One of the most important functions of a library is to provide a center for the community to gather and learn. The Mirror House tour illuminates the space constraints that our library currently faces. Many children who show up for story hour are turned away due to capacity restrictions, and the majority of non-profits in town who rely on the library for conference rooms are unable to reserve space for their meetings. The development of the new New Canaan Library has allowed the architects to design a space that will accommodate New Canaanites of all ages. Every detail has been carefully thought out, from collaboration rooms for teens to a sun-lit auditorium for author talks (a welcome upgrade from the current windowless basement). I was excited to learn about the plans for the library green, and I know the programming planned there will be a wonderful addition to the town greenspace events that we already love such as the Family Fourth and God’s Acre Caroling.
The new library will still honor our town’s history by paying homage to the Harvard Five, and there are also plans to integrate the iconic stones from the current library. If you are skeptical, like I was, I encourage you to make an appointment to visit the Mirror House and learn about the project. The new library will truly have something for everyone.
I look forward to continuing to learn more about the plans for the new library, and I wish the future generations of New Canaan many more years of events, like the Teddy Bear Picnic, on the new New Canaan Library’s green.
Best,
Emma Zaretsky
We can be FOR the “new” library and FOR preserving the 1913 original, an iconic Main Street landmark. It’s not one or the other.
Well said, Cam!
Many of us feel the same as you do!
The New Canaan Preservation Alliance, a 501c3 nonprofit entity, shares your devastation that the NCL would demolish a 3600 square foot gem of a building to make way for a lawn at the cost 2.5 million dollars. Please go to our website (newcanaanpreservationalliance.org) to see our feasibility study identifying multiple uses for the 1913 landmark building, our affordable rehabilitation estimate of $828,000 along with a building condition report indicating that the historic building is in great condition. The proposed NCL lawn is 2/3 of an acre and if 1913 stays in place the green space would still remain at about .57 of an acre. So as you can see, there’s no need to demolish the building. The Teddy Bear Tea can take place on the slightly smaller lawn and 1913 can stand in place for another hundred years as the most “green” and sustainable solution.
And especially since the 1913 Library building adds such charm to downtown, why would the New Canaan Library (or anyone) pay to tear down what could be an income-producing asset?
And if that demolition occurs to simply put in a “lawn” – in a high traffic area, across from a municipal parking lot and next to a gas station? Sounds like a lose/lose situation to me.
(Unless the end goal is to tear down 1913 and then eventually sell that parcel to a developer / investors who could benefit immensely from a corner parcel in a busy part of town with parking right across the street?)
By any chance does The Mirror House show the updated plans for parking ?
I agree with Cam,
The 1913 Bldg is beautiful and charming. It represents the history of New Canaan and it means alot to those of us who grew up here.
The forefathers of the town worked mightily to ensure that the early structures in the village of New Canaan would be protected and preserved throughout the passage of time. They were very wise to do so because it’s those buildings that make New Canaan special.