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March 30, 2007

The New Darien Library

Harold W. McGraw, Jr., the heart, soul and spiritual father of the Library for many years, reached out to steady the hard hat of the youngest celebrant, Ryan Genovese, at the groundbreaking for the New Darien Library on March 11. In doing so he distilled more than 100 years of Darien Library's history, 50 years of service from a beloved and now outgrown building, seven years of planning, three years of design, two years of fundraising, and the spirit, support and dedication of many Darien residents, community leaders, Library staff and Board members into an image that will live forever.

From one generation to another

Darien Library is successful because it is a Library for each person in the community, from senior citizens to the youngest children. The existing building was a gift to the Town of Darien made under the leadership of Harold McGraw fifty years ago, still enjoyed by newer generations today.

The New Darien Library is a gift to future generations, made under the leadership of Kim Huffard and George Wyper, co-chairs of the Capital Campaign, with the guidance and support of Harold McGraw, and others such as Ann and Steve Mandel. Construction has now begun, and over the next eighteen months we'll be able to watch concrete poured and steel rise, brick and stone laid, glass and metal installed, trees planted, furniture and technology and finally, books, all come together in the Fall of 2008 at a Grand Opening.

And in between, more fundraising, and discussion of plans for new programs and events, quiet spaces to read, active places to meet and talk to friends, children's spaces, technology spaces, study spaces.

But for the moment, let's savor this image, an accomplished and thoughtful man, who has been at all four groundbreaking events in the history of Darien Library, the man "who almost single-handedly got the [first] library built" reaching out to a younger generation, and showing us all what it means to be great.

Posted by Alan Kirk Gray at 08:45 AM | Comments (0)

March 11, 2007

Groundbreaking

Kim Huffard, Louise Berry, Harold W.McGraw, Jr. and George Wyper

Elected officials help to break ground for the new library

The next generation digs in, with Mr. McGraw

What a fabulous event!

Posted by louise at 09:18 PM | Comments (0)

March 09, 2007

A picture's worth a thousand words

Thanks Alison, Cathy and Scott!

Posted by louise at 08:29 PM | Comments (1)