Norwalk board approves resolution to pursue room naming tied to planned Gar estate gift

The Norwalk Public Library Board of Directors on Dec. 11 approved a resolution authorizing the city to pursue naming a library room in connection with a planned bequest from W. Randall Gar and Laura Coleman.

The board discussed a draft resolution prepared by city counsel and approved by Mr. Gar that states the trust currently estimates a gift "in excess of $300,000" and conditions the naming on the city’s receipt of at least $100,000. The resolution specifies that the city may designate a publicly accessible room of no less than 200 square feet as the "Celeste y Gar Children's Reading Room" and authorizes the mayor to execute necessary agreements.

Alex Knopf moved the resolution and Laurel Peterson seconded; the board recorded verbal assent and the item will be placed on the Norwalk City land use committee agenda for further consideration. According to the board’s timeline shared at the meeting, the next procedural steps are a land use committee review and a subsequent public hearing before the full city council; the transcript lists committee dates as Feb. 2 and March 3 followed by an April city council vote, although one meeting date in the transcript appears to contain a typographical year error and will need confirmation with city staff.

The board said it will present background on Celeste y Gar's ties to Norwalk and the library during the city review process. The resolution and related trust language were discussed in open session and were prepared with assistance from the city law department (Darren Callahan). No public speakers addressed the resolution at the board meeting.

Next steps: the board forwarded the resolution to the city land use committee; any final room naming requires city approval and, if approved there, would proceed to a public hearing and full council vote.