Library hosts special event at Lewis Park
WARWICK-Approximately 150 guests enjoyed the picturesque setting of Lewis Park, the mild summer evening, refreshments and music during a special public education event last week for the Albert Wisner Library. Titled "Enriching our community, expanding your world, our vision for a 21st century library," the event was designed to inform and build support in the Warwick community for the library's long-term plans and goals. Following an update presented by library director Rosemary Cooper, Library Board president Donna Applegate discussed the library's future plans. "Our vision for a 21st century library is still very much a work in progress," said Applegate. "So our goal tonight is to share with you our progress to date and our plans for the future. We are here to listen and understand what you, the voters, would like to see in a new library." The Albert Wisner Public Library was built in 1927 to serve approximately 2,000 residents. Applegate said the library now serves almost 22,000 people with a collection of books that's less than half the recommended national standard. She argued that it was a misconception that the Internet would make libraries less needed because less than one per cent of the more than 110 million items in the Library of Congress has been electronically formatted. "And," she added, "a good library complements and supplements the educational system of our community and empowers our children by teaching them independence, self-initiative, and providing a safe place in which to learn and play." The Library Board of Trustees is waiting for Leyland Alliance to subdivide the 2.2 acres parcel of land on McFarland Drive. Ownership will then be transferred to the library. The board also has formed a new foundation to provide private funding through planned giving, private grants and charitable donations that will offset the cost to the taxpayers. Both state Sen. Thomas Morahan and Assemblywoman Annie Rabbit attended the event. Applegate thanked Rabbit for obtaining a state grant of $5,000 for the building fund. She also thanked Morahan for a previous $50,000 state grant and for a recent $35,000 grant. The chairperson of "Enriching our community, expanding your world, our vision for a 21st century library," was Joanne Graney. Honorary chair for the evening was Patricia Kiley. Contributors to the event included MJJ Builders Corp., Allied Excavating Inc., Warwick Car Wash, Gilsenan Kitchen Designs and Key Bank.