It’s not easy taking care of a building that was constructed in 1887, and George Hail Free Library Director Chris Matos knows that all too well.

Travelers along Main Street likely noticed that scaffolding has gone up around the historic structure in the past few days. It signifies the beginning of phase one of two crucial renovations that the library has undertaken to further ensure the stability and longevity of the building.

Matos became aware that something needed to be done over the course of the past few months, noticing a leak in her office space from one of the large tower spires that grace the impressive structure. When a roofing company went up to check it out, they said that multiple areas of the aging granite blocks needed to be repointed, and a faulty rubber gasket that helps protect from water intrusion within the aforementioned tower would need to be replaced to fix the leak.

The roof repointing is coming first, and will take about a month, Matos said. The library hired Jesse Marshall and his company, Renaissance Roofing Co., out of Northbridge, Mass., due to their specialty in fixing up historic roof structures. They were hired to work on the Baptist Church and the Town Hall for previous issues, Matos said.

The second phase will have to wait until 2024 in order to secure more funding. The entire project is going to cost around $150,000, Matos said. Thankfully, a donor (the Marszalek family), helped out with a large cash infusion to get the first phase going. Matos said she would be seeking grants from the Warren Heritage Foundation and the Champlin Foundation to help with offsetting the rest of the costs.

“Everything's expensive, especially if you want it done right,” Matos said. “If you want bubble gum and duct tape, you can maybe save some money. But yeah, I'm learning as I'm taking care of this building that we should probably do it right.”

As for impact to the library, it will remain open throughout construction. However, entry will be limited to the Croade Street side entrance while the repointing is happening around the main entrance.

“It's just a central resource for so many great things and it houses that great museum collection,” Matos said of why she feels responsibility to maintain the building. “It's just so meaningful to everybody in the town that we need to make sure we maintain it. Besides, it's beautiful. Tourists come from all over the world to see this building.”

Want to help?
The library has launched a crowdfunding campaign, if anyone wishes to help finance the sustained life of one of Warren’s most iconic buildings.
You can use this link to donate to their fund, or write a check made out to “George Hail Free Library.”