News Release
June 7, 2007
Director, Communications & Public Information
1-800-952-7403, x208
David.L.Gray@state.ma.us
Planning & Design Grants Awarded to 19 Massachusetts Libraries
BOSTON: The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners is pleased to announce that 19 municipalities were awarded Planning and Design Grants from the 2006-2007 Grant Round totaling $760,000 for public libraries across the Commonwealth.
A Project for Planning and Design does not involve actual construction, but funds the planning of a public library project, including the development of a Building Program, preliminary architectural plans and cost analyses of options and alternatives, site investigation, and preparation of schematic drawings for a future project.
The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program, administered by the Board of Library Commissioners and first funded by the Legislature in 1989, has already awarded 66 Planning and Design Grants to communities across the Commonwealth. To be eligible for one of these grants, the municipality must have a population under 10,000 or if over 10,000 have an equalized valuation (EQV) less than the statewide average of $127,176 for this grant round.
Dr. Em Claire Knowles, Chair of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, said, "We are delighted to be able to make these grants today. Each project represents a dramatic step in helping these towns move forward toward planning and designing a library building that will be able to provide its community with modern up-to-date library services."
| Municipality | Library | Award |
|---|---|---|
|
Berkley |
Berkley Public Library |
$40,000 |
|
Brimfield |
Brimfield Public Library |
$40,000 |
|
Fitchburg |
Fitchburg Public Library |
$40,000 |
|
Framingham |
Framingham Public Library |
$40,000 |
|
Hanson |
Hanson Public Library |
$40,000 |
|
Hatfield |
Hatfield Public Library |
$40,000 |
|
Hopedale |
Bancroft Memorial Library |
$40,000 |
|
Huntington |
Huntington Public Library |
$40,000 |
|
New Bedford |
New Bedford Free Public Library, Casa da Saudade |
$40,000 |
|
Orange |
Wheeler Memorial Library |
$40,000 |
|
Petersham |
Petersham Memorial Library |
$40,000 |
|
Salisbury |
Salisbury Public Library |
$40,000 |
|
Sherborn |
Sherborn Library |
$40,000 |
|
Shutesbury |
M. N. Spear Memorial Library |
$40,000 |
|
Somerville |
Somerville Public Library |
$40,000 |
|
South Hadley |
South Hadley Public Library |
$40,000 |
|
Stoughton |
Stoughton Public Library |
$40,000 |
|
West Springfield |
West Springfield Public Library |
$40,000 |
|
Williamstown |
David & Joyce Milne Public Library |
$40,000 |
The Board of Library Commissioners (mass.gov/mblc) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. The Board advises municipalities and library trustees on the operation and maintenance of public libraries, including construction and renovation. It administers state and federal grant programs for libraries and promotes cooperation among all types of libraries through regional library systems and automated resource sharing. It also works to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth, regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background, have access to essential new electronic information technologies and significant electronic databases.