The Centerville Library was built in 1957 when Charles Lincoln Ayling made a gift to the library in memory of his father to construct the present brick colonial style building. Through the years there have been several additions to keep up with the increasing demand. This project was comprised of a 4,500 square foot addition using a combination of structural steel with a suspended concrete slab on the lower level and more conventional, wood-frame, construction on the upper level. The new brick façade, copper roofed cupola, and large stamped-concrete terrace perfectly merge the new addition with the charming original structure.
Upon the completion of the addition, the library shifted their operation from the previous space to the new addition to allow us to start the comprehensive remodel of the 6,000+ square foot existing library. The workmanship inside the library was, as usual for Cape Associates, top-notch with, as you can imagine, top-quality furniture, stain grade bookcases, a spectacular fireplace surround, and elaborate custom-made trim to duplicate the ornate original moldings. The architects, Brown, Lindquist, Fenuccio, & Raber Architects Inc., did an amazing job creating a library with modern amenities including an elevator and ADA compliant entrances, ramps, and restrooms while keeping the warmth and quaint feel of the original building.
Beth Butler, Library Director, couldn’t be happier with the long-awaited results. During a recent tour of the project, Beth states “We have been so excited to start using the new spaces. Visitors have put each and every area to full use already… the children are enjoying their reading and craft rooms, old friends are again sitting quietly in front of the fire places, and staff members, too, are able to take advantage of new work areas and project spaces.” Beth pointed out detail after detail and made special note about how intricately the new woodwork matches the old. “This has been a labor of love for everyone involved in the restoration and expansion. This library means so many things to so many people and to finally see it being completed is a true gift for this community. A gift that is sure to be appreciated for generations to come.”
