Havre de Grace, Md., November 13, 2014 — Approximately 60 people attended the November 12 groundbreaking ceremony for the Havre de Grace Library renovation and expansion project.
The morning event began with welcoming background music performed by the Havre de Grace High School string band. Harford County Public Library CEO Mary Hastler welcomed the guests, and Alex Allman, chairperson of the library board, recognized the sponsors.
Guests included County Executive David Craig, County Executive-Elect Barry Glassman, County Council President-Elect Dick Slutzky, Councilman Chad Shrodes, County Councilwoman and Delegate-Elect Mary Ann Lisanti, Delegate Glen Glass, Havre de Grace Mayor Wayne Dougherty and APG Federal Credit Union President/CEO Don W. Lewis. Congressman C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger sent a representative who presented a certificate of special recognition.
After the remarks, a ceremonial moving of the dirt took place.
“The new Havre de Grace Library will provide customers with an environment unlike any other in the area,” said Mary Hastler, CEO of Harford County Public Library. “Everyone who uses it—children and adults—will find the new Havre de Grace Library to be a comfortable, welcoming place for the community.”
The Havre de Grace Library, located at 120 North Union Avenue, is more than doubling in size to meet the growing needs of the community. Among the additions to the new library is Schooner Cover, the children’s department that will provide innovative and interactive experiences and pretend play for children from birth to 5 years of age. APG Federal Credit Union is the title sponsor of Schooner Cove.
“We are proud to be part of another milestone in our community: breaking ground for the new Havre de Grace branch of the Harford County Public Library. What a pleasure it is, and thank you for the opportunity,” said APGFCU President/CEO Don W. Lewis. “This new library will be extraordinary, and it will be a destination for families. Our credit union is pleased to sponsor Schooner Cove, an adventurous center of learning for our youngest neighbors.”
Other Havre de Grace Library highlights include Lafayette’s Landing, a mezzanine-level space where older children can play, learn and interact with technology and participate in age-appropriate programming; expanded wireless Internet access and 10 additional computers; a designated business resource center; expanded shelving for print and non-print collections; additional space for quiet study, tutoring, computer training and library programming; and increased space for community meetings and activities.
The current Havre de Grace Library collection consists of more than 68,000 books and audio-visual items. The previous building was designed to house 30,000 volumes.
The architect for the new building is Manns Woodward Studios Community Architecture + Master Planning. Lewis Contractors serves as the project’s general contractor. The new building is expected to be completed in January/February 2016.
The cost of the new library is approximately $7.8 million, with funding provided by Harford County Government; Maryland State Department of Education, Division of Library Development and Services; County Public Library Capital Projects Grant Program; Harford County CDBG Program; and Harford County Public Library Foundation.
For more information, visit hcplonline.org.
