The (Lane) Library Building committee held a meeting last Thursday evening at the home of the committee for the purpose of conferring with the architect Mr. Horace Bradt of Exeter.

The committee approved the design of the marker which will be placed over the entrance to the new wing and also approved samples of floor covering which it is planned to use in this new library section. A color scheme for wall and ceiling was likewise considered and given tentative approval.

There was a brief discussion of decorative plans which it is hoped can be carried out if money for badly needed renovations in the old library building is voted at the special Town Meeting which has been called for Wednesday evening, August 21 at the High School auditorium.

It was also decided that Mr. Bradt should make up a schedule of all new furnishings and equipment that are needed, and prepare specifications in order that these important requirements may be submitted to suppliers for bids.

Construction of the new wing to the Lane Memorial Library got underway this week following the award of the building contract to the Pierce Construction company of Stratham which submitted the low bid of $28,245. The company's secondary bid of $12,810 for necessary renovations of the old library section could not be accepted because of lack of funds. The library building committee will meet with the Board of Selectmen this evening to discuss a method of obtaining the necessary funds.

Bids for building the new wing and for considerable renovation work were received at the Library Monday evening, July 1, and the low bidder, including both phases of the project, was the Pierce Construction company of Stratham. The Pierce company's bid of $28, 245.00 for constructing the new wing was $18,646.47 under the highest bid for this particular work.

For the renovation work, the Pierce Construction bid was $12, 810.00 making the company's total for the complete job, $41,055.00. The highest bid which included both phases of the work was $67,462.49. This was $26,407.49 above the Pierce bid.

On Wednesday evening, July 3, the building committee met with the architect, Mr. Horace Bradt of Exeter for the purpose of reviewing the bidding in which ten building contractors participated. Mr. Wheaton Lane, who, with his father, is donating $10,000 toward the cost of the project, met with the group.

Because of the limited funds available for the work, the committee was able to award only the base contract, which covers construction of the new wing, to the Pierce company. The contractor has agreed to allow his secondary bid for renovation work to stand until such time as the committee ascertains whether additional funds may be secured to complete the project.

Available for the work of renovating the old library building and constructing a new wing is $35,000, of which $25,000 was voted at the last annual town meeting and $10,000 given by the Lanes, father and son. Of the money available, the committee earmarked $5,000 for necessary new furnishings and equipment and $1,500 for architect's fees, a total of $6,500. This left $28,500 which is barely sufficient to cover the base bid which was awarded last Wednesday evening.

The Library Building committee met with Selectmen Hackett and Ring last Thursday evening at the town office. As a result of the conference, the Board of Selectmen have voted to issue a call for a special town meeting when an article will be considered, asking for the appropriation of $15,000 with which to make renovation of the old library building which was constructed in 1910.

The committee held that in 47 years practically nothing had been expended for the maintenance and upkeeping of the library and that now renovation work is absolutely necessary, particularly in view of the construction of a new wing which has been started.

It was also argued that it was economical and practical to do the work now since the contractor is on the job and a considerable saving of money will result. To do the work now will make it unnecessary to disturb the library routine at some future time.

The selectmen and Judge John W. Perkins, town counsel, are endeavoring to expedite the necessary preliminary work which is of a legal nature and involves a partition to the Superior Court, in order that the special town meeting may be held at the earliest possible moment -- it is hoped, during the week of August 5.

The Pierce Construction company of Stratham, contractors for the new wing now under construction, have agreed to cooperate by allowing the supplementary bid covering renovations to stand for a reasonable time.

Funeral services for Howard G. Lane, 87, of 380 Lafayette Road, Hampton, were held Sunday afternoon, July 14, from the First Baptist church with Rev. J. Holland Maughan, pastor, and Rev. Earl Douglass of Boston, conducting the services.

Serving as bearers were O. Raymond Garland, Percy E. Jewell, Harold G. Perkins, John W. Perkins, Clarence G. Philbrook, Kenneth N. Ross, Samuel A. Towle, Philip M. Toppan and honorary bearer, Henry B. Hobbs.

A native of Hampton, Mr. Lane was born December 14, 1869, the son of Joshua and Lydia (Garland) Lane.

He was a member of the first graduating class at Hampton Academy in 1877, a graduate of New Hampton School and of the University of New Hampshire in 1891.

Mr. Lane was town treasurer for many years and served in the General Court for two terms.

He also served as president of the Golden Rule Farm of Boys at Tilton, was president of the Hampton Co-Operative Bank and served as deacon of the First Baptist Church for many years.

The donor of the Lane Memorial Library and the Lane Building at the New Hampton School, Mr. Lane also has served as president of the board of trustees of Hampton Academy, trustee of New Hampton School and of the Daniel Webster Home at Franklin.

One of the organizers of the Hampton Beach Community Church, he was in the mining business in Duluth, Minn., and retired from the mercantile business in 1930.

The mercantile business in Hampton, which he inherited from his father under the name of J.A. Lane and Co., was begun over a century ago by his two uncles, Edwin and George Lane. Not only a general store was operated, but coastwise schooners carried farm produce from the Landing to Boston and brought back general stores such as sugar and molasses.

In politics Mr. H. G. Lane was a liberal Republican, and was an early associate of such leaders as Robert P. Bass, Winston Churchill, and John G. Winant.

Survivors include a son, Wheaton J. Lane of Princeton, N.J.; two daughters, Mrs. Eloise Lane Smith of Hampton and Mrs. Leonore L. Paneyko of Fairfield, Conn., and two grandchildren.

His wife, Mrs. Sarah Hobbs Lane, passed away in 1945.

Funeral arrangements were in charge of the Sturgis Funeral home, Hampton.

Less than four months have passed since a special Library Building committee was authorized at the annual town meeting to survey the needs and supervise the construction of an addition to the Lane Memorial library -- and the new building is already underway.

Too often our democratic process of government is criticized for moving too slowly and this is most generally true when citizen committees are involved. Not so with the Library committee, however, which has gone about its business with dispatch and efficiency without sacrificing thoroughness.

It is true that the problem was quite evident and that the money had been made available by an understanding citizenry in March, but the promptness of the Library committee in carrying out its duties is highly commendable.

Through the cooperation of the Library Trustees and the Board of Selectmen, the special committee comprising James W. Tucker, chairman, Mrs. Olive Ring and Mr. Alan Bushold, has been able to expedite the building program to a point where it will possibly be available to school students when they return to their studies in the Fall.

Because of the amount of remodeling necessary to bring the original library up to modern standards, it is our understanding that a special town meeting will be called shortly to obtain funds to complete this work, which includes waterproofing the basement area to make it suitable for storage, a new heating system for the entire building, painting and redecorating.

It would seem most unwise and poor economy not to do the whole project at the same time when contractors are on the job and we hope the townspeople will give their continued support to a worthwhile project.

Churches, public schools and a good library are among any town's most valuable assets. Hampton has many fine churches. Our schools are among the best. It is only proper to round out the cultural aspects of our community with a completely modern library.

A special Hampton town meeting will be held in the High School auditorium Wednesday evening, August 21, to hear the report of the Library Building committee and to vote on an additional appropriation of $15,000 to be used mainly for badly needed renovations in the original Lane Memorial Library building.

After the committee had started its work and chosen Mr. Horace Bradt of Exeter as architect for the project, a careful examination of the premises disclosed the imperative need of changes and repairs in the main building.

Good business practice and economy seemed to demand that the repairs and alterations be made in connection with the addition of a new wing, but there was not enough money available to do the job. The municipality had appropriated $25,000 and the Lane family had donated $10,000, a total of $35,000.

So the committee conferred with the Selectmen, suggesting that a special town meeting be called to raise money for this special need. The Selectmen felt that this might better be done after specifications covering these changes and repairs were submitted for bids. Their suggestion was heeded.

Contractors submitted their bids in two parts, the first part covering the construction of the new wing and the second part, the necessary changes and renovations in the old building. Pierce Construction Company of Stratham was low bidder, its figure of $41,055 for the entire project being $26,409 under the highest of ten bids that were received.

The Pierce bid of $41,055 was divided in this way: $28,245 for the new addition and $12,810 for alterations, repairs and needed new heating facilities in the old building. The committee immediately awarded Mr. Pierce the contract for the new wing, and work on this project is proceeding on schedule. Mr. Pierce agreed to keep his other bid open, pending action on a request for a special Town Meeting and on the result of that meeting.

The Selectmen have now issued the call for the meeting, to be held on August 21, 1957. The financial picture which will then be presented to the voters is, briefly, as follows: cost of completed construction project, $41,055; architect's fees and expenses, approximately, $3,300; library furnishings, new stacks, tables, desks, chairs and cases, $5,500; total $49,855. The money available is $35,000. Therefore there is a need of the difference -- $14,855, if the Library Committee is to complete its assignment in what it considers to be a creditable manner.

"The Lane Memorial Library has been a sort of municipal step-child for too many years," said James W. Tucker, chairman of the Library Building committee, "and members of our committee feel that under the circumstances it would be impractical and inefficient to build a new library wing and not to make necessary repairs and renovations in the old building which has been neglected for years. That we may report these conditions and ask for the necessary funds is the reason for the meeting on August 21."

Because of the repairs and renovations now being made in the Lane Memorial Library, the trustees have voted to close the institution until further notice. For the time being, books may be returned during regular library hours on Wednesdays and Saturdays to the librarian or to her assistant, at the Hampton Town Office, just east of the library on the same side of (136) Winnacunnet Road.

Although work is progressing as scheduled on the new wing and on the old building, it is impossible to state with certainty as to the exact date on which the Lane Library will be reopened.

However, the contractor and everyone concerned will endeavor to finish the new wing at the earliest possible moment. When it is completed and the books moved into its new stockroom, the chief library function of loaning books will be resumed in this new and modern wing.

With the books moved out of the old Library building into this new addition, it will be possible to install new floors and redecorate the old building which will contain adult and children's reading and reference rooms. When this project is completed, the facilities of the entire building will be thrown open for public use.

In the meantime, the building committee wishes again to remind citizens that this free public library belongs to them and that their ideas and suggestions with relation to the facilities and program it should offer will be gratefully received and carefully considered. Communications of this nature may be addressed either to Dr. Harold L. Pierson or to J. W. ?Tucker, chairmen respectively of the Library Trustees and of the Building committee.

The Library Building committee encountered its first setback this week when it was learned that because of the greatly increased demand for library furnishings and equipment, caused by hundreds of new library and library enlargement projects throughout the country, it will be impossible to have the new equipment and furnishings, now on order, in place for the reopening of the Lane Memorial Library.

Therefore, the library will be reopened without the new equipment just as soon as the work has been completed in the new wing. The old stacks will be moved to the basement of the original library building and all the books placed temporarily on these shelves, where they will be available to patrons of the library. The old checkout desk and card-file will be placed in the new wing and the library will operate on this make-shift basis until the $6,000 worth of furnishings and equipment arrives.

The new stacks should be in place by the middle of November and desks, cases, tables, chairs, etc. are scheduled to arrive by December 15. It is hoped to have the formal opening of the completely renovated, enlarged and newly equipped library during the early part of the Christmas season. And in conjunction with this official opening, it is hoped to present a showing of the paintings of Hampton's well-known artist, Mr. Arthur Johnson of Winnacunnet Road and to announce other special library programs and attractions for the winter season.

"The committee sincerely regrets," stated its chairman, James W. Tucker, "The necessity of reopening the Lane Memorial Library with the old equipment and with other obvious disadvantages, but it was believed that every essential library facility which can be made available should be put to use at the earliest possible moment. At the rate work on the Library project is now going on, it should be reopened sometime during the second week in October."

A delay in the shipment of the tile flooring to be used in the new wing and on the main floors of the old building, has caused a further delay in the work of finishing the Lane Memorial Library project, which otherwise has been practically completed as far as construction is concerned.

Painting and decorating of the reading rooms and foyer of the original building will be completed after the library has been opened which probably will be on Saturday, October 26. At that time, only the new wing and the temporary stack room which has been set up in the basement of the old building will be open for use.

The committee in charge of the library enlargement and renovation project sincerely regrets the unavoidable delay in making the library facilities available.

It was stated last week in Hampton Unionthat the trustees of the Lane Memorial Library hoped to open the new wing of the Library for the issuance of books this Saturday, October 26. However, it has not been possible to adequately care for the many details involved even in such a limited opening.

Therefore, the Library Trustees have decided to ask the further indulgence of patrons relative to opening and hope next week to be able to make a conclusive statement in this regard.

By the end of this week, work in connection with the enlargement and renovation of the Lane Memorial Library will be virtually completed. Floor tile for the new wing and for the reading rooms in the original building -- the non-delivery of which accounts for a two-week delay in the work -- arrived Wednesday morning and a crew is now busily engaged in laying it. Painters and decorators completed their work Wednesday afternoon.

The new stacks are scheduled to arrive on Friday, November 15 and it is hoped that books may be transferred from the temporary shelving which has been set up in the basement room of the old building, to their permanent places on the new stacks during the weekend. All of the other library furniture and equipment is expected to be delivered during the weekend of December 14 and placed in position immediately. Between this time and Christmas, it is hoped that the formal opening of the new library will occur.

The library trustees have arranged to have the books carefully cleaned and re-arranged during the latter part of this week and hope to be able to announce definite plans for reopening the library early next week.

The Lane Memorial Library will be open for the convenience of its patrons next Monday afternoon and evening, November 18, 1957. Both the Winnacunnet road and Academy avenue entrances will be open, with the delivery desk located at the south end of the new wing. Books are temporarily stacked in the basement room of the original section.

The new library furnishings including stacks, desks, file cases, book cases, tables, chairs. etc., will not be available until some time in December, so that it will be necessary temporarily to use the old furniture and equipment.

The Library committee and the trustees regret the necessity of opening without the new equipment. However, it was felt that there should be no delay, now that the contractor has finished his work, in putting the limited facilities now available at the disposal of the community.

Sometime after the furnishings are in place, probably the latter part of December or the early part of January, there will be a formal opening of the new library.

In spite of the fact that she was handicapped in being obliged to use old equipment and improvised book stacks, Mrs. Margaret Noyes reported a successful reopening of the Lane Memorial Library Monday evening.

Practically every patron expressed appreciation of the newly enlarged and beautiful, modern interior.

It is hoped that the new stacks and all of the other new furnishings and equipment will be in place by the middle of December, following which a date for the formal reopening will be set.

Until further notice the library will be open Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays from 2:30 until 5 in the afternoons and from 7 until 9 o'clock in the evening.

LIGHT AND AIRY INTERIOR of the newly completed wing of the Lane Memorial library was opened Monday evening. The new structure costing $35,000 is completed and the renovations to the original building finished, except for the installation of the new book stacks and furniture, which is expected to arrive in late December. The new stacks will be placed in the area directly behind the desk in the lower left. Hampton Union, Thursday, November 28, 1957, p.1

At a meeting of the library committee, held Monday evening at the home of the chairman, J. W. Tucker, Sr., it was voted to set Sunday, January 5, 1958 as the tentative date for the formal opening of the enlarged and renovated Lane Memorial Library. Short dedication exercises will be held at 2:30 o'clock, to be followed by an inspection period lasting until six.

The new book stacks arrived last Monday and their assembly is now practically completed. Books will be transferred from temporary shelves in the basement of the old building to the modern stacks in the new wing over the weekend.

The new library furnishings and equipment are scheduled to be shipped by truck from the factory on Friday of this week and should be in place before the middle of next week. After that, a definite program will be arranged for the formal opening on Sunday afternoon, January 5.

At the meeting on Monday evening, the matter of forming a Community Library Committee was discussed and was as the consensus of opinion that such a volunteer group can be of great assistance to the trustees in helping to make the enlarged library a real center of culture in the community. Citizens who would like to be included in such a group are invited to contact Dr. Pierson, chairman of the Library Trustees.

A detailed list of small matters that require attention before formal acceptance of the building, was made up by the committee for transmission to the contractor through the architect, Mr. Horace Bradt of Exeter.

A feature of the opening on January 5 will be an exhibit of many of the paintings of Mr. Arthur Johnson, a widely known local painter whose studio is in his home on Winnacunnet Road.

The Lane Memorial Library, which recently has been enlarged, renovated and refurnished, will be formally opened Sunday afternoon, January 5.

There will be a very short and informal ceremony of rededication at 2:30 o'clock in which the architect, the builder, the library committee and the trustees will have a part. It is hoped that Mr. Wheaton Lane and Mrs. Eloise Lane Smith will be able to participate in these exercises.

The new stacks and the other furniture and equipment have been installed and the builder has completed his work with the installation of new convector type heating units in the two reading rooms. New shades and drapes have been hung and the library is nearly ready for the formal opening.

At present, the staff is engaged in transferring books from the temporary storage shelves to their permanent places on the new stacks and to various bookcases in the reading rooms. The project is difficult and entails considerable time and much hard work. For this reason, it has been necessary to close the library until the transfer has been entirely completed. It is not now known whether the library will be open before January 5.

Following the short exercises on Sunday afternoon, January 5, the complete plant will remain open for public inspection until six o'clock. Mr. Arthur Johnson, the well known Hampton artist, will exhibit fifteen of his paintings which will include portraits and marine studies. During the afternoon refreshments will be served by Mrs. Marvelle Mitchell, the popular caterer of Haverhill, Mass. The Hampton Garden Club is to provide floral decorations.

The public is cordially invited to attend the formal opening of the new Lane Memorial Library at 2:30 o'clock on Sunday afternoon, January 5, 1958.

An excellent opportunity will be provided this Sunday afternoon, January 5, from two until six o'clock, for the citizens of Hampton to inspect the greatly increased facilities of the Lane Memorial Library on Winnacunnet Road.

The new wing and the renovations of the old building give the local cultural institution about three times the floor space which it had originally and it has been completely refurnished. Stack space has been more than doubled. The committee in charge of the project hopes that all citizens will avail themselves of this opportunity to become acquainted with their new public library.

The [Hampton] Garden Club is furnishing floral decorations for the occasion. Hampton's well known artist, Arthur Johnson, will exhibit a collection of his paintings. George Downer of Downer Electric Appliances will personally supervise the installation of high fidelity record equipment in order that there may be an appropriate musical background for the unusual event.

Refreshments will be served by Marvel Mitchell, the Haverhill caterer who has achieved a high degree of local popularity by reason of the attractiveness and excellence of her service.

At 2:30 o'clock there will be a short and informal program of rededication in which the architect, Mr. Horace Bradt of Exeter; the building, Mr. James Pierce of Stratham, the selectmen and town manager, the library trustees and the building committee will have a part.

The library will remain open until at least six o'clock to accommodate all visitors. The State Librarian and librarians from all the nearby communities have been especially invited to attend. Regular library hours will be resumed on Monday, January 6.

Last Sunday afternoon, the enlarged and modernized Lane Memorial Library was rededicated by the chairman of the Board of Library Trustees, Dr. Harold Pierson, to a broader program of cultural service to the community.

In view of the expanded facilities, Dr. Pierson expressed the hope that the Library might be opened longer hours; that a children's program be arranged and that cultural features for adults, including exhibits of arts and crafts, could be included in the projected service to Hampton.

He told of the need of a substantially increased library budget to care for all the costs involved in the larger library building and the expanded service which the trustees hope to render.

The formal opening of the new library Sunday afternoon attracted close to 200 citizens, all of whom were generous in their praise of the increased facilities, the colorful decorative scheme, the new furniture and fixtures and the unusually efficient lighting. Officials of other libraries in the area were also present.

The short program at 2:30 o'clock was opened with prayer by the Rev. William MacInnes, pastor of the Congregational church. J. W. Tucker, Sr., head of the Library Building committee, acted as chairman. He told briefly of the committee's work and introduced the builder, Mr. James Pierce, head of the Pierce Construction Company of Stratham; Mr. Horace Bradt of Exeter, the architect; Selectman Donald A. Ring and the chairman of the Library Trustees, Dr. Pierson.

The builder handed the keys of the new library to the architect, who in turn presented them to Selectman Ring. As representative of the Town of Hampton, Mr. Ring gave the keys to the chairman of the Board of Library Trustees, Dr. Pierson whose interesting speech of rededication was closely followed by the audience. The brief ceremonies were closed with a benediction by the Rev. MacInnes.

Following the exercises, refreshments were served in the adult reading room at a beautifully decorated buffet table by Mrs. Marvel Mitchell of Haverhill, Mass.

The feature attraction of the afternoon was a display on the large peg-board in the new wing, of the art work of Hampton's well-known painter, Mr. Arthur Johnson. The exhibit included portraits, landscapes and seascapes in oil and specimens of Mr. Johnson's excellent work in water colors, pastels and charcoal. Even friends of the local painter who are aware of his great talent, were amazed at this local showing of his exceptional ability and versatility. The pictures have been on display this week and may be seen during Library hours Saturday afternoon and evening.

Mr. George Downer's thoughtfulness in loaning high fidelity record equipment for the occasion made possible a background of most enjoyable music during the afternoon. The beautiful floral decorations provided by the Hampton Garden Club and other friends of the library also added greatly to the success of the program.

Mr. Wheaton Lane of the family whose generosity made possible the public library in the first instance and whose munificent gift of $10,000 sparked the activity which led to the enlargement and modernization program, as an honored guest of the occasion was greeted and thanked by many personal friends and by friends of the library.

The committee appointed last March by Moderator Edward S. Seavey, Jr., to have charge of the library project consisted of J. W. Tucker, Sr., chairman; Alan Bushold, secretary; Mrs. Bernice Palmer, Dr. Harold Pierson, Mrs. Olive Ring and Mrs. Ruth True.

We suspect that the hundreds of Hampton citizens who attended the rededication and open house ceremonies Sunday, marking the formal opening of the renovated Lane Memorial Library, share with us the feeling that Hampton now has public library accommodations which can be considered among the finest in the state.

Members of the special building committee, the Library Trustees, town officials and Mr. Wheaton J. Lane, whose generous gift inspired the renovation, must certainly be commended for the manner in which the program was expedited and fulfilled.

The completeness of the renovation is a credit to the foresight of the building committee and Trustees who were not content with doing a half-way job even if it meant going back to the taxpayers for additional funds, which were overwhelmingly approved at a Special town meeting, in order that the building be put into first class condition for future generations to enjoy.

As stated in this column previously, a public library can be among the finest assets of any town and Hampton is certainly no exception. But it will take more than a new, modern building to effect a real contribution to this town's growth.

It was interesting to note the Library Trustees will favor an improved and enlarged program which could make the library the center of cultural activities in this community. An expansive program, such as has been outlined, will cost money without question, but we trust that the townspeople will share the Trustees views that now we have the opportunity to institute a really worthwhile library program for the people of Hampton -- and more especially its younger citizens as a valuable adjunct to the public schools.

Too long has the town's library been the "forgotten child" of municipal budget discussions. We would hope that the voters agree that in the Lane Memorial Library the town has a valuable asset, which can be measured in more than dollars.

An increased budget for this facility deserves consideration.