Library Director Seth Nutt thanked the late Richard and Jeanette Tavella during the ribbon cutting ceremony. The Tavellas left their estate, a total of $4.5 million, to the City of Frontenac to build a library, which the city learned of in 2019. Nutt was then hired as the director in 2022, construction started in 2024 and the building was completed earlier this year.
“The beauty in (the Tavellas’) gift was that there were no strings attached to their generosity, no instruction manual on how they wanted it to be built,” Nutt said. “They trusted the city to build a library that would fit our community's needs, and also build something strong that would continue to serve Frontenac for generations.”
Attendees got a first look at the library during the open house and could sign up for library cards. The new Heritage Hall Museum was also open, and so was the McKay Street Coffeehouse, which has been open since June. Both are in the same building as the library.
Frontenac has never had a public library or museum of its own before because of the town’s proximity to Pittsburg. Now, patrons have access to computers, printers, work spaces and a community room in addition to the books at the library. There is also a study room for students.
“It truly was designed to be the living room of the community,” Nutt said. “A place to unite us and bring generations together.”
Similarly, the Heritage Hall Museum also has a room set aside for local history and genealogy research. The exhibits throughout the museum were built to look like the town’s original buildings, with their windows and doors acting as display cases.
“It's a place where history lives, where memories are honored and where the future generations will come to understand the roots of our community,” Mayor Steve Morrison said.
When Morrison spoke during the ribbon cutting ceremony, he thanked City Councilwoman LaDonna Pyle, her family and friends for preparing each of the library’s books over the last two years.
“There is probably not a book in this library that hasn't been touched and processed by their hands,” he said.
Many other members of the community helped with various stages of the project. Morrison also thanked the city staff, volunteers and members of the library and historical boards who were involved with the planning and logistics, and the high school students who helped move the books to the library during the summer.
“Every contribution mattered,” he said. “This library is more than a building. It is a symbol of what we can achieve when all ages, backgrounds and talents unite for a common purpose.”
Patrons can visit the library from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. More information about the library’s services can be found on their website.
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