Front Page News
October 3, 2012
New Sign At Chesley Memorial Library
The Chesley Memorial Library now has a beautiful new outdoor sign
thanks to the support of the Friends of the Library, local business
owners, and many generous library patrons.
About three years ago, the library staff and trustees started
talking about the need for an outdoor sign to identify the library
and to advertise programs. The small sidewalk swinger sign was not
easy to read and not very resistant to the outside weather.
Having a new sign seemed like a good project to ask the Friends of
the Library to sponsor. At that time the Friends were busy
raising money to build new bookshelves at the library, but by the
fall of 2010 the bookshelves were complete and the Friends were
ready for a new project.
The active planning for the new sign started in January 2011 when
the Friends invited Linda Smith from Sign Spectrum to attend their
meeting. Linda presented two designs and the Friends were
immediately drawn to the design that included granite posts, a
peaked top to match the library, a solid dark background for the
main part of the sign with the library’s name in gold letters, and
tracks below the sign for messages.
Sign Spectrum would construct the main sign and oversee the
installation of the granite posts; Mark and Kit Lord from Lord
Carpentry would build the peaked top. The design was then presented
to the Library Trustees and fundraising discussions began in earnest
once the Trustees granted their approval.
The Friends sold puzzles, note cards, and baked goods; they worked
with Linda and Roland Smith to give out library prints to anyone
donating $100 to the sign fund; they held a large book sale/yard
sale; and they sponsored programs featuring local performers such as
Becky Rule and Cordwood. By the end of 2011, the Friends were
able to schedule the first phase of the sign: the installation of
the granite posts and the tracks for messages. At the
beginning of this year, the library was actually able to use the
sign for messages.
The Friends next initiated a “Buy a Letter” campaign where
individuals could donate $5.00 towards the purchase of the letter of
their choice. Fundraising efforts received a huge boost when
Curt Naleid from Chestnut and Cape generously offered to donate one
dollar for every dollar donated for the second phase: the main sign
and the peaked roof. In Curt’s words, “The library is a valuable
resource to this community and this great opportunity for
individuals and local business to show their support. We are
happy to be a part of it.” At that point, the remaining funds were
quickly raised and the Friends decided to unveil the sign during the
library’s open house to celebrate National Library Card Sign-up
Month.
The sign was proudly unveiled on Saturday, September 15, at 1:45 pm
amidst much celebration. Sarah Ramsey, president of the
Friends of the Library, thanked her fellow Friends, library staff
and trustees, and all of the local residents and businesses whose
contributions made the sign possible. The sign will identify the
Chesley Memorial Library and will enhance the library’s ability to
publicize events and programs for years to come.
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