Town library since 1904.
Mark Lovewell

Saying Farewell to Old Edgartown Library

<p>One chapter ends and another begins this weekend as the old Edgartown Public Library is closed to make way for the opening of the new town library.</p>

One chapter ends and another begins this weekend as the old Edgartown Public Library is closed to make way for the opening of the new town library.

The historic brick library on North Water street opened in 1904, one of almost 1,700 public libraries constructed with funding from steel magnate and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. After 112 years as the town’s library, the building will continue on as a maritime history and visitor’s center under the stewardship of the Martha’s Vineyard Preservation Trust.

The new library, designed by architect Celia Imrey, is the culmination of a multi-year town effort to open a larger library with more parking. The $11 million, 15,000-square-foot, two-story building will include a meeting space, study rooms and conference rooms, fast wireless connectivity and a room to house the library’s collection of historic documents and items. Richard Pomroy of Pomroy Associates was the project manager.

The old library will close for the last time at 5 p.m. on Friday, March 4. Friends and patrons are invited to meet on the front lawn at 10 a.m. on March 5 for a brief ceremony to commemorate the closure.

The ceremony will be followed by a walk over to the new Edgartown library site on Edgartown-West Tisbury Road, next to the Edgartown School.

Attendees are invited to park at the school parking lot, where the walk will conclude. A free shuttle will pick up attendees at the parking lot at 9:45 a.m. Saturday to take them to the old library for the ceremony.

Both libraries will be closed to the public until the move is completed and the new library is ready for patrons. Late fines on material due during the closure will be forgiven until the new library opens, which is expected to take place about three weeks from the closure. The opening date will be announced on the library’s website and Facebook page.

The rain date for the ceremony will be Sunday, March 6 at 1 p.m. For more information contact library director Lisa Sherman at 508-627-4221.

Comments

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/04/2016 - 14:43

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Gayle Turowski New York

I spent a lot of time in that little library every June on vacation. I will miss the small, welcoming atmosphere of a time gone by. Bigger is not always better but population usually dictates. Thanks for all those wonderful years!

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Fri, 03/04/2016 - 22:06

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Jennifer Stix Vineyard Haven

When I was young the library was.a five minute walk and a big part of my life. Remember all the exhibits at the entry? Some things shouldn't change. Oh well

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Sat, 03/05/2016 - 11:02

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Margaret Quinn Aquinnah

Was sorry to see the old library closing, but delighted that the structure will be preserved and used in a most honorable way. :-)
Also, I learned something new - about Andrew Carnegie providing the funds to build the library in 1904! Cool.

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