PRINCETON — Poet Langston Hughes would have been proud of Princeton Saturday. As the city opened its brand new library, it also realized all sorts of dreams bound up in books, the wonders of technology, a beautiful restored landmark and the spirit of the community that made the day possible.

“This is proof that we can still dream. Thank goodness Mrs. Stafford could still dream,” Mayor Dewey Russell said, honoring the driving forces behind the move from Center Street to Mercer Street as library backers prepared to cut the ribbon and invite Princeton into its re-energized public library. “Emilie Holroyd could still dream. Connie Shumate could still dream.”

It was years in the writing, but Saturday marked the first day in the library's next chapter, as it officially moved out of a sturdy brick building that was simply too small to house all of the information and activity that thrived under the administration of Princeton Public Library Director Connie Shumate and a board of directors that never turned away a worthy idea.

Although Shumate said she and Russell didn't collaborate when writing their addresses to a ribbon-cutting ceremony that required the closure of Mercer Street briefly Saturday morning, she too, focused on dreams.

Quoting Hughes' famous poem, she said, “ 'Hold fast to dreams. For if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.' That's what a whole lot of people here have done for 10 years. They held fast to a dream.”

The plan to put the vibrant Princeton Public Library inside an empty former post office began sometime after the year 2000, when the post office moved into a new structure a couple of blocks away. At the time, Emilie Holroyd, Ann “Dink” Stafford and Martha Draper were among the driving forces on the PPL Board of Directors. Two of those ladies passed away while the project was in the works, and a sudden illness kept Stafford away from the grand opening ceremony.

But the library still carries their marks, and Shumate said she knew they were smiling somewhere Saturday, a sentiment Robert “Bob” Holroyd echoed in his keynote address.

“We meet here today in what must be considered by most of us to be a miracle,” he said. “Those of us who have ridden past this magnificent building on the old streetcars atop the brick streets framed by the wooden sidewalks, marvel at what has been accomplished in this almost-80-year-old building.”

Referring to the friendship between Emilie Holroyd and Ann Stafford, Holroyd recalled with reverence how the two ladies divided by politics but united in purpose, joined forces to secure the former Princeton Post Office site for $75,000, even though its selling price was $225,000.

“Miss Emilie and Dink went after the idea with all the dedication, skill, tenacity and single purpose of a couple of generals planning a war,” Holroyd said.

Then, the real work began, as supporters started raising funds to hit the $4.1-million mark to restore and furnish the brand new library in an old home with a new look. The Hunnicutt Foundation, Shott Foundation, the Draper family, Kendrick family and many, many contributors joined the cause, and E.T. Boggess Architects, Fredeking-Stafford Construction and Main Street Builders set out to turn a strong shell into a library fit for a community that loves its library.

Three weeks ago, the Princeton Public Library closed its Center Street location, and a dedicated team of staffers and volunteers literally put their backs behind the project.

“Moving 100,000 books is no small task, but they did it in about 12 days,” Shumate said, thanking all of the staff and workers for their efforts. “You're all so very important.”

But, while Shumate held up a stack of papers at least four inches thick full of people she wished to thank, Holroyd reminded her that she was one of the hardest-driving forces behind the library.

“Connie Shumate went far beyond the call of duty and basically dedicated her life to make this a reality. For that, this community will always owe her our thanks,” he said.

His address wouldn't have been complete without an expression of his appreciation to Stafford, one of his wife's dearest friends, despite the fact that their politics were dramatically different and extremely important to both ladies.

“Dink, there is not a person in this community you haven't touched - and I don't mean just for a contribution to the library fund. Your work and this facility will continue to influence the life of this community for generations,” Holroyd said. “If it weren't for you, we simply wouldn't be here today. On behalf of this community, I thank you.”

West Virginia Library Commission Director J.D. Waggoner was on hand for the opening Saturday, congratulating Shumate and Princeton on the new facility full of public-access computers, community initiatives and ideas.

“The library is a destination,” he said, reminding Princeton, “There is still room to dream.”

While the Princeton community funded a large portion of the library project, it did so with the assistance of the United States Department of Agriculture Community Facilities Program and a $160,000 grant to help furnish the interior. The USDA's Bobby Lewis presented Shumate with a plaque in honor of the library's accomplishment, advising the city to see PPL as a reflection of itself.

“This library is really not about USDA and what we can do for you,” he said. “It's about you as a community.”

As the official comments wound to a close amid applause from a packed house inside the library, tours of the state-of-the art facility commenced. Around the circulation desk, library patron Dale Bailey became the first person to return books to the brand new library, and others excitedly got in line to secure a new library card to replace the former style of laminated IDs.

Downstairs, little readers scanned books designated just for them in a room decorated with a yellow submarine on the ceiling and fish on the floor, and grownups perused the multimedia conference room, computer terminals and more.

“It's the prettiest basement I've ever been in,” Shumate said.

Saturday's festivities also included a special story hour for young library patrons, a poetry reading and more. Although the library was closed on Sunday, it re-opened for regular hours on Monday. For information on PPL, its services and more, call (304) 487-5045.

— Contact Tammie Toler at ttoler@ptonline.net.