The Campaign for Bement

Report of Phase II Completion

Clagett McLennan Library Opens
The vision for Bement's library became a reality this fall. Backhoes, jack hammers, bucket trucks, and hard hats became part of the landscape. A building committee met weekly, choosing colors, tiles, carpet, shelves, and furniture. The search for a librarian began, and we actually started to consider books we'd need to buy. Bement felt like a school with a library, but a library without a name.

This changed on October 15, when Stephanie McLennan '85 announced to the trustees that she and her mother, Judy McLennan '60, would offer the library the largest gift in its campaign. Their gift continues decades of family financial leadership inspired by C. Thomas Clagett, Judy's father and Stephanie's grandfather, whose longstanding support of Bement's endowment has funded professional development for the school's faculty. Head of School Shelley Borror Jackson confesses that she's "deeply moved by such unwavering commitment from the Clagett/McLennan family. For generations, they've helped Bement in every possible way, and our teaching is undeniably better because of Clagett Fund. Their quick ability to see how much they could strengthen the school through a major gift to the library is a testament to their ability to understand the school's needs. It will be an honor to see the Clagett and McLennan names welcome students into such a special new space."

While Stephanie had the fun of announcing her family's gift to the trustees, Judy also had perspectives to share. For her, "the new library at Bement is an essential element of this warm and caring school community. The students will be able to climb mountains, explore the world, travel to distant lands, and learn about other people and their cultures. We live in a global world, and it is so important to understand each other and learn how we can help one another. The fear most people have of one another is based on lack of understanding. The new library will help Bement students become knowledgeable, curious, and interested."

And so the Clagett McLennan Library was born, and a joyful, appreciative school awaits its opening in the spring.

The library will provide the following benefits:

• A comprehensive K-9 Bement School resource collection, directly aligned with Bement's specific curriculum.
• A computer lab for research and class use.
• A computer lab for music and language development and instruction.
• A reading and presentation room for relaxed and individual reading development.
• Increased interaction between upper and lower school students and faculty.
• A supportive location for boarder study halls.
• Technology to support all areas of the curriculum.
• Consolidation of all professional resources.
• Age-appropriate zones for formal study and relaxed reading
• Increased opportunities for students to learn research and library skills under the tutelage of a professional librarian.

A library has the power to strengthen virtually every corner of our school. This is an unusual opportunity in the school's 80-year history and represents a chance for all of us to participate in Bement's future.

Please contact Claudia Pazmany, Director of Alumni/ae & Development, if you have any questions regarding the Campaign for Bement at (413) 774-7061, or email at cpazmany@bement.org.