By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
On Oct. 26, the Friends of the Cazenovia Public Library will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the official opening of Carriage Barn Books — a like-new bookstore operated out of the newly renovated barn adjacent to the library.
The event will begin at 10:30 a.m. and will feature several speakers, including Betsy Kennedy, director of the library; Dick Williams, president of the library board of trustees; and other community leaders.
Light refreshments will be served and the store will remain open until 5 p.m.
Operated by the Friends, Carriage Barn Books will be open Thursdays and Fridays 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Hours may be adjusted seasonally based on community interest.
The opening marks the completion of a large-scale historic renovation — a project envisioned by Kennedy and the Friends over five years ago.
“We’re all looking forward to the grand opening of Carriage Barn Books,” Williams said. “This project represents the culmination of efforts by members of our CPL board, Friends of the Library, Teitsch-Kent-Fay Architects, dedicated, hard-working (and patient) contractors, and of course our director, Betsy Kennedy.”
For decades, the Friends have used the barn for their annual book sale.
According to Moriah Hamm, the Friends communications chair, a used bookstore was identified as a local need in a community survey conducted several years ago.
“It was a natural progression from an annual book sale to fulfilling a community need as a used bookstore open more often to the public, year-round,” Hamm said. “The [survey results] solidified the idea for the Friends.”
The project has been supported through multiple fundraising efforts and matching funds from a New York State Education Department Construction Program grant for public libraries.
Initially, the Friends were able to contribute a substantial amount from previous book sales. As the project has progressed, the organization has continued to provide support.
To maintain the historic character of the original building, Kennedy and a design team worked closely with the State Historic Preservation Office and the village Historic Preservation Committee.
Cazenovia merchant John Williams built the Greek Revival building that now houses the library in 1830.
The carriage barn was added to the property during a renovation of the home in 1858.
In 1890, well-known Cazenovia benefactor Robert J. Hubbard purchased the entire property to house the growing “Cazenovia Library Society.”
In the 1980s, the barn was transformed into a space to store donated books and to conduct book sales.
As the years went on, the barn began to show signs of aging.
In 2018, Mike Walker and Expert Building Services stripped the interior of the barn to its studs, posts and beams, and rebuilt the interior over the course of a year.
The barn now features reclaimed wood floors, new walls and windows, and restored horse stalls.
The original 1890 shelving, which remained in use until 1996, was also restored and reinstalled.
“We are pleased to be able to hold onto our history while advancing into the future,” said Elisha Davies, the library’s archivist. “I think it’s great that this project gives new use to a historic space.”
Additions to the structure include glass doors, designed to work in combination with the historic wooden barn doors, a brick walkway and an HVAC system.
According to Davies, although the barn will primarily be used as a bookstore, the building will also feature an office, storage space, meeting rooms and a digitization lab in its basement.
“The barn has been transformed into a more comfortable, energy efficient, usable space that will be a part of our library and enjoyed by our community for many years ahead,” Williams said. “We hope everyone has the opportunity to stop by and check it out; the restored horse stalls offer a unique, historic touch.”
The Friends of the Cazenovia Public Library is a diverse group of local residents, families and business dedicated to enhancing the library’s resources and to fostering community interest and involvement in the library.
The organization raises funds for programs and services that fall outside of the library’s annual budget, such as special programming, building improvements and other projects.
In addition to the barn renovations, the Friends’ support has also facilitated the purchase of desktop and laptop computers, free lecture series, author visits, concerts, movies, sound system enhancements, children’s programs, and additions to the library’s collections.
According the library website, the organization includes nearly 600 area residents, whose annual membership fees provide part of the financial support available to the library.
To learn more about the Friends of the Cazenovia Public Library and membership levels, visit cazenoviapubliclibrary.org or email [email protected].
