HARDWICK – The Jeudevine Library addition opened its doors to the public on Monday, July 7, after over two years of construction. The project increased accessibility, adding more bathrooms and multiple meeting areas.
photo by Alex Strand
By the time the library closed at 6 p.m. that first day, there had been 103 visitors. They previously, on average, had about 30 visitors each day before the construction, and slightly less during the construction.
Library director Diane Grenkow walked through the stacks, remarking at how large the new children’s section, which used to be in the front portion of the library, now is. It holds space for a children’s librarian to lead storytimes, as well as three computers for children to use.
Computers in the children’s section were of importance for the library because previously, there were no quiet places to work.
Karen Klotz and two other Hardwick residents, all regulars of the library, were excited by its size, air conditioning and quiet spaces.
photo by Alex Strand
“I never came here before because I couldn’t get my computer work done,” said Klotz. “It was so small, everyone was sharing the same room.”
She said she will now probably come to work at the library three or more times a week, and looks forward to bringing her granddaughter.
The attempts at expansion were not easy, and the town went through plans of moving the library to other destinations before deciding on expansion, said librarian Kevin Hill.
In a 2023 open letter, Jodi Lew-Smith, chair of the Jeudevine Board of Trustees, wrote that “it’s a minor miracle that we are still going to be able to build the expanded Jeudevine this year.” They had raised over $3 million for the library at the time.
Funds were from private donors as well as public groups like the Vermont Department of Libraries, said the Trustees Chair Daphne Kalmar.
photo by Alex Strand
When Parker Ladd, a New York publishing executive who grew up in Hardwick, passed away in 2017, he left almost $500,000 to the library, assisting heavily in the kick-starting of its expansion project.
Downstairs, in what used to be what Grenkow affectionately called a dungeon, is a well-lit meeting room for 12 people, as well as a larger one that houses 60 and a staff break room.
A meeting area was essential for Hardwick residents. Grenkow says residents have already offered to host winter time movie nights.
Rooms, as of now, are reserved by contacting the library online or over the phone. They are set to launch an updated website in the coming days.
Alex Strand
Alex Strand is a Hardwick Gazette reporting intern for this summer. She is a rising junior at the University of Vermont studying English and Psychology. She is from Boston, MA, but has begun to fall in love with the Northeast Kingdom. In her free time, she likes reading, swimming and canoe tripping.
