BOARD OF LIBRARY TRUSTEES

What a year this has been! The dream has become a reality. Work on Phase One of the new Provincetown Public Library will be completed early next year, and in April, 2005, the dedication will occur, the doors opened to the public and the new larger space occupied.

Upon entering the main entrance – the Historic Front Lobby – on Commercial Street, one is greeted by the refurbished curving grand staircases leading to the Second Floor and the Mezzanine, or welcomed to the main First Floor. A gently curved entrance way between the staircases welcomes you to the Express Level of the Library, which includes the Circulation Desk, computer stations, Library Staff work areas and, in the rear, a spacious quiet Reading Room.

By accessing stairs or using the unique elevator on the West Side of the building to the magnificent Second Floor, you arrive at the Children’s Library. View the Rose Dorothea as it’s never been viewed before! Enjoy the vastness of the space with the restored vaulted ceiling. Travel up another level to the Mezzanine and enjoy the spectacular views of the Town and the Harbor from the Arts and Literature Tower Room, or look back into the building and another view of the Rose.

Many interested individuals have been following our progress by enjoying our Friday afternoon tours of the building – progress that has been achieved through weekly Construction Meetings. In attendance at these meetings chaired by Craig Gabri Project Manager for J.K.Scanlan, our contractors, have been the Scanlan Project Superintendent Mel Dishman; Perry Dean Rogers|Partners architect Warren Van Wees; DPW Director David Guertin and Deputy Director Sandy Turner; Clerk of the Works Bill Ingraham; Library Director Debra DeJonker-Berry; and two Library Trustees. We were fortunate to have Bill as our Clerk of the Works on the job daily overseeing all operations and making on-the-spot decisions.

Capital Building Campaign

The Trustees and members of the Capital Campaign Committee along with community volunteers, continued the pursuit of new donors and new funds for the Library Building Fund. The result for 2004 was an influx of an additional $267,466 to the ‘cash received’ line.

Reporting directly to the Trustees, the Campaign Committee is led by Trustee and Committee Chair Marcia Fair and Vice Chair Nancy Sirvent, along with former Trustee Arthur Pike, Trustee Sandy Fay, Supporter of the Library Carol MacDonald, and Lee Brenner and Murray Wax, both members of the Friends of the Library.

As 2004 drew to a close, the Committee reported a total Building Fund cash and pledge balance of $970,572 with outstanding pledges of $301,705 toward the $1.45 million private funding raising goal. At year end, records indicate that 1,157 individuals had contributed to the Campaign since it was launched in July, 2001, many having given multiple gifts over that time period.

In addition to generous contributions from Provincetown residents, contributions came from supporters all over that United States – 34 states in all – spurring the Campaign forward. This year, these individuals with deep ties to Provincetown – some part-time residents and some visitors – responded generously to the invitation to help see the Library building reconstruction and renovation project through to completion.

Of note were three Leadership Gifts received during 2004. The first was a cash gift of $100,000 from an Anonymous Donor to name the Historic Front Lobby. This was followed by a grant of $100,000 from Tom Bombardier and John Fowler to name the Children’s Library for their sons, Gerald and Henry Fowler-Bombardier. The final was an $85,000 gift from Michael MacIntyre to restore/reconstruct the Belfry in honor of Bob Anderson, Michael’s marriage partner. The announcement was made known to the public at the Third Annual Packard Gallery Reception held in September at the Gallery, made available through the generosity of Anne Packard.

It is with great appreciation that the Committee extends its thanks to each and every donor to this wonderful community effort to move the Library into one of the Town’s most historic buildings. The transformation of this beautiful 1860 building – a defining structure on our skyline – is breathtaking! We look forward to the opening in April of 2005, and to completing the several aspects of the building outside of the scope of this Project, including the Lower Level, the decorative façade, and the landscaping, among several smaller items.

Volunteers continue to be the mainstay of this Campaign, helping to give the new Project “life”.

In addition to participating in the annual YearRounders event, the Supporters and Friends continued to sponsor two very popular events – the Summer Book Sales, earmarked for the Children’s Library; and the Vintage Jewelry Sales, which helped underwrite Campaign expenses, assuring that every dollar given goes directly to building the new Library.

Besides the individuals mentioned above, the volunteers who made it all possible include Laurie Allen, Dana Berry, Lina Berry, Lee Brenner – a leader of the Friends of the Library, Lee Ciliberto, Laura Darsch, Sandy Fay, Bill Ingraham, Maghi Geary, Renee Gibbs-Brady; Joyce Guide, Holley, Jean Jarrett, Tanya Leighton, Carol MacDonald, Karen MacDonald, Sheila McGuinness, Bruce Moidell, Anne Packard, Leslie Packard, Arthur Pike, Lucille Plante, Paula Post, Laine Quinn, Robin Reid – President of the Supporters, Nancy Sirvent, and Murray Wax. In addition, pro-bono graphics were provided by Sally Brophy and Laine Quinn.

Special Thanks

A few special thanks go to all the Trustees for their tireless energies and efforts in overseeing Library policies and budgetary finances; especially to Arthur Pike who left the Board in May after three terms.

In addition, we thank the DPW Staff who have and continue to participate in several critical aspects of this Project; the friendly Staff and Volunteers of the Library who go out of their way to be helpful and courteous; the Friends of the Library for their support and funding of Children’s Programs and important “Wish-List” items; the Supporters of the Library for their continued financial underwriting of Campaign expenses; to Trustee Marcia and Library Director Debra DeJonker-Berry for their daily work on the Project – overseeing every detail; and to each and everyone of you for your support and contributions in making this dream a reality.

See you at the Grand Opening!

Respectfully Submitted,

James D. Cole

Chair