 Street view of the house.
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The Town Council unanimously approved a motion to support the Durham Public Library Board of Trustees purchase of the property at 49 Madbury Road for the purpose of building a new public library. The vote was taken on Monday July 12th following a public hearing where community members spoke eloquently about the desirability of the site, presently owned by Dr. Dimambro, for a public library. They touched on the fact that it is close to the central business core, the middle school, and a number of neighborhoods, that at three acres the site is more than adequate to contain a library and parking lot, that the house, which would be incorporated into the facility, presents an attractive façade for a library. |
| Before purchasing the property, the Trustees have hired consultants to perform due diligence including site analysis, building analysis, and a hazardous materials report. Following a satisfactory outcome, the purchase is set to take place September 1, 2010. Thank you to everyone who has supported the Durham Public Library over the years in our effort to find a permanent home. This is an exciting time for both the library and the community. |
 View from the backyard.
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The current library is located in the Mill Plaza, where it has been in operation since its split from the University of New Hampshire Library in 1997.
"More than a decade ago, the town decided it needed its own library, separate from the university, to serve a broader array of community interests," said Town Administrator Todd Selig, in a statement. "A good town library is an invaluable asset both to residents and businesses."
The home was owned by Arthur DiMambro, a retired physician and artist. Town officials said he will donate several paintings for the new building.
"This is an exciting development for the Town," said board Chairman Doug Bencks, in a statement. "We've been searching for years for an ideal site that is close to the schools and to the downtown business area, has plenty of parking, and is large enough for a library. This site meets all those criteria and more."
The money paid for the site includes $100,000 from an anonymous donor.
Within the next few weeks, the property will undergo a "due diligence" inspection to ensure there are no impediments to construction. As that work progresses, the Town Council will hold a public hearing.
Bencks said the next steps are to commission a design and begin an intensive fundraising campaign to help pay for construction.
Libraries throughout New Hampshire offer a variety of entertainment and educational materials at a very economical rate.
The average New Hampshire taxpayer contributes about $26 in taxes per year to fund public libraries and their services. But how much would you need to pay out-of-pocket if you had to purchase books, movies and other library services?
