The Gardner library welcomed the Gardner Chamber of Commerce, Mayor Todd Winters, City council members Tory Roberts and Mark Wiehn to a ribbon cutting ceremony Tuesday, March 7.

The library was built in 2000 and opened in 2001, but recently had a roof replacement and other renovation work.

Jason Lieb, chamber president, welcomed everyone and said it obviously wasn’t a new building but the library had undergone an incredible remodel and renovation.

John Keogh, branch manager, said it was noticeable that work needed to be done.

They replaced the boiler, roof, HVAC system and updated physical safety code requirements along with making the building more ADA compatible.

“It was a lot of work to get it up to code,” he said.

Keogh said they also closed the opening in the wall behind the circulation desk, put in a new emergency door and replaced “end of life stuff.”

Adam Wathen, associate director for systemwide servicves, said the challenges of operating during the Covid pandemic helped prepare them to continue to maintain services to their patrons while the building was closed.

“We had over a thousand pickups,” he said.

Mayor Todd Winters thanked everyone for attending the ribbon cutting ceremony and was impressed by all the services the library offers.

“The library is a valuable asset right here in the heart of the community,” he said. “We are excited about the redevelopment of downtown and believe it fits in nice. It is a tremendous asset for the city.”