Having concluded the first fortyeight years of library service in Tully, the Board was in a position to give concentrated effort to a building project. Recognizing the limitations of the current building and the need for additional and better

In early 1984, Wilma Fessenden, Board president and Tom Carlsen, an interested library supporter, met with OLS director, Mr. Kinchen, "to discuss possibilities for

After months of examining the options, the Board agreed to have an architect look over and assess the present facility. Investigations proved that the rear portion of the building, particularly the foundation was in bad shape. The architect recommended it be demolished. With this information, the decision was made to refurbish the front part of the present building to house the office and reading room. The area to be added to this would consist of space for all book stacks, a large community room with efficiency kitchen facilities and an

By June 1985 enough research had been done to give the Board president and trustees confidence that the needed funds could be raised to complete and equip a building. The total cost was projected at $150,000. Over the next year, many fund raising events were scheduled to help raise money for the proposed renovations. Finally, by the Fall of 1986, it was possible to advertise for bids, which were opened October 30, 1986. The contracts were signed by the president in

A Norway Spruce tree had grown in the backyard of the library edging the back wall, and had to be removed before construction could start.
In April 1986, a letter was sent to Syracuse Mayor Tom Young, offering the tree to the city as its Christmas tree in Clinton Square for the holidays of 1986. The tree

In February 1987, demolition of the back part of the library began. Decisions about color or roof shingles, selection of hardware, carpeting, flooring, and other similar decisions were made by the sub-committee; Ruth Poellot, Ann Padget, Ed

After many problems, annoying developments, delays, and changes, there were plans made to hold an open house at the Library on Sunday, May 22, 1988, with a dedication ceremony that would commemorate a milestone in the history of Tully Free Library.