Tanya Patton: Columbia County Rural Library District
A Place for "Rest and Relaxation"
Tucannon farmer Henry Delany and his wife Alice felt so strongly about the need for a community building that they left a $90,000 trust to help get the job done. Their wills stated that the money be used to build a place suited for the "rest and relaxation" and "recreation" of the citizens of Columbia County and that any money left over after the completion of the building would be kept in trust and the interest used to help pay for the building's maintenance.
For 12 years the Delany money sat in the bank and collected interest until Dayton city officials were directed by participants of a Town Hall meeting to get the project rolling. Over $60,000 in HUD funds were added to the Delany trust and an annex to the Dayton Memorial Library planned.
When the Henry Delany Memorial Building opened its doors in 1976, it was available six days a week. Clubs paid just $5 a meeting and part-time Dayton librarian, Claire Saucier, was hired full time to manage the library and coordinate the building's use. Clubs of all kinds met there and it was often used as a place to host parties, showers and receptions. Several government agencies met there also.
As time went on, the cost of operating and maintaining the building increased as did the rental fee. Last year the cost to rent the building for a full day was $30 and a half day was $20. That's pretty darn reasonable by big city standards, but most local clubs and budget crunched agencies couldn't afford that rate. Building use dwindled to just two or three reservations a month.
Good news: Beginning January 2nd, the Delany Building will be open (really open) to the public six days a week, and better yet, it will be FREE! The CCRLD has agreed to manage the Delany Building and Dayton Memorial Library as one entity. As part of the library, the Delany Room will be available for casual use whenever the library is open unless reserved in advance for a library program, club or organization.
The Delany Room will provide a quiet place to study, relax with a book or take advantage of the library's wireless internet.
The CCRLD Board agrees with Henry and Alice Delany—our community needs a public gathering place—and we are pleased to offer this important service, free of charge, to our community.
Copyright (c) 2008, Blue Mountain News