Board of Trustees

Dear Members of the Greater Hampstead Community:

The Hampstead Public Library Trustees would like to thank the Hampstead community members who have donated so far to our “Building for the Future” Pavilion Brick Walkway Fundraiser.  We have adjusted our plans so we can move forward with the process. Here is a little history of our phased plans for continued fundraising.

Phase 1 included our brick fundraiser. Over 275 organizations and individuals have indicated that they support the pavilion with their choice of bricks. 

Phase 1 included the Library researching grants and free public money to support our pavilion. Rosemary Krol, our director, applied for over $100,000 in state, private, and public grants, but due to the great need of others because of COVID, we haven't yet qualified for these larger grants. We did receive over $4600 in smaller grants.  We started this project to help us serve the Hampstead community more safely outside, during COVID and beyond.

During Phase 2, the library continued fundraising and applying for grants, including seeking ARPA funds from the town. The result of Phase 2 is that we completed the pavilion structure in March 2023 and there is new grass planted.  The goal of the pavilion is to help mitigate issues of safely meeting and social distancing that the pandemic has created.   It is to serve all ages and facilitate outdoor meetings and programs, such as toddler story time, various classes, book discussions, craft activities, summer programming, and much more. The structure provides wheelchair-accessibility, and is equipped with electricity and wireless internet.

Phase 3 is happening in 2023. Once the pavilion structure was put up then we began to assess what kind of landscaping is needed to help soften the road noise and to make it a more pleasant park-like public space.

While we know that Hampstead has other pavilions throughout the town that our community is fortunate to have, the pavilion here at the public library will offer abundant parking, accessible bathrooms, and a variety of programming, as well as meeting space for community groups. Our youth services librarian can quickly wheel a cart out to the front lawn to set up our story time for many families in the safe and protected pavilion without needing to pack her vehicle and drive to a different pavilion. Weekly story times and programs are attended by multigenerational visitors, so we want to offer a gathering space for all ages.  Visitors who attend our outdoor book groups, yoga and stretching health classes, and other programs can then come in for restrooms and browse for books and entertainment. We look forward to offering a safe, comfortable, and weather-protected space for the Hampstead community.

As always, we appreciate your continued support as we build for the future of the Town and the Library.

Sincerely,

Rosemary Krol, Library Director

Natalie Gallo, Chairperson of Hampstead Library Board of Trustees

Hampstead Public Library would like to thank our Business and Organization Sponsors. See current list as an attachment below.