GREENFIELD — With a little more than two months having passed since the opening of the new Greenfield Public Library, those who raised money to make the construction possible held an event Thursday to thank donors.

“The core brand promise of the library is inclusion,” Mitch Anthony of the Greenfield Public Library Foundation said in a speech. “This is a place where everyone can fulfill their own interest, whatever that might be.”

The new library opened its doors to the public in July, hosting a large celebration that included a visit from Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll. The 26,000- square-foot building opened more than a decade after the vision for a new library was first discussed, and nearly four years after Greenfield voters approved its construction with a 61% positive vote.

The $19.5 million appropriation accounted for construction costs as well as those of the architect, project manager, and furniture and fixtures, according to Library Building Committee Co-Chair Ed Berlin. In addition to a $9.4 million grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Greenfield Public Library Foundation said it would contribute about $2 million that would be raised from donors, reducing the city’s cost to approximately $8.1 million. Berlin shared at the grand opening that the project came in $1.4 million under budget.

The Greenfield Public Library Foundation board of directors presented the city of Greenfield with its third check for $500,000 earlier this month. This was the third of four funding installments the foundation will deliver to the city.

The foundation made this contribution on behalf of the hundreds of residents of Greenfield and beyond who donated to the library’s construction. Those invited to Thursday’s celebration donated more than $1,000.

Many donors at the event spoke about how it was a “no-brainer” to support the effort.

“I think you have to continue to invest in the things you believe in,” said donor Beth Lorenz, who has been a Greenfield business owner and resident since 1984. “Access to reading is so important.”

Lorenz said she thinks the new library is a great investment for the city, and she hopes people will continue to use it and feel welcome. In its first two weeks online, the new library welcomed 200 new patrons and reactivated the expired patron cards of 300 others, according to the library director’s report.

Donor Flo Stahl echoed that sentiment, saying, “The library is going to give Greenfield a wonderful reputation. … Everyone is proud of it.”

She said when the library hosts public civic events, the library’s mission will become apparent to visitors.

Terry Ruggles, vice president of the Greenfield Public Library Foundation, explained they did most of the fundraising during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns. He said many people believed the foundation would not reach its $2 million goal because of the crisis the world was facing.

However, Ruggles said the community understood that the original library next door, the Leavitt-Hovey House, faced serious issues in being a usable public space.

“We began to sell the concept of libraries as a gathering space and people were very giving,” he said.

Donor Linda Smith said, “This building shows we are forward-thinking and willing to invest in our community.”

With the full $2 million in pledges achieved, the foundation is able to make transfers to the city on a regular basis. As pledged funds continue to be collected, the foundation plans to make its final payment at some point next year.

As the foundation moves into its next fundraising phase in support of the new library, community members who are interested in donating can visit the Greenfield Public Library Foundation’s website at bit.ly/3PAStqm or mail checks to P.O. Box 352, Greenfield, MA 01302. The foundation can be reached by email at gplfoundation.info@gmail.com.

Bella Levavi can be reached at 413-930-4579 or blevavi@recorder.com.