December 27, 2022 By Carol Britton Meyer
Plans are underway to create an outdoor programming space at the Paul Pratt Memorial Library on the Sohier Street side — including an amphitheater, a large patio with a pergola, and landscaping upgrades — for the enjoyment of the entire community.
After winning unanimous support at the recent Special Town Meeting to allocate $125,000 from Cohasset’s available Community Preservation Act funds toward the project, the Cohasset Library Trust is leading a major fundraising campaign to secure another $200,000 — about half of the total cost — to construct “The Pavilion.”
“I’m overwhelmed by the show of support, from the Special Town Meeting vote to all of our stakeholders — including the Trust — to the overall community,” Library Director Meaghan James told the Cohasset Anchor. “We’re really excited about what’s to come. This new programming space will elevate the visual profile of the library and show how busy we are. It looks so quiet from the outside, but inside, the library is a beehive of activity!”
The total project budget is about $400,000, including property preparation, landscaping and hardscaping, and furniture.
The South Shore Music Circus provided a $25,000 grant, and the library has saved state grants to help fund the project.
This is the first time the CLT has actively fundraised since the library moved to its current location more than 20 years ago.
The Pavilion — which will be suitable for programming for all ages and groups of all sizes — has been part of the library’s long-term strategic plan for 20 years and has been successfully tested over the past two years, according to James.
In particular, during COVID, the library began offering programs outdoors under a tent during nice weather, which was well-received by the community. This led to seeking a more permanent solution to the space issue.
This community asset will be available for use by all town departments and committees, including the library, Recreation, Safe Harbor, and Elder Affairs as well as providing a comfortable, aesthetically-pleasing place for the entire community to work, read, eat lunch, or just relax when not in use for programming.
“This space will add something unique to the town, and we’re overwhelmed by all the support from so many different entities in town,” James said.
She also expressed appreciation to Cohasset resident Chris Macfarlane of Elysium Design Landscape Architecture for designing The Pavilion pro bono. “It’s fantastic,” James said. “We’re so thankful for his support and expertise.”
Cohasset’s library is well-used and appreciated, with one of the state’s highest per-capita circulation rates and programming attendance that exceeded 14,000 participants in Fiscal 2022.
As background, the 60-person capacity of the library’s largest meeting room limits the number of people who can participate in its many programs and activities. As temporary measures, other areas of the library have sometimes been utilized in addition to using outdoor space during COVID when possible.
The Pavilion concept was created out of this need and is now becoming a reality.
A kickoff fundraiser was hosted by the Corner Stop in early December, which was a big success. James expressed appreciation for all who supported this event, including Stellwagen Beer Company of Marshfield — which donated the beer — and to Cohasset resident Tom Novelline for providing the wine.
The various giving levels for the CLT campaign include:
- Nobel Prizes $20,000+
- Pulitzer Prizes $10,000 – $19,999
- Newbery Medals $5,000 – $9,999
- National Book Awards $2,500 – $4,999
- Mass. Book Awards $1,000 – $2,499
- NYT Bestsellers up to $999
Checks may be made out to the Cohasset Library Trust and mailed to 35 Ripley Road, Cohasset, MA 02025. Donations in any amount from both public and private sources are welcome and encouraged and may also be made at https://givebutter.com/JiLozJ. For stock donations, which are also appreciated, contact CLT President Barb Wipf at bwipf@comcast.net for instructions.
The Library Team includes the Friends of the Cohasset Library, the elected Board of Trustees, the Cohasset Library Trust, and the library staff.
Project Development Committee members include Caitlin Appleton, Elaine Breslow, Meghan Brinzey, Stephen Brown, Carolyn Coffey, Brooke Jewell, Catherine Harvey, Marylou Lawrence, Tom Littauer, Catherine O’Callaghan, Jen Ognibene, Sarah Pease, Bret Regan, Joy Schiffmann, Jon Stavis, Mark Toomey, Alex Viteri, Wipf, and James.
“This continues to be a wonderful community effort,” James said.