Construction E-mail List

A major public library construction or renovation project is a complex multi-year process. Along the way, timely advice can guide library directors toward effective paths and away from potentially time-consuming byways. Sometimes the best advice doesn't come from the "experts" but rather from peers who have traveled those paths before. In order to facilitate communication between "old hands" and novices, MBLC has an e-mail distribution list for Massachusetts public library directors. The list is for peer to peer communication about topics ranging from the pre-planning to the post-occupancy stages of a construction or renovation project. Some typical issues might include:

Determining whether your facility meets community needs
Working with trustees to jointly determine the necessity for a construction project
Establishing a library building committee
Writing a library building program
Public outreach and building community support
Effectively working with town officials
Running a successful town initiative campaign
Fundraising for a building project
Selecting, hiring and working with an architect and other consultants
Bid process for public construction projects
Moving and temporary quarters
Managing the construction process
Successful groundbreaking and dedication events
Re-establishing staff/trustee/friend/committee relationships
Post-occupancy evaluation

The list is open only to current and former public library directors. Directors can subscribe to the new list by sending a message to: construction-request@mblc.state.ma.us.

The body of the message should consist of one line, the word "subscribe" followed by the director's email address. Personal name may be added in parentheses if it is not clear from the email address.

Example: subscribe jdirector235@aol.com (Jane Director)

(Messages are posted by mailing to: construction@mblc.state.ma.us)

Although the MBLC library building consultants will occasionally participate in the forum, this e-mail list is not a vehicle for MBLC announcements or policy statements. Questions for MBLC staff should not be sent to the list. Directors shoud send questions to Rosemary Waltos at rosemary.waltos@state.ma.us.