The newly renovated Abbot Public Library, a $10 million project, is set to open its doors to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, June 20, at 4 p.m.
Town Meeting approved an $8.5 million override for the renovation three years ago, and the Abbot Public Library Foundation raised another $1.5 million through private donations.
The project aimed to replace the failing infrastructure of the 20th-century building and transform it into a modern, 21st-century library.
“We are so pleased to invite the community of Marblehead back to the library at Pleasant Street,” said Abbot Public Library Director Kimberly Grad. “Abbot Public Library takes on a vital role in our town in the promotion of literacy and lifelong learning, the freedom to read what we choose, the pursuit of knowledge and trusted information resources, providing free, inclusive and adaptive spaces for gathering, and supporting civic engagement through collaboration and connection with our community.”
The renovations include:
— Three new small meeting rooms equipped with presentation screens.
— Audio-visual improvements to the event center and Carten Gallery.
— Accessible entrance to the courtyard.
— New makerspace and podcasting studio.
— Self-checkout kiosks at all three service points.
— Digital signage displays.
— Improved Internet connectivity.
— New security, fire alarm and fire protection systems.
— Centralized building management system.
— Four new gender-neutral bathrooms.
Grad will speak at the opening, along with board chair Gary Amberik and Marblehead state Rep. Jenny Armini. The Marblehead String Quartet will perform and Glover’s Marblehead Regiment will be there.
The renovation project was led by the Building Renovation Committee, which met twice a month throughout the duration of the project. The committee included Chair Gary Amberik, Vice Chair Ken Fisher, the late Nancy Perkins Arata, John Williams, Driftwood Garden Club Kathy Bradford, and Grad.
The renovated library will offer summer programming, including a summer reading program starting July 1 and the Marblehead Literary Festival featuring 20 speakers as part of the Marblehead Festival of Arts from July 5-7.
