At a CT library, looking beyond two-year closure and into the future. ‘It is a piece of our mission’

The Hartford Public Library — which reopened its downtown branch in November after a devastating flood closed it for two years — announced Monday that it is launching a public campaign to raise a portion of $12.5 million, aimed at transforming the library’s main branch for the 21st century.

“This project is more than flood repair,” Bridget E. Quinn, the library’s president and chief executive, said, at a press conference. “More than renovation. It is a piece of our mission and reflects exactly what we are here to do: to build a public library that reflects and honors Hartford’s spirit, its creativity and how we serve our people and how we inspire future generations.”

The project, named “Restore, Renew and Reimagine,” is framed as a second phase to the roughly $10 million that was needed to repair the extensive damage caused by a pipe that burst on Christmas Eve in 2022.

Construction already has begun on some portions of the second phase and is expected to be completed in early 2026.

The plans call for a new social services center for community support services; a center to support businesses and entrepreneurs; a community event space for interactive performances and programs; and a community-focused media and content creation center.

In addition, The American Place,  a free program smoothing the transition of immigrants into the city, will move to the first floor to a more visible space. The services provided include free English and citizenship classes, internet access, and immigration legal advice.

The University of Connecticut’s regional downtown campus also will expand it relationship with the library in new community collaboration space, focused on innovation and entrepreneurship.

The library already is well on its way to reaching its goal with a $5 million state grant, $1.5 million in library funds and $4.3 million for major donors. The public campaign launched Monday seeks to raise at least $1.7 million.

The major donors include Beth and Rick Costello, Global Atlantic Financial Group,Hartford Foundation for Public Giving, Janice and David Klein, Margaret and Robert Patricelli, Gerri and Tim Sullivan, The Hartford and Travelers Cos.

The project would build on the library’s evolution that began in the 1990s, reflecting a cultural shift in the role of libraries well beyond a place to borrow books.

“No longer is it a book depository,” Shirley M. Surgeon, Hartford City Council president, said, in her remarks with other speakers in the lower atrium. “This library now is reimagined. Think about where you are right now. On a lunch break, about 11, 12 o’clock, what do we have down here? Yoga. Exercise. It’s amazing what the community library is doing.”

One example, Surgeon said, is the option to borrow movies on DVD.

“One of the things that I see when I’m at the library in the community, people are borrowing movies,” Surgeon said. “You know how expensive it is to have internet when you can go to the library and borrow a movie?”

Quinn said the library also lends DVD players, along with a host of other items. Those include fishing poles, cake tins and crutches, Quinn said. The library has partnered with Vision to Learn to provide free eye examinations for children and eyeglasses, if necessary.

The main branch of the library is seeking to move beyond its recent troubles with flooding.

The branch, at 500 Main St., suffered major water damage on multiple floors. Large sections of ceiling, flooring and sheetrock had to be replaced. Most furniture and fixtures in affected areas had to be discarded. The atrium staircase suffered structural damage and need repair to ensure safety. Areas open to the public were heavily damaged.

In an interview after the announcement, Quinn said the restoration of main branch after the flooding delayed the start of the construction of a new, $23 million branch on Barbour Street. But Quinn said she now expects work to begin by the end of this year.

An expansion of the Albany Avenue branch now isn’t likely to begin until 2027, Quinn said.

Monday’s announcement drew a lot of political attention including U.S. Congressman John Larson, Speaker of the House Matt Ritter, a Hartford Democrat, and Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam.

Gov. Ned Lamont said the library has a long, proud history, dating back to 1774, before the country was established. In its earliest years, the library was only open to those who could afford what was essentially a subscription, but by the 19th century, it was open to all, as a community resource, Lamont noted.

“The Hartford Public Library was one of the first to say, we do books but we also do community and a real leader there, with all the different kind of services we have here,” Lamont said. “Including citizenship classes and ways to say, ‘You’re welcome here in Greater Hartford and the state of Connecticut.’ ”

Ritu Paliwal Barna, said she and her family have formed a deep connection with the library ever since coming to Hartford from the Netherlands.

“My kids have practically lived in the library during the summer breaks and even beyond,” Paliwali Barna said. “I am amazed at the confidence that they have developed and the trust they show and the way each program helped shape them into better global citizens.”