Beach Library celebrates growth with topping ceremony
The Fort Myers Beach Public Library reached a milestone Thursday at a special Topping Ceremony that featured the raising of a community-signed central steel beam to a designated area on the new building’s construction expansion.
Beach Library Director Leroy Hommerding stated that a topping ceremony is an ancient ritual in the building trade and means that the builders have reached the tallest point of construction. From Monday to Wednesday last week, library goers had a chance to sign the beam that serves as a time capsule of sorts.
Guest singer Vanessa Bell opened and closed the celebration with renditions of the “National Anthem” and “America The Beautiful” respectively. An evergreen tree was lit, information brochures were passed out and refreshments were served following the ceremony.
“This is a major milestone in the construction of the significant, expanded library for our community,” said Hommerding. “For the architects, contractors and planners who have worked on this building, for the Board of Directors that have been planning for this structure for almost 10 years and for many of you who have shared comments, hopes, taxes and donations in the past and in the present, today is a day of celebration and reflection on the formidable progress that we have made.”
The Beach Library director noted that the expansion is scheduled to open in April, just a few, short months away.
“The grand opening of the entire structure, including the updates to the current library, will be done come September,” he said.
Hommerding said the new library will be “designed to capture the benefits of natural lighting, maximize energy efficiency and be friendly to the environment and people” while serving as “a model for years to come.” He stated it would have ample space for several book collection additions, an audio avenue, Internet stations, children’s study and playbooks and the community room in the library commons. There will also be a child and adult courtyard.
“Not only are we redefining what a library can be in the 21st Century, we are assuring that arts and education can be a powerful catalyst for economic and spiritual regeneration as well,” said Hommerding.
The design will feature an entrance in the tower portion of the new building. An elevator will assist entry, something that the older residents and visitors can navigate without steps or ramps.
“This will make it possible for some of our residents who cannot walk stairs. It gives them assurance to be part of our active community again,” said Hommerding. “The community room will offer more opportunities for seminars and presentations and group activities.”
Many areas of the fully constructed Beach Library will offer views of the Gulf at different angles from the second- and third-story windows.
“The patron-friendly building will truly be a Beach-oriented place,” said Hommerding.
Some 54 new American Civil War books are now available at the library and have been since January 2011. This year marks the 150th anniversary of such a historic time.
“Libraries remain essential as the community seeks to provide continuity between yesterday and today,” said Hommerding, who quoted a title of a Shakespeare play in saying, “All’s well that ends well” to signal Manhattan Construction employees to lift the beam into place.
After the beam was secured, Beach Library Board President Katie Corning introduced the lighting of a well-decorated evergreen tree to signify a tradition that dates back a thousand years for bringing life to a building.
“Our tree symbolizes growth and the coming together of people and resources to serve everyone who lives on or visits our island. We welcome all to this center for intellectual, cultural and community activity,” she said.