Ground broken for Lewes library pavilion
They were small shovels of dirt, but big steps toward the Lewes Public Library’s dream of an outdoor space.
On May 3, the library broke ground on a $1.75 million pavilion in its own backyard.
Library leaders and local dignitaries donned hardhats from builder Whiting-Turner, picked up gold shovels and kicked off construction.
“To say we’re excited would be an understatement,” said Chanta Wilkinson, president of the library’s board of commissioners.
The pavilion is designed to be a gathering place for concerts and library programs for adults and children. The project was conceived in the wake of the pandemic as a way to get more people outside.
The pavilion will be located in the open space behind the library. The footprint has already been staked out.
It will be 3,000 square feet and seat 140 people. It is set up to mimic the library’s large meeting room.
There will be a separate structure to house tables, chairs and audio-visual equipment.
“They say if you want to know what a community is like, the first place you should go is the public library,” said Jill DiPaolo, library director. “We are a proud, shining, thriving example of what it means to live in Lewes.”
Most of the funding has come from the American Rescue Plan Act and from a matching state bond bill grant. The Friends of the Lewes Public Library chipped in $50,000. Another $5,000 has come from the Delaware Community Foundation.
The library is still trying to raise $195,000.
Hugh Leahy, trustee emeritus, said they are well on their way to building up a $5 million permanent endowment fund. The library would spend the interest from that fund to support its operations.
“Wouldn’t it be wonderful if Jill [DiPaolo] had $250,000 to place toward operations every year? That would enable her to be a librarian instead of a fundraiser,” Leahy said.
The pavilion is expected to open this fall.
