Professor Dr. Manfred Psiorz, president and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim Chemicals Inc., presents a $40,000 donation to the Petersburg Library Foundation last Monday during a groundbreaking ceremony for a new Petersburg library. The Petersburg firm has given nearly $100,000 toward the effort to build a new library in the community. Construction of a new $12.7 million library is set to start soon.

(Photo courtesy of John Rooney)

Wayne Crocker, director of library services, said that when he first proposed a new library, the idea was met with chuckles

The Rev. Andrew White Sr., campaign co-chair for the Petersburg Library Foundation, and others fling dirt during a groundbreaking ceremony on Monday for a new Petersburg Public Library. After years of effort by many, the vision of a $12.6 million library at the corner of Washington and Market streets in Petersburg is now one step closer to reality.

Progress-Index -by F.M. Wiggins (Staff Writer)

Published: May 1, 2012

PETERSBURG – The toss of a few shovels filled with dirt heralded the beginning of a project that some questioned the need for, some questioned whether it was possible, but one that will become an integral part of the community when completed.

Wayne Crocker, director of library services for the Petersburg Public Library, said when he first proposed the idea of a new library it was met with a few loud chuckles.

“Then they asked why we needed a new library,” Crocker said. “I explained that the current library was originally built as a house in 1859 and they asked me, ‘What’s wrong with that?’”

Crocker said that over time there were more questions about the need for a library, but those eventually gave way to the question of, “When are we going to build a new library?”

The most visible milestone in the answer to that question took place Monday when a group of officials including Sen. Mark R. Warner, Rep. Bobby Scott, D-3rd, Delegate Rosalyn R. Dance, D-Petersburg, and Mayor Brian Moore turned shovel fulls of dirt as part of a groundbreaking ceremony for the new library.

Crocker described the library as a symbol of faith. He said that when no one else believed the project would happen, he and those present did. He said that when no one else saw the need, he and those present at Monday’s event saw the need, and that when others said that the project wouldn’t be able to raise the money, he and those present said that it would happen.

“For those that said, ‘I’ll give when you break ground,’” Crocker said, pausing and cracking a wide smile to a round of applause.

When complete, the new $12.7 million library will be nearly four times that of the existing 14,000-square-foot main library that has served the community for more than 85 years. The current Phase I facility will be around 45,000 square feet and represents the majority of the initial concept with the exception of a large multipurpose meeting room. Phase II would add space for an auditorium.

Even as construction on Phase I – estimated to take 12 to 18 months – is taking place, fundraising will continue for the second phase of construction.

Monday however, the focus was on Phase I.

Moore said that there is perhaps no place so totally democratic as a library, quoting former first lady Lady Bird Johnson. He encouraged the crowd to do three things: visit the current library, come out to the site of the new library at least once a month and stand in the same spot and take pictures of the progres, and on those visits, take advantage of city businesses.

Warner said that he was glad to be back in Petersburg, “the community that will never give up.”

Warner said that libraries are changing but still represent a place where everyone is equal. The senator also committed to providing a contribution for the library foundation towards completion of the second phase of the library.

“You have invested in this library and that sends a message that education is important,” Scott said. Scott’s remarks were echoed by Dr. Manfred Psiorz, president and CEO of Boehringer Ingelheim Chemicals Inc.

Psiorez said that the company hires skilled, well-educated employees.

“We would like to see them coming from Petersburg,” Psiorez said, adding that he was personally pleased when he heard about the planned library. Psiorez also presented the library foundation with a check for $40,000, bringing the company’s total contribution to $100,000.

Boehringer Ingelheim wasn’t the only corporate citizen to make a donation Monday. Container First Services donated $20,000 and three citizens made a combined contribution of approximately $3,000.

But the library foundation didn’t just take in money Monday, it also gave two future patrons of the library gifts. Talajah Stith, a third-grade student at J.E.B. Elementary School, and Alessio Amato, a third-grade student at Saint Joseph Catholic School, each were presented Nook brand e-readers. Talajah and Alessio wrote essays about what they’re looking forward to with the new library.

“It will have new books,” Talajah said, reading from her essay. “I will have fun reading and visualizing as I’m reading.”

Alessio said that reading is the greatest thing that anyone can do “because you think and you gain knowledge.”

The Rev. Andrew J. White, capital campaign co-chair with Cindy Morgan, said that when the project began he described it in the words of Charles Dickens.

“It was the worst of times, it was the best of times,” White said. He said that the economy couldn’t have been worse to undertake such a project, but he added it was also a good time. “We live in Petersburg.”

White underscored the attitude of the city as being one to overcome the odds.

“They said it couldn’t be done,” White said. “But we did it. It’s not simply for today. It’s for tomorrow. We’re writing history today.”

White said that while some in the audience may never ever use the library, their children, grandchildren or great-grandchildren might.

Soon after, nine shovels each ceremoniously tossed a bit of dirt to signal the beginning of construction on the library.

Robert “Bob” Walker, chairman of the board for the Petersburg Library Foundation, said that construction should begin within about 30 days.

“Work is already being done on the site. We’re waiting on utilities to be moved,” Walker said.

Published on Apr 30, 2012 by Progressindex

Hundreds gathered for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new Petersburg
Public Library. Topping the guest list were Sen. Mark Warner and U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott.

The Cameron Foundation donated $1 million to the Petersburg Library Foundation during a ceremony Tuesday at the Tabernacle Community Life Center. From left are: Wayne Crocker, director of Petersburg Public Libraries; Bob Walker, chairman of the library foundation; Cindy Morgan, capital campaign co-chair for the library foundation; Ann Taylor, immediate past chair of the Cameron Foundation; and Handy Lindsey, president of the Cameron Foundation.

“The whole point of this donation is to catalyze the rest of the community into giving to the capital campaign,” said Handy Lindsey Jr., president of The Cameron Foundation. “It demonstrates that we believe in this project and we’re so close to completion we really need the rest of the community to step forward.”

The grant funding for the Petersburg Library Foundation will be made upon completion of the new building. The facility will have expanded programs, literacy training classes and computer classes.

Currently, the Petersburg Library Foundation is at 79 percent of its $12.7 million fundraising goal.

“This gets us $2.6 million closer to our overall goal, so we’re now very close,” said Wayne Crocker, chief librarian for the city. “This will allow us to begin Phase I of the project.”

Groundbreaking is scheduled to take place April 30 for the state-of-the-art library in downtown.

Lindsey said that this isn’t the first time The Cameron Foundation has supported the Petersburg Library Foundation. He said that support has been given directly for the project along with providing assistance through a “capacity building” grant that allowed the Petersburg Library Foundation to develop ways to raise money more effectively.

Previously, The Cameron Foundation also committed a $1 million grant to the construction of a new library. With both contributions, The Cameron Foundation is the second largest contributor in the Petersburg Library Foundation’s history.

Bob Walker, president of the Petersburg Library Foundation, said that the two groups have worked closely together since the inception of the foundation working to build a new library in the city. “They’ve been extremely generous in their past presentations and this project is important to the community,” Walker said.

Lindsey said that the project and the library is extremely important for the community because of what a library is – a free space for all residents. “It’s the one place where we are all equal,” Lindsey said.

When complete, the new library will be nearly four times that of the existing 14,000-square-foot main library that has served the community for more than 85 years. It will feature specialized spaces and services to attract and engage patrons.

Crocker said that even as construction on Phase I – estimated to take 12 to 18 months – is taking place, fundraising will continue for the second phase of construction.

The site of the new library, the former Petersburg Ford and more recently CrossRoads Ford, was purchased for $400,000 in 2006. The site was selected after it became available – six other sites had been considered before the selection of the current site on the corner of Washington and Market streets.

Originally conceptualized as a 56,000-square-foot facility with a price tag of around $16 million, fundraising efforts began in earnest after the design was finalized in 2008. Initially, plans called for repurposing several of the existing buildings on the property. However, it was decided that for roughly the same price a new library could be constructed from the ground up.

Demolition on the former auto dealership buildings began in September 2009.

The current Phase I facility will be around 45,000 square feet and represents the majority of that initial concept with the exception of the large multipurpose meeting room. Phase II would add space for an auditorium.

In September 2008, City Council committed to providing $5 million toward construction costs, and at the Feb. 28, 2012, meeting, council kept its word, voting 6-0 – Mayor Brian Moore abstaining as he is a member of the library foundation board – to provide that money in the form of bond money.

Progress-Index – F.M. Wiggins (staff writer)

That’s according to Bob Walker, chairman of the Petersburg Library Foundation. He said the plans for the new facility have been almost ten years in the making and are nearing fruition.

At the end of February, the Petersburg City Council voted to approve $5 million in general obligation bond funding from the city.

The gap between that and the $10.6 million price tag for the main portion of the library will be partially filled in with a construction loan of approximately $2 million and a new market allocation of between $2 and $2.3 million.

In November of 2011, the Richmond-based Cabell Foundation contributed a $300,000 dollar-for-dollar matching grant to the effort. The Libarary Foundation is currently $50,836 away from matching that grant, something they hope to do in the next 30 days. Their goal is to raise $401,807, including the $50,836, to break ground.

The leaders of the Petersburg Library Foundation are optimistic about their fund raising and determined to start the project this spring.

“We’re enthusiastic about it,” Walker said. “We plan on starting April 30, even if it means Wayne [Crocker] and I have to start digging it ourselves.”

Crocker serves as the director of library services for Petersburg, The Petersburg Library Foundation formed in 2002, secured its 501(c)(3) status in 2003, and launched a study in 2007 to see what was needed to improve the library. The study indicated building a new facility would be more efficient and cost effective than updating the current facility, which was established in 1924 in a Sycamore Street house that was built in 1859.

When it is complete, the new building, designed by local architecture firm Enteros Designs, will be Petersburg’s first energy efficient LEED certified structure. The foundation is hoping to finalize construction plans with W.M. Jordan, who is the same team behind the Hopewell Library, within the next two weeks.

Due to difficult economic times that have coincided with the push for the new library, the foundation has broken construction into two phases. The first phase will include the main library building, which will feature an expanded children’s area, meeting rooms, and other improvements.

“It’s really hard to put 21st century services in a 19th century facility,” said Crocker, describing the difficulties associated with running the current library. “We’ve made do with what we have, but it’s very, very difficult.”

The new 46,000 square-foot space will allow the library to offer enhanced opportunities for workforce development efforts, which have garnered support from Bank of America and the Crater Regional Workforce Investment Board, adult literacy classes and a variety of programs, many of which are aimed at youth throughout the area, not just in Petersburg.

“One of the things Wayne has done over the years is provided some really remarkable programs for 200 to 300 kids at a time,” Walker said. “At the present location, he doesn’t have that kind of facility available.”

Building an auditorium where large groups can gather will be phase two of the construction, which comes with a price tag of $2.5 million.

For the last few years, Crocker has been going to churches and other large spaces in the area to offer a variety of educational programs, which have been popular.

“We’ll be able to provide programs that we can’t presently do,” Walker said. “Additional funding is available for that, but we just don’t have any place to put it.”

Walker said a problem with the current set-up is that children and their parents don’t always realize the programs they have seen and enjoyed are offered by the library, which means that an opportunity to connect the library with positive associations is missed.

“It’s really critical to get kids to come to the library … so they learn to enjoy to come to the library,” Walker said. “That’s been difficult for a number of years, and once that young three-, four-, five-year- old child starts realizing, ‘Hey, it’s fun to come here,’ they have a tendency to come more often. So, having a facility that does that is a major accomplishment.”

Crocker said introducing children to libraries and reading at a young age can influence the course of their lives.

“We strongly believe that if you can get them started as soon as possible coming to the library that, more than likely, they will become life long learners,” he said.

The plans for the library have strong community support. Cheryl Collins, fund development officer for the Petersburg Library Foundation, said the list of donors has expanded from 24 people three years ago to 718 people today. Faith-based organizations and civic groups have also contributed as well as spare-change collection programs at schools, hospitals, and businesses which have brought in needed funds too.

“It’s been a great effort from the community to be a part of it,” Walker said.

Collins said she sees other benefits for the city from the construction.

“I think one of the things that is important too, is this library is going to create a lot of foot traffic for all of the economic development in this area and be able to support the overall vision of downtown Petersburg,” she said.

Although they’re still looking for more donations to meet the April 30 groundbreaking date, people are eager to see ground moving on the downtown corner.

“You hear from everybody” Walker said. “Wayne gets inundated with questions, ‘When are we going to get started?’ We’re going to get started, and we’re really excited about that.”

Colling said she started calling donors to thank them for their support and everyone was “just ecstatic” to hear that their donations were about to be put to use

“I think everybody in the city is ready to make this thing happen,” Walker said.

By Sarah Steele Wilson
Mar 26, 2012, 14:08
Copyright © 2004 – 2012 www.hopewellnews.com

At 22-24 Market Street (the corner of Washington & Market), Petersburg, VA

The terrain may be rough so please wear appropriate footwear 

For more information call 804.733.2387 x 30 or x 35

PETERSBURG – The city is closer than ever to having a new – if slightly reduced in scale – library.

Last night, City Council voted 6-0 with Mayor Brian Moore abstaining, to approve seeking $5 million in general obligation bonds to assist in funding the construction of the library.

During a presentation from the director of library services for the city, Wayne Crocker said that the Petersburg Library Foundation has been working to raise the necessary money to build the new library at an estimated cost for Phase I – the main library building – of $10.6 million.

Phase II, which includes an auditorium space, can be built at a later date for an estimated cost of $2.5 million. The auditorium space was included in the original concept for the new library, which will be built at the corner of Washington and Market streets.

Gil Entzminger of Enteros Design, said that the auditorium is the only change to the plans for the library, which still includes a rotunda, several large meeting rooms, gallery space, an outdoor water feature, and lots of large windows for natural light.

“It’s always a pleasure to come and talk to you about the library,” said Bob Walker, chairman of the Petersburg Library Foundation.

Crocker added that the foundation has been constantly amazed by the amount of community support for the new library, including spare change drives in the city’s schools, more than 700 individual donors, businesses and civic organizations bringing the goal of a library well within reach.

“We have a couple of financial institutions that are really close to getting us there,” Walker said. He added that the project is a little less than $500,000 away from being able to start the project as soon as April 30.

While construction will start without the auditorium, it is still something Walker said he is passionate about after seeing some of the programs that the library offers to children.

“I feel that the auditorium is still necessary and a really important feature,” Walker said. He added that currently the library does programs for 300 to 400 children at times, but must use off-site locations, including churches and Union Station because there isn’t enough room at the library. “It think it’s really important that young children, not just in Petersburg, but across the nation, learn to love their library. That’s where they learn to love reading.”

City Manager William E. Johnson III said that a revised memorandum of understanding between the city and the Library Foundation will be brought back to council for consideration no later than the March 20 City Council meeting.

Council approved seeking the general obligation bonds, which could be issued for up to a 30-year term to pay for the new library, on a 6-0 vote on a motion by Councilman Howard Myers. Moore abstained from the vote because he is a member of the Library Foundation Board.

Progress-Index-  F.M. Wiggins may be reached at 804-732-3456, ext. 3254 or fwiggins@progress-index.com

To the Editor:

The Petersburg Public Library, William R. McKenney Central Branch, participated in the 23rd National African-American Read-In on Tuesday, Feb. 14. This event was first sponsored in 1990 by the Black Caucus of the National Council of Teachers of English. In 1991, the National Council of Teachers of English joined in the sponsorship, and the Read-In has been endorsed by the International Reading Association. Over 1 million readers from around the world have participated in this event. The solitary goal of the Read-In is to make the celebration of African American literacy a traditional part of Black History Month activities.

The Petersburg Public Library would like to thank the following individuals for participating in this event as readers: Sorena Campbell, Mary Chandler, Addie Eliades, Elizabeth Hilbert, Laura Ingram, Cierra Johnson, Brittany Jones, Breyanna Kelly, Ashley Roberts, Erin Sweet, Sydney Sylvester, Destiny Taylor, Sidney Tilghman, Hannah Bracey, Brenna Geraghty, She’ryl Harper, Tynisha Smith, Catherine Turner, William Miles, Ashley James, Candria Hicks, Lynsey Freeman, India Burns, Ashia Elder, Jasmine Davis, Patricia Smith, Beverly McLaughlin, Curtis Russell, Brian Moore, Nigel France, Alex Newsom, Brandon Johnson, Sharon Mallory, Willie Bell, Jr., Willis McCombs, Jimmy Clark, Andrew Farrar, Calvin Farr, Mary Ann Bailey, Johna Vasquez, Ernest Shaw, Elsie Weatherington, Patricia Diaw, Carl Matthews, Alvera Parrish, Shannon Smith, Regina Kearney, Ken Pritchett, Dona Edmondson.The Petersburg Public Library would also like to offer our heartfelt appreciation of the many individuals who attended and supported this event as listeners.

 The works read were at times thought-provoking, lighthearted, dramatic, and inspiring. Petersburg Public Library is proud to sponsor programs and events which promote and support literacy throughout the City of Petersburg.

Janet Sullivan, Library Assistant

Petersburg Public Library