Allan Appel Photo
Secret revelers at library’s Mardi Gras.
There were Oysters Rockefeller in Reference and balloons and chardonnay in Nonfiction as the New Haven Free Public Library brought its annual Mardi Gras fundraiser in-house due to tough economic times.
The $40,000 to $50,000 expected to be raised at the festive event Tuesday night might be a record. It will help fund general operations and not mitigate newly shortened hours at the branches.
The library recently laid off 12 full and part-time staff members, part of the 82 citywide who lost their jobs in the first major municipal job cut to help close a $5.5 million hole in the current fiscal year budget.
The party for the past dozen years has been held at the Lawn Club. But tough times and a recent 5 percent cut in the budget inspired the library’s board to bring the event to the main branch Tuesday night.
If you bought a $50 ticket, you got a necklace of colored beads as you entered, and a rollicking good time.
The effect of partying among the stacks was not only to increase income but also to show people where the money goes.
Staff spent the day moving computers and books and making way for Sage American Grill of City Point and the more than a dozen other community-minded eateries that contributed food without charge for approximately 250 guests, masked and unmasked, who gathered on the main floor
The result was what library board President Elsie Chapman called a “homecoming.”
Many who might be generous but not have set foot in the main branch for years, were now here. “It’s a dream come true,” Chapman said.
“It shows the library off at its best and shows where the support goes,” said Democratic Town Committee Chairwoman Susie Voigt (pictured with mystery friend). She said she spends much more time at her local branch, Mitchell. Except for occasional meetings downstairs, she hadn’t been to the main branch in several years.
Library Patrons Board Chair Ed Bottomley listened to the Funky Butt Jazz Band on the balcony above the main entry. He pronounced the Ives Building not only one of the grandest interior spaces in the city but, surprise, acoustically brilliant as well.
“What better place to have a fundraiser than where the money is needed?” he added.
Mardi Gras organizer Barbara Segaloff,
The party’s chief organizer, library develpoment director Barbara Segaloff, (pictured by the handiwork of William Turpin of Charli’s Cupcake Factory of West Haven), was thrilled at the presence of so many restaurants represented, along with at least half a dozen local wine purveyors.
Jonathan Fredyna of Eder Brothers of West Haven was pouring a Beringer California chardonnay at what could still be recognized as the main information desk.
“It [the free donation of services and high attendance] shows how the library is valued,” Segaloff said.
Sage’s Dave McCoart feeds oysters to Downtown Alderwomn Bitsie Clark.
According to the press release for this year’s Mardi Gras, “The funds raised will help the library focus on critical services pertaining to early childhood development, business economic development, and assisting customers with job searches.”
I was there, as i try to be every year, and i actually thought being at the NHFPL was so much better then the lawn club.
Barbara Seagloff and Kathy Hurly are two of the most real, and genuine people you'll find in this town, and i want to express my gratitude to both of them.
Was happy to see both the independent and Citizens Television in the house, wouldn't be a local event without them.