STONINGTON A major milestone was marked in Stonington earlier this month during a ceremonial groundbreaking.

While dozens of people looked on, Allegra Griffiths and Denise Easton co-presidents of the Stonington Free Library's board of trustees together raised a shovel to break ground for an addition to the library, the first step in making the building fully accessible and up to date in its technology.

When the addition is complete, the library on High Street will have a new ramp, new entrance, new elevator and new restrooms on both levels, all in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

There will be better access to all areas of the library, including the children's room, which is on the lower floor, said Library DirectorBelinda de Kay, as she walked through the library recently explaining the expansion plans and discussing the necessity and evolution of libraries.

Additionally, she said, thanks to a $58,805 grant from the Connecticut State Library and the Universal Service Schools and Library Program, the library will install a fiber optic connection to help expand digital services, including upgraded high-speed internet.

"It's been a slow process, but a good process," said a smiling de Kay. "It was slow but it's a process that works. It was important getting opinions. We all worked totally together. Everything we're doing came from community focus groups."

"Now, we have growing pains," she added, still smiling. "And they're wonderful growing pains."

De Kay said that the project began in earnest about four years ago and involved soliciting opinions from patrons of the library and Stonington residents and involving them in the strategic planning. The exercise, in "self-assessment and community engagement," was enlightening, de Kay said, and gave library leaders a blueprint for how to most effectively serve the people of Stonington.

More than 600 people responded to a survey and more than 100 attended six focus groups for in-depth discussions. Throughout that process, library leaders learned that the library "along with the helpful, welcoming staff, is much-loved, and essential to their quality of life."

They also learned that residents wanted and needed more from their library.

Easton said, "The community wanted more access to everything, more programs, services and hours." It turns out, she added, "we are valued now more than ever."

"We are dependent on and grateful for this community," Easton said. "I think about that every day."

De Kay said, "It's been wonderful getting to know people," and wonderful, too, learning how much the library means to people. "In a way we've become a library without walls," she said. "With our wonderful website people have 24 / 7 access, and we have a branch library at the Pawcatuck Neighborhood Center and [one] at Stonington Human Services."

"It's areally nice outreach to our neighbors and a popular volunteer opportunity," de Kay said. "We alsomaintain four Little Free Libraries in and around the Borough, another collaboration with the Stonington Village Association."

Although libraries have changed enormously over the years, de Kay explained as she greeted a regular patron who was seated in a leather chair reading a newspaper in a quiet corner, some things have remained the same.

Yes, people want a place to plug in their laptops so they can sit and work in peace, she said, but there are plenty of people who come to read magazines, books and newspapers, and many more who come to check books out.

"We have a well-cultivated new book collection," de Kay said in her pleasant British accent. "And a 'Golden Oldies' section too."

"The really, really important thing about libraries," she said, "is that all people are welcome here. As long as you don't disturb others, you are welcome and you are treated with respect."

Construction of the addition, on the east side of the building, should take about six months, de Kay said, followed by the refurbishment and renovation of the interior.

G. Donovan Associates Inc., of Lebanon, Conn., is the general contractor, and the architect and interior designer is a West Hartford firm, dewright design LLC.

The interior work, Easton said, will free up an additional 525 square feet of floor space in the existing building, for a total of 1,250 square feet of new usable space. "More flexible" contemporary furniture will also be installed furniture that can be easily folded up to make space for meetings and gatherings.

"I'm very keen on the idea of the second phase and the repurposing part," said de Kay, explaining that the changes will "open it all up." After all, she added, the library is a space open to everyone, and everyone should feel at home.

Although people can become anxious about construction projects and change, de Kay said, they can rest easy about the new addition. "The architect has designed the addition so it will look as if it's always been there."

Easton concurred: "Six months from now, nobody will even notice."

Griffiths, who describes the library as "a lovely place to be involved" said she was thrilled to see tangible signs of progress.

George Sylvestre,who serves as co-chair of the building committee, along with Easton, said, "As a former trustee and past president of the board I am thrilled to see this project becoming a reality."

"It's long overdue," said Micayla Hall, the library's assistant director. "It will help open up the space we have and make us more flexible for the community. Just what a library is for."

"We're just so grateful to everyone for all the collaboration," she added.

"The work being undertaken now will insure that it will be able to welcome anyone who wishes to take advantage of its many offerings, regardless of physical limitations," added Sylvestre.

"And now, we'll have an accessible elevator and new ramp and a new elevator," saidde Kay, "all to improve access for all members of the community."

"It's amazing what you can do," she added. "When you have all sorts of wonderful people working together."

nbfusaro@thewesterlysun.com

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Stonington Free Library expansion aims to satisfy the need for 'more' - The Westerly Sun