Crawford Library begins new chapter.

DUDLEY - About 100 people braved the damp and chilly weather to attend the groundbreaking

April 4 for the new Pearle L. Crawford Memorial Library. The sun broke through the clouds just as the event got under way at the site of the former Town Hall on Schofield Avenue.

The ceremony opened with the presentation of colors by St. Anthony of Padua Boy Scout Troop 273 members Mike White, Ben Records and Jamal Mufti.

Speakers included Patricia Korch, head of the library board of trustees; Anne Marie Safaee, co-chairwoman of the library building committee, Brian Germain, chairman of selectmen; and Vicki Kaufman, Massachusetts Board of Libraries commissioner.

Ms. Korch said, "I'm so very proud to be here today as part of a community that places such high value on lifelong learning, and has shown this through your support of our public library."

Both Ms. Korch and Ms. Safaee thanked those involved in the project, including the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, for awarding the Crawford Library a library construction grant; Mr. and Mrs. Hugh Crawford for their generous pledge; the Get Out The Vote Committee; Dudley voters for their support at town meeting and at the ballot box; the Capital Campaign committee; and all the individuals and businesses who made donations and pledges that have totaled close to $1 million.

Standing with the remains of the nearly demolished town hall in the background, Ms.Safaee said, "To all of you, this site might not look pretty, but to me it's beautiful. It means that there is no going back and we are on our way. And next year, at this time, there will sit a beautiful new library for all of Dudley's residents to enjoy."

Ms. Safaee introduced her Building Committee co-chairman, Robert Grzyb, and said, "with his experience in the construction industry, (Bob) has been our guiding light through much of the planning and design process."

Mr. Germain commended the dedication and hard work that was required to bring the library project to this point, and acknowledged there were still challenges to be met. "We're facing one of the worst economic times in history," he said, "but when the smoke clears, and it will, we will have a great resource that will benefit all or us now and for generations to come."

ART: PHOTO

PHOTOG: T&G Staff/DAN GOULD

CUTLINE: Boy Scout Troop 273 presents the colors and leads the Pledge of Allegiance during the library's groundbreaking ceremony.