Published: June 23, 2008 11:57 am      

Westernport Library Work

Everett man helping to sculpt library

WESTERNPORT - The Westernport Library is receiving its first total makeover since opening in 1969 - thanks to the Allegany County commissioners and the state of Maryland.

The interior renovations also will be a place for local artists to install their work.

Kurt Bonello, a longtime sculptor from Everett, Pa., has created a mobile that will incorporate the planned environmental theme and tie in with the Children's Enchanted Forest. Bonello has contributed other art to the area and recently had an exhibit downtown. The mobile will be approximately 6 feet in diameter, and about 20 inches high.

Bonello's material of choice is found art, meaning anything he finds that he thinks will make a good creation. Most of his materials are recyclable and this piece will feature glass and steel.

"It was a challenge because there isn't much space," he said. "The piece will be very linear, horizontal."

The ceiling will require extra reinforcement in order to hold the mobile, but once up, it will be sound enough to hang things like Valentine's Day cards and other art made by the children and patrons.

"Sculpting is something that I do all of the time. It's great if there is an opportunity in a public place where other people can see my work," said Bonello.

Aside from the mobile, Tangram Woodwork will create the Children's Enchanted Forest. Overall, the library's decor will be themed around the wood and paper industry in the area and will include accents that represent the rivers. The furniture will bring out the wood concept and iridescent tiles will represent the water.

"We wanted to find a way to make it special and give it its own unique structure," said John Taube, Allegany County Library System director.

Allegany County contributed the majority of the funds to renovate, but the state issued the library a capital grant. Some new furniture is being purchased, and shelving as well, but the majority of the money is going to rebuilding the inside, which has been in the works for three years.

"It's going to have an inspirational element," Taube said. "Like wonder of wonders, showing people they can achieve anything they want to."

Aside from the shelving and furniture, new flooring, walls and ceilings will also be put into place. The children's part will be rebuilt as the Enchanted Forest and the adult section will have tables and easy chairs to ensure a happy reading experience.

The mobile will be placed inside the door to the right. It will be in the adult area, but visible from the Enchanted Forest, and ties in all the parts together.

The installment of the mobile is set to take place in mid-July. Taube expects the renovations to be completed by mid- to late August. After a soft opening in August, a grand opening will take place sometime in the fall.

The library is an integral part of Westernport, he said. It serves approximately 2,000 patrons a month. In addition to those checking out books, an average of 300 children per month also attend the facility's story hours.