The need to renovate and expand Lithgow Library is a development that should be taken as a piece of a larger consideration.

Augusta residents more than 20 years ago recognized that the former City Hall no longer met the city’s needs, and that a newer, roomier facility was needed. City Center stands today as testimony to that reality. Old City Hall was not discarded, but creatively re-used as a residence.

Similarly, a decade ago, the old YMCA was no longer able to meet the community’s usage demands. Space was woefully inadequate inside and outside. The new YMCA is far better, more functional and ready for the present and future. The old YMCA site is ready for adaptive re-use.

At almost the same time, Cony High School’s location, construction and design likewise made for an unacceptable and dangerous learning environment. Again the community accepted the challenge. Our new high school will serve the area’s needs for the foreseeable future, and the Cony Flatiron building is poised for re-use.

Lithgow Library, through it all, has been waiting.

Well situated for convenient use by the community, it has been forced to bide its time on the city’s to-do list of worthwhile projects. The original library remains solid and architecturally significant, and it can serve some library functions, but the existing space is too small, the interior is trapped in an antiquated design for modern uses, and the old building needs upgrades in security and environmental systems.

Libraries are vital community assets. Lithgow is a prime example, having helped the area for more than 110 years. Now it is Lithgow’s turn to receive our help. The City Hall, school system, YMCA, and, soon, the hospital, have all benefited from Augusta’s past, present and future commitment. Lithgow is every bit as deserving.

Dave Cheever

Augusta