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Home > Departments > Presentations > Public Library Construction > 12. Groundbreaking
- Groundbreaking is an important occasion. Take advantage of its positive benefits.
- Although the groundbreaking takes place out of doors, it's a great deal easier to entertain people indoors at the end of the ceremony.
- If you will be having speeches out of doors, you will need a PA system. Many speakers cannot be heard out of doors, and many people with bad hearing cannot hear any unamplified speakers.
- Plan groundbreakings for nice weather, and have contingency plans for rain.
- Be sure to invite all the right people. Politicians thrive on library projects because they are great non-controversial photo ops. Also be sure to invite all current and prior board and staff members, all donors, the contractors and other businesses involved with the project, and the consulting professionals on the project (architects, engineers, and consultants). Invite local school groups, clubs, chambers of commerce, etc.
- Invite the news media. Send out invitations in advance, and call them the day before the event to remind them.
- Groundbreakings offer fewer photo ops than ribbon cuttings because there's no new building to see. Provide an attractive substitute, such as children participating in the ceremony.
- Be sure to prepare the ground in advance. Untouched ground frequently has the consistency of concrete. It's embarrassing to watch a major donor struggle to turn a teaspoonful of soil. Spade the ground up thoroughly and smooth it out the day before the ceremony.
- Give everyone a chance to turn a spadeful of soil. Libraries are egalitarian institutions, and many people want to feel a part of the process.
- Don't count on speakers to cover the right subjects without being coached. Among the things to be sure someone covers are:
- Recognition of all politicians (even those who—very frankly—didn't do anything at all).
- Recognition of donors. You may want to point out certain really major gifts, but be careful not to offend those who gave smaller amounts.
- Recognition of all board members.
- Recognition of the hired folks, including the consultant, architect, contractors, etc.
- General remarks on the important role of the library in your community and on the features of the new building.
- Consider finding an indoor space for post-groundbreaking snacks. This is a good time to display floor plans and renderings away from the weather. (It's also a good time to display in a delicate sort of way brochures asking for funding for specific pieces of equipment.)
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