Hartford Foundation Grants Aid Kent Memorial Library Renovations

The Kent Memorial Library has received $28,000 in grants from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving to help cover the cost of interior library renovations. 

“These grants will give us the means to make some much needed changes to the library building, said Library Director James J. McShane. “Since library operations needed to relocate while the building was getting a new roof, we thought we would take this opportunity to make interior changes to improve the services offered to town residents.”

In addition to new paint, the library will be getting new carpets, have its wood floors refinished, and have some electrical work done.

“We would like to thank the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for this grant in support of the efforts of the Kent Memorial Library in serving the needs of Suffield,” McShane said.

The grants come from the Charles S. Bissell, the William S. Fuller, the Mrs. James Sage Coburn and the Amiel P. Zak Public Service funds at the Hartford Foundation.

First Selectman Tom Frenaye also praised the Hartford Foundation for its support of the library.

“It’s been far too many years since the interior of the library has been updated,” he said. “These grants will really make a real difference and when the library reopens in a couple of months after the roof repairs, I’m sure town residents will see quite a difference!”

The Hartford Foundation for Public Giving is the community foundation for the 29-town greater Hartford region, dedicated to improving the quality of life for area residents. The Hartford Foundation receives gifts from thousands of generous individuals and families, and in 2010, awarded grants of more than $29 million to a broad range of area nonprofit organizations, the largest amount granted in the Foundation’s 85-year history.  For more information about the Hartford Foundation, visit www.hfpg.org or call 860-548-1888.

Tom Frenaye

First Selectman

860-668-3838