Mont Vernon library nears completion; grand opening set for Feb. 22

Anne Dodd, Daland Trustee and advisor to the Mont Vernon Library Building Committee, said the building will be 'substantially complete' by the end of the coming week and that the State Fire Marshal and Mont Vernon Fire Department chief will perform a walk-through and system test the following day.

Dodd reported that water tests from Capital Well showed 'There is no petroleum contamination, but we will need treatment for high iron and manganese levels.' She also said an inspector witnessed generator, heating and fire pump tests and noted a startup issue when the fire pump begins while the generator is running; committee members said they are investigating corrective options and reminded that the fire pump is not required to be powered by the generator because it was upsized to handle the load.

Committee members confirmed several immediate construction and finishing items: a chandelier and many light fixtures have been installed, concrete work near the main entrance is planned, and millwork in the Main Reading Room is underway. Deep cleaning has started in finished areas and a set of furniture deliveries is scheduled for early February: Pottery Barn deliveries on Feb. 10 (three upholstered chairs delayed until Feb. 20), Tucker Interiors on Feb. 11–12, and Cardoza Flooring will install the Main Reading Room rug on Feb. 10. Penny Dickson, advisor for landscaping and furniture coordination, said the staff-room worktable may be a custom or semi-custom solution and could be completed after the grand opening.

On project finances, committee members Cindy Raspiller and Christine Hamilton said they reviewed costs and contingency spending and are confident the project continues to track within the original cost estimate. The December Turnstone requisition was approved by Raspiller, Hamilton and Dodd and submitted to the Town Administrator for payment; Dodd said she will submit several incidental-expense invoices for reimbursement.

Technology and security teams reported progress preparing for operations: all network equipment has been ordered, staff and public computers will be ordered within two days, and a technology consultant will be on-site Feb. 11 to complete the AV/network plan. Most of the security system — cameras and panic buttons — is installed; ProTek has asked for a personnel access list to provision card or fob access, but Dodd said she plans to ask ProTek to defer assigning fobs and cards until after the move and that traditional keys will be used in the interim. Dodd also noted that both the fire and security systems are currently communicating via Starlink while the Daland Trust decides whether to maintain that subscription or move to VOIP.

The committee reviewed items related to public engagement: recognition-plaques for donors and team members will be installed inside the building before the grand opening and outside plaques will follow in spring; the Sophia portrait and other art will be rehung before the event; and the time capsule vessel has been completed but will be sealed after the grand opening so mementos from the event can be included.

Cindy Raspiller announced a public grand opening for Sunday, Feb. 22, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with a formal program likely at about 11 a.m. She said Melinda Atwood, acting New Hampshire State Librarian, will be the keynote speaker and that email invitations have been sent to several state officials and representatives of the National Endowment for the Humanities. The event will be sponsored by the Mont Vernon Library Charitable Foundation.

The committee set follow-up meetings including an on-site weekly meeting with Turnstone, DSK and the clerk; a Library Building Committee meeting on Feb. 7 at the old library; and a Library Trustees meeting on Feb. 20 at the new library. The working session adjourned at 8:31 p.m.