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$75K Grant Hits Goal for Branford's Campaign for Blackstone; December Ground-Breaking Set

As the Library prepares to begin its $5.2 million renovation project, the Campaign for the Blackstone has received a major gift from The Community Foundation for Greater New Haven, the region's largest grantmaker and permanent charitable endowment. The grant will allow the Blackstone Library to exceed its fundraising goal of $800,000 and break ground in December.

The $75,000 grant from The Community Foundation is in support of building renovations to increase accessibility, future programming and community access. Funding will be distributed over three years and was made possible through the 44-62 Fund. The name of the Fund refers to the exit numbers along the I-95 corridor that denote the local communities it benefits.

"We are thrilled that we can fulfill our pledge to the Town of Branford to raise $800,000 in support of the library renovation project. The success of Campaign for the Blackstone reflects generous support from our community, and recognition that the library will continue to grow and evolve as a critical community resource," said Robin Sandler, president of the library board of trustees.

Sandler went on to say, "...just because the Blackstone has reached its Capital Campaign goal, Capital fundraising will continue as any additional funds donated will enable us to fulfill its commitment to the Town to build and equip the space created and re-created by the renovation into a true 21st century destinational resource."

In April 2018, matching gifts from over 600 members of the community were received in response to a $100,000 challenge grant from the Branford Community Foundation.

The Connecticut State Library has also committed a $1 million construction grant toward the project, bringing the library's contribution to 34 percent of the $5.2 million estimated for the total project cost. The Town of Branford will provide the balance of the funding.

As the project moves forward, the Campaign will continue to raise funds for project enhancements. Capital campaign members are selling raffle tickets for an opportunity to name the upper rotunda art gallery. Tickets are $20; the winner will be drawn on February 1 at 6 p.m. at the library.

For more information on the project and how you can donate, please visit the library website at www.blackstonelibrary.org

REPORTERS NOTE: As previously reported, the project includes adding a 2,000 square-foot building addition at the rear entrance, using exterior limestone from the same Tennessee quarry which produced the library's original 1896 façade. The new entrance will be topped by a handicapped accessible vestibule with sliding doors, opening into a lobby with a circulation desk leading to the new children's and teen ground floor areas. The addition will also incorporate two new ADA-compliant public restrooms, and an outdoor terrace, accessible from the second-floor auditorium inside and stairs outside. Forty percent of the $5.2 million Blackstone library project consists of interior renovations. In addition to moving the children's/teen area to the ground floor, adult fiction will relocate from the ground floor to the library's upper level. More meeting spaces and computer stations will also be incorporated as part of the renovation project.