MARBLEHEAD— One and a half years, the transportation of hundreds of books, and millions of dollars later, Abbot Public Library is heading back to its home on Pleasant Street for its grand reopening on Thursday, June 20, with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 4 p.m.
In April, it was announced that the library was preparing to shut down for a roughly five-week period as it began moving from its temporary location at Eveleth School back to its newly-renovated building, a nearly $10 million project that improved and upgraded the building’s failing infrastructure.
“Three years after the Town of Marblehead overwhelmingly approved an $8.5 million override request to renovate and replace the failing infrastructure of the building at 235 Pleasant Street, this 17th Century Town finally has a 21st Century Library!” Abbot Public Library said in a statement.
Among the renovations for the library were upgrades to internet connectivity, HVAC, lighting, fire alarm and protection systems, ADA accessibility, and new security.
Additions to the library include three new meeting rooms, a makerspace and podcasting studio, self checkout kiosks, and four new gender-neutral bathrooms.
“We are grateful for the support of the Town of Marblehead and the many financial supporters including the Abbot Public Library Foundation; the Second Century Fund for their contributions to the new self checkout equipment and digital signage; to the Shattuck Memorial Fund for their contributions for the purchase of new outdoor book return bins and new library carts; and to the Driftwood Garden Club for their leadership in rehabilitating the front lawn and library gardens,” Abbot Public Library Board of Trustees Chair and the Building Renovation Committee Chair Gary Amberik said in a statement.
At the grand opening ceremony, Amberik will speak along with Library Director Kimberly Grad and state Rep. Jenny Armini. Representatives from the Abbot Public Library Foundation, Friends of Abbot Public Library, the Second Century Fund, and Driftwood Garden Club will be in attendance as well.
Performances by the Marblehead String Quartet, alongside Glover’s Marblehead Regiment are also scheduled.
In a statement, Grad said the library is looking forward to reopening the space to the public.
“We are so pleased to invite the community of Marblehead back to the library at Pleasant Street,” Grad said. “Abbot Public Library takes on a vital role in our Town in the promotion of literacy and lifelong learning, the freedom to read what we choose, the pursuit of knowledge and trusted information resources, providing free, inclusive and adaptive spaces for gathering, and supporting civic engagement through collaboration and connection with our community.”
