Lamont library needs funding to finish

Higher-than-expected costs have held back construction of Lamont’s first library. Mayor Mike Thomas said the building, a steel kit building, was erected about a year ago, yet the interior remains unfinished.

Costs for the concrete pad and assembly of the building were higher than originally anticipated. Even with more than 800 hours of volunteer labor, those costs exhausted the town’s funding and has delayed completion.

“All the bids for every thing just came in way higher than anybody thought,” said Mayor Thomas.

Primary funding source for the project was a $52,000 grant from the county’s .09 economic development fund.

The library building still needs interior framing for a small office and restroom, as well as dry wall, plumbing, wiring and heating.

In June, the Friends of the Lamont Library conducted a book sale to raise funds for the library’s completion, but that was not enough to push progress, said Thomas.

He estimated framing for the office and bathroom would cost around $3,000. That work, he added, could result in a range of prices to finish the wiring and plumbing. All told, he said, the building could be finished for $10,000 to $15,000.

Lamont voters in November approved annexation into the library district. Under normal arrangements, towns in the district are required to provide a location for the district’s operation.

Anyone interested in volunteering labor or making a monetary donation to the library project can contact city hall. Friends of the Library has a special fund dedicated for the Lamont library construction.

In the meantime, Lamont residents can request books from the county library’s web site. Thomas will pick them up from the St. John library and bring them to Lamont. A drop box will be installed near the Lamont Community Center for book returns.