Campaigns: New England
Southbury, CT
The House That Volunteers Built
Residents Lead Way to New Library at Heart of Community
Southbury (CT) Public Library
In A Nutshell
The rapid growth of Southbury, CT made the library too small to meet demand. Community volunteers organized an eight-year building initiative, which resulted in a new 32,000 square foot building, opened in April 2006. Since then, library use has increased by 54%. The new building serves as a destination for Southbury residents of all ages and reflects the community’s investment in its future.
Background
southbury public library
The New Southbury (CT) Public Library.
Southbury, Connecticut has a long tradition of library services. In 1776, one resident wrote in his journal: Went to library meeting. Over the centuries library functions were housed in private homes, a social hall, and, in 1969, a 7,100 square foot building on South Main Street. Over the next few decades Southbury experienced rapid growth, due in part to the development of a major retirement village. Between 1981 and 2001, the population of Southbury grew 31%, while library use increased 95%.
Space constraints increasingly affected the quality of library services. New books could not be added without purging others and there was insufficient room for programs, quiet study, new computers, children’s activities or parking. By 1998, the Board of Directors of the Southbury Public Library had formed a Committee to study ways of expanding the library. From the outset of the planning process, the Committee was dedicated to creating not only a library but a community center that would function as the heart of the community.
Advocacy Goals
Fund and construct a new library building through following steps:
Gain support from Town Board to underwrite the major portion of the planning, acquisition and construction of a new library
Achieve a majority vote by local citizens supporting a bond issue at the level of $7,350,000.
Gain state approval for a construction grant.
Raise private funds to complement public monies.
Build a sense of ownership by all residents and organizations in the community.
Getting the Work Done
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The most remarkable aspect of the Southbury campaign was the level of commitment and achievement by volunteers. Some volunteers were part of the project from the outset, some became involved as the project evolved in scope and complexity, and some were recruited for their experience and skills. Volunteers oversaw development of a Long-Range Plan and Building Program, mobilized local legislators to help secure fiscal support from the Town and the State, selected and worked with a Planning Consultant and Architect, organized a campaign that garnered community support for a referendum, negotiated purchase of property, raised private funds, monitored construction, assisted with the library move, and organized events and publicity to celebrate the opening.
Board of Directors led the overall planning and established a special Building Committee to carry out the building project
Building Committee Chair had background in project management; potential Committee members were interviewed; members were selected to ensure the array of skills required for the project
The Planning Consultant, Nolan Lushington, worked intensively with library staff and Board and also carried out community focus groups and interviews
The Architect, Peter Wells, of Tuthill and Wells, was an integral part of the planning process, providing guidance and also listening to local volunteers
Library Friends took special roles in the fundraising process, including funding a mailing to every voter as part of the referendum campaign
Library staff, especially Director Shirley Thorson, assisted with outreach to community groups, information meetings at the library, and other aspects of communications.
Advocacy Strategies
Community Engagement
The following activites helped to inform and involve community members:
Breakfasts and after-work briefings at the library for community members
Presentations at community organization meetings
Outreach to retirement communities
Town meetings
Involvement of organizations and individuals in the planning process and the campaign.
Strategic Communications
Cultivation of working relationships with local media
Open planning process, enabling media to report fully on the project
Mailing to 7,000 + households in advance of referendum vote
Carefully developed “high-value” hand-outs at important meeting
Power point presentations, brochures and updates for the public
Gave credit whenever possible to allies and supporters.
Political Outreach
Advocates used the following strategies to involve local and state legislators:
Meetings with individual legislators to gain their trust and hear their points of view
Carefully planned meetings with Town Board to gain their support
Cultivation of every state representative and provision of the data they needed to make the case for a state grant.
Private Sector Fundraising
Consultation with pro bono experts on methods for identifying and cultivating private donors
Receptions and meetings with potential donors
Brick Campaign to stimulate support from wide array of community members
Recognition opportunities
Breakthroughs
Recruited Building Committee Chair with management skills at the moment when this type of leadership was essential
Presence of local individuals, including those in a local retirement community, willing to apply their professional skills and experience for the building project
Two donations of over $100,000; five donations between $25,000 and $99,000
Opportunity to acquire land at an accessible location
Supportive Town Board
Selection of Planning Consultant and Architect who were willing to work with volunteers and Town officials to build support for the project as it evolved.
Results
The new Southbury Public Library opened in April 2006. It offers greatly expanded library services and houses an array of community functions. It is a symbol of what can be achieved by dedicated and skilled citizens working together for the public good.
Special features include state-of-the-art computers, large new spaces for children and for teens, a studio for recordings for the blind, an art gallery, and a meeting room that will seat 150 people.
Looking Ahead
The Library Board and Friends have already participated in a planning retreat to define their next goals and tasks. They are developing an outdoor space in the spring of 2007 and planning expanded programs to fulfill the potential of the new building as a civic, cultural and educational center.
