Topping off ceremony planned for library

Posted by Press Release on June 27, 2022

A topping off ceremony for the Kennett Library currently under construction is planned for July 14.

Construction of the new Kennett Library & Resource Center is about to reach a new milestone with the placement of the last steel beam. All are invited to join us as we celebrate the tradesmen who have been hard at work on this new building for the last eight months. This event marks the “topping off” of this project that has been planned for more than 20 years and will serve our community for generations to come.

The event site at State and Willow streets will open at 7:00 a.m. for anyone who wants to sign the beam. The formal ceremony will begin at 8:30 a.m. Followed by the raising of the beam at about 9 a.m.

“Predominantly, topping off ceremonies are reserved for projects that hold significant meaning to the organization and, most importantly, to the community,” said Jeff Yetter, president of the Library Board of Trustees in a press release. “Completing the steel for this building gets us one step closer to opening the new Kennett Library & Resource Center that will transform this community.”

As part of the ceremony, representatives from the PA Library Association will present the Kennett Library with Gold Certification for exceeding state library standards. “This is the highest level of achievement for Pennsylvania libraries. I’m really excited by the work we do and to be recognized as one of the top performers in the state is a true honor,” said Library Director Chris Manna.

A ‘topping off’ ceremony is a long-standing tradition of construction workers, particularly steel workers, to commemorate the completion of a building’s structure – specifically the placement of the final steel beam. In keeping with the tradition, the beam placed atop the Kennett Library & Resource Center will be adorned with an evergreen tree on one end and an American flag on the other.

Light breakfast refreshments will be offered.

The Kennett Library & Resource Center will serve the Borough of Kennett Square, East Marlborough; Kennett; Newlin; New Garden; Pennsbury, and West Marlborough Townships. The “Imagine” Campaign has already raised $15.5 million of the $21.7 million project costs and the goal is to open next spring debt-free. We are grateful to the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, County Commissioners, and municipal representatives for their support. There is a wonderful community of donors being gathered to make this dream possible.