Alec Baldwin Donates $1 Million To East Hampton Library - 27 East

Arts & Living

Arts & Living / 1356055

Alec Baldwin Donates $1 Million To East Hampton Library

icon 3 Photos

At the Sag Harbor home of Lenore and Adam Sender.   DAWN WATSON

At the Sag Harbor home of Lenore and Adam Sender. DAWN WATSON

authorDawn Watson on Nov 11, 2013

Alec Baldwin announced via a telephone conference call on Monday morning, November 11, that he has donated $1 million to the East Hampton Library for the New Children’s addition on behalf of his family. The $1 million donation will be used to underwrite the completion of the Baldwin Family Lecture Room in the new addition. The space will be used for children’s programs, film screenings, poetry readings, historical lectures, and author and book events.

“I am making this gift to help complete the project and to encourage other residents to help support this vital institution in the town,” he said. “I like to have a chance to help finish something.”

Mr. Baldwin’s pledge will provide much of the remaining funds to complete the $6.2 million project. Including this donation, the library has collected $5.7 million, funded from private donations and a $342,262 grant from New York State as part of its Public Library Grant Program.

“You want to put your money on winners and they’re doing a great job,” Mr. Baldwin said of supporting the library. “They’ve fought hard to make this happen and they prevailed. The only obstacle was money. I was happy to help provide what I could.”

The lifelong avid reader and his wife, Hilaria, welcomed baby girl Carmen to the family on August 23. 2012. They live in Amagansett part-time. His daughter, Ireland, whose mother is Kim Basinger, is 18 years old.

East Hampton Library Chair Tom Twomey lauded Mr. Baldwin, who, since 2010, has donated a total of $275,000 to the library. Additionally, the actor serves as an Honorary Co-Chair of the Library’s Children’s Addition Committee and is the Founding Honorary Co-Chair of the Library’s annual Authors Night fundraising event.

“Over the last several years, Alec has been a tremendous supporter of the library,” Mr. Twomey said. “We’re now in the home stretch and close to the finish line of this 10-year marathon.”

The new Children’s Addition, designed by architect Robert A.M. Stern, will add 6,800 square feet to the existing library, allowing for the addition of 10,000 more children’s books, new computers, seating and other age-appropriate improvements. The addition will also allow for the installation of a second elevator, making the entire library handicapped accessible, and will also provide 16 new parking spaces, bringing the total of parking spaces to 42.

“We want to create a space for children to come in and fall in love with the library,” said Library Director Dennis Fabiszak. “We want it to be a child’s favorite place in East Hampton.”

Some of the more fantastical aspects of the Children’s Addition will include a hollowed out windmill, two lighthouses and check-in desk shaped like a boat, according to Mr. Twomey. Also, the addition will have its own separate entrance.

The expected completion date of the Children’s Addition is spring 2014, according to library Vice President and Capital Campaign Chair Sheila Rogers. She added that the remaining half a million in funds to be raised now will go toward “soft structures,” such as furniture, as well as toward building out some of the old structure of the library.

Expressing gratitude to Mr. Baldwin, library President Donald Hunting ended the conference call.

“Mr. Baldwin has been very gracious with his time, talent and his treasure and we are most grateful,” he said.

You May Also Like:

Upcoming Events at Guild Hall Feature Broadway Stars, Culinary Talks and Comedy Favorites

Guild Hall’s summer season continues with a slate of high-profile programming that includes celebrity comedy, ... 14 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer

Camila Cortina Quintet Brings Afro-Cuban Jazz to East Hampton as Part of New Music Series

The Arts Center at Duck Creek will present the Camila Cortina Quintet on Thursday, July ... by Staff Writer

Celebrated Dance Theatre of Harlem Make Its Hamptons Debut July 23 to 25 at Guild Hall

The internationally acclaimed Dance Theatre of Harlem will make its Hamptons debut this summer with ... by Staff Writer

Ikebana Flower Arranging Workshops Offered at the Women's Art Center of the Hamptons

The Women’s Art Center of the Hamptons will host a series of hands-on workshops exploring ... by Staff Writer

Art in the Park Marks 25 Years in Southampton

The 25th annual Art in the Park, a juried outdoor fine art show presented by ... by Staff Writer

Brian Charette Quartet Brings Modern Jazz Vibes to The Church at Hamptons Jazz Fest

Grammy-nominated organist Brian Charette will bring his powerhouse quartet to The Church on Friday, August 8, at 6 p.m., as part of the Hamptons JazzFest. Charette is recognized as one of the most inventive Hammond B-3 players of his generation, seamlessly blending the classic soul jazz traditions of legends like Jimmy Smith and Larry Young with cutting-edge influences from electronica, funk and experimental sounds. His approach reinvigorates the organ jazz tradition with fresh, swinging energy and inventive textures. Joining him, will be tenor saxophonist Joel Frahm and guitarist Sheryl Bailey. Frahm brings a rich tone and fearless improvisation to the ... 13 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer

Jane Ira Bloom Quartet To Perform at The Church for Hamptons JazzFest

Soprano saxophonist Jane Ira Bloom will bring her acclaimed quartet to The Church on Friday, August 29, at 6 p.m. as part of the 2025 Hamptons JazzFest. Known for her lyrical improvisation and pioneering use of spatial sound, Bloom will be joined by bassist Mark Elias, drummer Matt Wilson and pianist Dawn Clement. A pioneer of spatial sound and lyrical improvisation, Bloom’s music is poetic and deeply expressive. Expect an evening of richly textured jazz that’s both intimate and boldly adventurous. Her latest quartet features a lineup of deep musical chemistry and shared curiosity. Mark Elias (bass) brings a subtle, ... by Staff Writer

Reconnecting With Mother Earth: Indigenous Animal Clans, Creation Stories and Songs With Jeffrey Pegram at The Church

The Church will welcome back Jeffrey Pegram, Tsalagi Nation (Cherokee) singer/composer and member of the ... 12 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer

Leigh Bardugo Comes to Sag Harbor Books for Book Signing, Meet and Greet

Growing up, best-selling author Leigh Bardugo always knew she wanted to be a writer, but ... 11 Jul 2025 by Hope Hamilton

Springs Artist Fitzhugh Karol Debuts Outdoor Sculpture Show at Duck Creek

The Arts Center at Duck Creek will present “Fitzhugh Karol: On the Grounds,” a site-specific ... 8 Jul 2025 by Staff Writer