Remarks by Betty Chelmow

Representative Galvin, Senator Joyce, Commissioner Bornheimer, Board of Selectman, Town Officials, staff and friends of the Canton Public Library

Presentation of the last two books to be moved from Draper Mills to the Canton Public Library by Edward J. Lynch presenting Huntoon’s History of Canton and Benjamin Chelmow presenting the Massachusetts Children’s Book Robert McCloskey’s Make Way for Ducklings

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Good afternoon ladies and gentlemen. We meet today because dreams do come true. Let us celebrate your library and the opportunities it provides for education, enrichment, and recreation.

My name is Betty Chelmow. I am chairman of the Board of Trustees. It has been my honor to represent this Board throughout the design and building process. I represent the most amazing board. Their ability, imagination, and commitment have led the way to this day of dedication. I am so pleased at what we have accomplished. This project represents the best of government and community working together. I would like to introduce the Board of Trustees.

Susan Cogliano, George Comeau, Marcia Connors, Al Cronin, Nancy Mark, Peg Mead, Liz Parker, and Vin Shea

Director Mark Lague and the entire staff of the Canton Public Library are now held in even higher esteem. The staff moved and moved again always maintaining their welcoming spirit. Every effort was made to maintain services. Books circulated, the meeting room was full, and research continued. Story hours and craft activities were held and children and adults were served at the Draper Mills. I would ask the staff to raise their hands for a well deserved round of applause.

This project was a partnership between the public and private sectors. Almost $ 450,000 was raised to help offset the many costs of this project and support the public library. The Bank of Canton stepped forward and supported our efforts with a pledge of $100,000 even before we had passed muster at Town Meeting. They were joined by the Salah Foundation’s matching grant that served as a challenge to the community. We also wish to acknowledge with deepest appreciation the generous gift of the Frank R. and Elizabeth Simoni Foundation that helped us to establish a unique area for young adults. The gift of the Kessler Family enabled us to restore the historic lay light dome in Founder’s Hall. The bequest of former Trustee Edward Bolster enabled us to furnish and endow the room that now bears his name. This room will house Canton’s historical collection. It was the generosity of numerous private and corporate donors that helped us to meet our goal.

The Trustees are pleased to announce the formation of the Canton Public Library Foundation. This Foundation will enable the Trustees to help meet the future needs of this historic and treasured institution. We wish to gratefully acknowledge the following donations. The Foundation has already received a bequest from Margaret Weiss, and generous donations from Irene Kelley and Draper Brothers. Thank you for encouraging us and believing in our mission. Our fund raising efforts will continue as we continue to serve the needs of the community.

The Gala, Auction, Bolster Book Sales, and Teddy Bear Picnic were events made possible by the work of more than one hundred forty volunteers who donated their time, effort, and skills. We deeply appreciate the hard work and support of so many groups and clubs including the Friends of the Canton Public Library, The Canton Art Association, The Canton Garden Club, and Canton Lions. Without their hard work and support we would never have been able to meet our goal.

There are a so many people who deserved to be recognized today. Unfortunately time allows us to mention only a few. The Library Building Committee worked in close association with the Building Renovations Committee, Chaired by Bob McCarthy throughout this project. We extend our sincere thanks to Chuck Amando, who chaired the Library Sub Committee and Clerk John Arena. Would the entire Library Building Committee and Building Renovation Committee please raise their hands to be recognized?

From the initial design phase, Architects Richard Smith and Frank Adams helped developed the library plans in concert with an amazing team including Architect Ed Bourget and the interior design team led by Jennifer Miller at Burt Hill. They understood and interpreted our goal of fully restoring the 1902 Carnegie style library and blending it with our extraordinary new addition. We have met with them weekly for almost two years attending to the smallest detail. Would the staffs of Stahl Associates and Burt Hill please raise their hands to be recognized? Our General Contractors, BBC, led by Bob Brait and assisted by Mike Galvin oversaw the numerous subcontractors who completed this job ahead of schedule. Imagine that for a public project! Hundreds of workers served on the job under the watchful eye of Clerk John Dillon. BBC also constructed and donated the beautiful outdoor amphitheater. On behalf of the children of Canton we wish to thank them. Would the Staff of BBC please raise their hands to be recognized?

I must take a moment to tell you about our weekly Friday construction meetings. Chuck Amando, Al Cronin, and clerk John Arena represented the Town of Canton Building Renovations Committee; Mark Lague, George Comeau, and myself representing the interests the Canton Public Library. Bob Brait, Mike Galvin, and clerk John Dillon represented BBC, the general contractors. The ultimate responsibility for the weekly work of the project was that of Architect Ed Bourget. We were often joined by numerous tradesman and vendors each with his own concern and problem. This was also a very productive year as we followed the birth and development of two babies born during the project, a daughter to Ed Bourget and a son to Mike Galvin. Each party was deeply committed to the project and working together. My thanks to you all of you for being generous teachers and taking such pride in your work.

Mark Lague, our Library Director, wrote the Massachusetts Commonwealth Library Grant that brought 2.6M dollars from the Commonwealth to the Town of Canton. He developed all moving and relocation plans on his own time at home. His leadership and willingness to work with so many individuals and committees helped guide us through this long process. Mark is one of the most warm and considerate people that I have ever met. He is fair minded and respectful of others. His willingness to learn about so many new things in such detail and take on the full responsibility of this project is unprecedented. It is my pleasure to introduce the Director of the Canton Public Library and my friend, Mark Lague.

George Comeau, introduction:

Trustee Building Committee Chairman, George Comeau used his extensive knowledge and experience of working with town boards, committees, and Town Meeting to guide this historic project through the countless hours of meeting and required reports. Rarely was the entire Board of Trustees not in attendance to support his efforts. His love of Canton and its history assured the preservation of the 1902 Hemenway library. Our new addition contains the most up to date design, materials, and technological equipment available. Together the building would honor the old and respectfully look towards the future. His friendship and good humor made the whole process a joyous one.

I’d like to acknowledge the presence of District Representative, Jim Gordon, representing Congressman Stephen Lynch

Representative Bill Galvin

Senator Brian Joyce

Deborah Hill Bornheimer, Commissioner, Board of Library Commissioners

Victor Del Vecchio, Chairman Board of Selectman

Robert McCarthy, Chairman of the Building Renovations Committee

On behalf of the Board of Trustees, I wish to thank Co.- Chairman and Trustee Peg Mead and Mary Jane Mangan for all their hours of effort and leadership in making the Gala and Dedication such great successes. None of this would have been possible without the sub committee chairs and 140 volunteers who supported them. Would all the volunteers please raise your hands? Well deserved applause.

The very backbone of this effort has been the support of all our spouses and families. For many years Mark’s wife Sue Lague, George Comeau’s wife Patty Mc Dermott, and my husband Larry have given us the time necessary to undertake this project. Because of their love we were able to imagine the possibilities, and make dreams come true.

On a personal note, I feel today very much as I did when I sent our children off to kindergarten. I was filled with pride, a little sad, and very hopeful for the future. I hoped that my children’s school would recognize that this was a unique adventure and educational opportunity. Just as the school system received my children, I hope the community will receive this library and recognize the effort that has brought us to this day. A library and school both hold education as a key to opportunity. Our children’s future as well as the library’s future, will be guided by the community that nurtures and supports them and the friends they meet along the way.

Would you be kind enough to join us for the ceremonial ribbon cutting in Founder’s Hall?

Thank you.