PHOENICIA – The Phoenicia Library, which has been closed since
a March 2011 gutted the historic 19th century building, has been reopened.
The building suffered fire, smoke and water damage and destroyed the 12,000
books and other items in the facility.
The $800,000 rebuilding included an addition expands the library from
its former 1,895 square foot size to 3,235 SF, said Library Director Elizabeth
Potter.
“We had done a town survey in 2007, prior to the fire because the
space was very small in the building, and we had asked the community.
We were thinking of relocating possibly to somewhere on the highway that
runs through town,” she said. “The community really wanted
to have us stay on Main Street so we decided that the best thing was to
use this building and then go for an expansion off the back so we could
accommodate a children’s room and a meeting room.”
Patrons enjoy the newly re-opened library (Photo by Carol
Seitz)
Funding to restore the historic structure at 48 Main Street in Phoenicia
came from one-third each state grants, insurance funds and local donors.
Within a week of the fire, the town offered the library a vacant building
with local members of the community donating thousands of books.
