Photos 6/7/2019 Courtesy Arlene Rhodes.
Photos 6/5/2019 Courtesy Arlene Rhodes.
Photos 4/30/2019 Courtesy Arlene Rhodes.
Photos 4/13/2019 Courtesy Arlene Rhodes.
Photos 4/2/2019 Courtesy Arlene Rhodes. Walls are painted!
Photos 3/12/2019 Courtesy Arlene Rhodes:
2/12/2019 Photos courtesy Bill Bateman from the Friends of the Library board members’ tour of the new building.
Children’s room off main part of library.
1/6/2019, Photos courtesy Richard Horsch, RA, of Butler Rowland Mays Architects, LLP
12/18/2018, Photos courtesy Richard Horsch, RA, of Butler Rowland Mays Architects, LLP
12/14/18 – Lots of progress! The roof is on, windows in, and electric power is connected!
12/1/18 – Putting felting on the roof. Next step, shingles.
11/17/18 – Newest photos, courtesy of Rich Horsch, of BRM Architects. Step inside for a tour!
10/31/18 – Looks like the library!!!
10/30/18 – Roof trusses being placed.
10/27/18
10/26/18 from the architect’s drone (Richard Horsch, RA, Butler Rowland Mays Architects, LLP)
10/24/18
10/19/18:
10/12/18 – Framing is underway.
10/3/18 – The cement floor has been poured and smoothed!
9/30/18 Ready to pour the the cement floor. Framing is scheduled to begin before the end of the week.
9/18/18: 9/10/18:
8/27/18:
Progress: 8/18/18
Press Release July 3, 2018
Galway, NY …The Galway Public Library held its official Groundbreaking Ceremony on Saturday, June 30, at 1110 East St. in Galway, future site of the library’s new building. In addition to an overflowing crowd of community members, the event was attended by Galway Village Mayor Bill Hyde, Senator Jim Tedisco and Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh. A representative from Stewart’s Shops announced that the company and the Dake family have donated $100,000 to the library’s New Building Fund. Sen. Tedisco has secured a $100,000 capital grant from the state as well. Julia Roy, of the Dockstader Charitable Trust, announced a grant total of one million dollars toward the new building, which is scheduled to open in the summer of 2019, and will officially be named the Dockstader Building of the Galway Public Library. Major gifts have also been received from the William Gundry Broughton Charitable Foundation, the Ballston Spa National Bank, the John Ben Snow Memorial Trust, the JM McDonald Foundation, the Galway Preservation Society and the Friends of the Galway Public Library. The Board of Trustees continues to seek grants, and encourages donations to the New Building Fund Drive, which extends through December 2018, to meet additional funding requirements.
See photos of the event on the Groundbreaking page.
Construction contracts for our new library building have been awarded to:
Hoosick Valley Contractors, Inc – Melrose – General Construction
Burniche Piping Inc. – Waterford – Plumbing
Collins Mechanical LLC – Stillwater – Mechanical
Current Electrical System, Inc. – Glenville – Electrical
Bid information concerning construction and sitework of the new library building was published in the Legals Classified section of the Gazette on April 9, 2018. Complete information is located there. Documents will be available for perusal at the library and at Butler Rowland Mays Architects in Ballston Spa. They may also be seen on revplans.com. The Pre-bid Meeting and Property Walk will be from 1-3 on Monday, April 16 at the Galway Town Hall. Bid Opening will occur on Monday, May 7 at 1 at Galway Town Hall.
The library’s new building project is progressing! At the Board’s Workshop Meeting on 1/3/18, the Board formally approved the final building layout/construction systems presented by Butler Rowland Mays Architects. See the images below!
We have a New Building Donation Form available to make it easy for you to contribute to your library’s New Building Fund. You may print the form, fill it out and drop it off at the library or mail it in. Thank you for your support!
BSNB presented a $5,000 check to Galway Public Library on Dec. 13, 2017 for the New Library Building Fund. The bank will contribute a total of $10,000 to the fund. BSNB is truly a partner with the library in providing service to the residents of the Galway community. The bank’s annual contribution to our Summer Reading Program during the past 15 years has benefited so many children. The gift to the New Library Building Fund will benefit everyone in our community. A huge thank you to BSNB from all of us at the library!
August 2017
The Galway School District Vote on the construction of a new Library Building was held on Wednesday, June 14, 2017. The referendum for the New Building was approved. The results of the vote: Budget: 537 yes votes, 306 no votes; New Building Referendum: 489 yes votes, 356 no votes.
Elected to the Board of Trustees: Jane Behrens, Arlene Rhodes, Kayla Dodds.
PROPOSITION #2: Shall (1) the Board of Trustees of the Galway Public Library (the “Library”) be authorized to construct a new Library building to be located on East Street in Galway, New York, including the acquisition of equipment, machinery, apparatus, appurtenances, site work and other improvements, and expenses in connection therewith, at an estimated maximum cost of $2,567,000, and expend such sum for such purpose; and (2) the Board of Education of the Galway Central School District (the “District”) be authorized to levy the necessary tax therefor, to be levied and collected in annual installments in such years and in such amounts as may be determined by the Board of Education; and in anticipation of the collection of such tax, issue bonds and notes of the District at one time or from time to time in the principal amount not to exceed $1,150,000, and levy a tax to pay the interest on said obligations when due?
The Galway Public Library is a vital center of the Galway community, providing learning resources, technological tools, programs, classes, meeting and public forum space. The current building is too small (only 1800 square feet) to meet the needs of services, programs and space. The library serves more than 7000 within the Galway School District, but can accommodate only 23 at a time, with parking for just five cars.
With the architectural firm, Butler Rowland Mays, we have prepared a conceptual design for a 5930-square-foot building that will become the social and informational center of Galway. The new library will be equipped with resources needed for lifelong learning. It will reflect the architectural heritage of the Village and be situated on East Street, Galway.
The Basics:
Building Size 5,930 square feet
Architects’ Estimated Total Project Cost $2,567,000
Bonded Indebtedness $1,150,000
Impact on Taxpayer, owning $200,000 Full-Market-Value Property: an additional $34/Year (includes extra operating costs in a new building)
Frequently Asked Questions
How close are we to having a new library . . . when will it be built?
- The land has already been purchased
- A referendum asking for the community’s support was approved on Wednesday, June 14, 2017
- More than one-third of the funds have been committed
- Groundbreaking is anticipated in the spring of 2018; completion is targeted for spring of 2019
How much will the entire project cost?
- Architects’ Estimated Total Project Cost: $2,567,000
How will it be paid for?
- The project will be funded from public and private sources. While many libraries fund their building projects solely through taxpayer support, the Galway Public Library has launched a vigorous capital campaign to raise a substantial share of the building costs, greatly reducing the impact on taxpayers.
- The breakdown is as follows:
- Bond approved by Galway taxpayers at the June 14,2017 referendum: $1,150,000
- Capital Funds, grants and pledges: $1,170,000
- Estimated Fund Drive, including furnishings: $350,000
How much more will I pay in taxes for the new library?
- For a taxpayer owning a $200,000 Full-Market-Value Property: an additional $34/Year (includes extra operating costs in a new building)
Has the library leadership made a financial commitment to the capital campaign?
- Yes. All members of the Library Board of Trustees and the Board of the Friends of the Library have pledged funds to support the capital campaign.
What if you do not raise the entire amount?
- We are committed to building a new library. Construction will not begin until all funds are raised.
What happens to the current library building?
- It will be sold after the new library is built.
What about staffing?
- At this time there are no plans to hire additional staff. The new library’s design enhances vision lines, enabling staff to observe activities in the library from a central location. Rooms not in use may be closed off. There will be greater overall efficiencies and access to work space for staff.
How will the program room be used?
- The program room will be equipped with the technology and accommodations to serve as a multi-function space. The library will utilize the space for classes, arts and crafts projects, performances, art shows and displays, tutoring, meetings, discussions and forums. When not in use by the library, the program room will be available to the community.
What is the overall benefit of a new library to the community?
- According to research conducted by the Pew Research Center, 95% of people believe a public library improves the quality of life in a community. Libraries are devoted to promoting literacy and lifelong learning and are specifically designed to offer the resources to do so.
- The new library will continue to offer the ability to borrow books, E-books, DVDs, and to be a place to find the answers to questions and research local history and genealogy.
- It will be a quiet, comfortable place to meet friends and colleagues, learn a new skill or polish an old one, view the local art/photo and history displays, or walk the nature trails.
Conceptual Plan for New Building Includes:
- Room for expanded collections of books and e-books
- Expanded children’s section and dedicated teen area
- A 45-seat multi-function program room available even when the library is closed
- More public computers and technology for presentations
- Comfortable seating with well-lit work areas complete with free wireless internet
- Space dedicated to the study and research of area history and genealogy
- Ample parking
- Outdoor area available for nature study and programming as well as recreation
A strong library is an investment in a stronger community, something from which we can all benefit.