“It’s beautiful, absolutely beautiful. It will be the jewel of Granby,” said life-long resident Carol Benson, who was checking out the new book aisles with her children Jacob, 10, and Nathan, 6.
More than a thousand attend grand opening ceremony of the new Granby Free Public Library GRANBY – In 1971 President Nixon was still fighting the Vietnam War, Flower Power ruled, and plans were first laid to construct a new library in Granby.
That vision and perseverance was realized Saturday -- when the Granby Free Public Library's grand opening took place. Under sunny skies and temperatures in the low 60’s, the more than 1,000 joyous onlookers who came to share the celebration applauded the accomplishment.
By acclamation, one woman was recognized as the leader of the extraordinary community effort.
Among the several speeches given, Select Board member Mary A. McDowall singled out the “person responsible for making it all happen. It would never have happened without the unwavering dedication of Virginia Snopek.” She has been chair of the Library Building Committee and is a long-serving trustee.
“Granby has shown dreams do come true, like the Red Sox,” Snopek told the crowd. “Together we can. The success is due to so many people that worked together.”
Snopek singled out three individuals for special praise: retired Police Chief Louis Barry who is the Select Board chairman; library trustee Renee Still; and Granby Highway Superintendent David Desrosiers.
“You led us with boundless energy,” Still said, tears in her eyes, referring to Snopek.
All of the speakers talked about the quiet and reflective space a library gives as an incubator to learning, growing and imagining.
Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners were present, including Janeen Resnick of South Hadley. She referred to the British fiction writer Neil Gaiman, who frequently stresses the importance of reading and imagination and the essential role of libraries in a free society. A recent Gaiman essay was titled "Why our future depends on libraries, reading and daydreaming."
“I love it that this library says Granby Free Public Library. It is so important to have that word” “free” there," state Rep. Ellen Storey, D-Amherst said.
“The aspirations of an entire community came together,” Sen. Gale Candaras, D-Wilbraham said.
Everyone was invited inside for a tour and refreshments when the ceremonial ribbon was cut shortly before 11:30 a.m.
“It’s beautiful, absolutely beautiful. It will be the jewel of Granby,” said lifelong resident Carol Benson, who was checking out the new book aisles with her children Jacob, 10, and Nathan, 6. She and her husband, Tom, have been married 15 years.
Homemade baked goods were served by Breezy Acres Farm. They included cranberry scones, muffins, doughnuts and cookies. Breezy Acres owner Evelyn Hatch said, "The library is beautiful, just beautiful. It took over 40 years" to get built.
Located at 297 East State St. on land donated by Alice and Fred Stewart, the 12,062-square-foot building replaces the one-room 1917 Carnegie building.
The library officially opens Nov. 19.
Grand opening of new Granby Free Public Library on Nov. 16 2013