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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
DATE: February 27, 2008

CONTACT: Celeste Bruno
Communications Specialist
1-800-952-7403 x208
celeste.bruno@state.ma.us

Library Construction Waiting List and Map

Since it was first funded in FY1990, the Public Library Construction Program has awarded general construction grants totaling $282 million to cities and towns for 239 addition/renovation or new library projects. These new and renovated libraries are vibrant community centers offering engaging programs for children and adults, making computers available to all, and circulating more books, CDs, DVDs and other materials than ever before.

On January 4, 2008 Governor Deval Patrick filed H4455, a $2.5 billion bond bill to implement the Administration's Capital Investment Plan. Included in the five-year bill is significant authorization to assist communities with local infrastructure needs, including $100 million to fund library construction or renovation for the 31 municipalities on the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioner's Waiting List as of November 3, 2006.

Below is the waiting list and a map that highlights the success of the program and indicates areas in which construction projects are planned.

For more information on the Public Library Construction Program, please visit: http://mblc.state.ma.us/grants/construction/index.php

Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program
Waiting List January 18, 2008

Rank	Municipality	Library	Award
1	Auburn	Auburn Public Library	$4,188,822
2	Shrewsbury	Shrewsbury Free Public Library	$3,964,293
3	Falmouth	Falmouth Public Library	$3,071,749
4	Westhampton	Westhampton Memorial Library	$1,065,074
5	Millis	Millis Public Library	$2,789,569
6	Norwell	Norwell Public Library	$3,098,877
7	Belchertown	Clapp Memorial Library	$3,347,565
8	Belmont	Belmont Memorial Library	$5,323,564
9	Holyoke	Holyoke Public Library	$4,367,594
10	Buckland	Buckland Public Library	$529,598
11	Upton	Upton Town Library	$2,755,392
12	Boxford	Boxford Town Library	$2,784,242
13	Holbrook	Holbrook Public Library	$1,965,616
14	Bourne	Jonathan Bourne Public Library	$2,852,702
15	Gloucester	Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library	$4,549,808
16	Edgartown	Edgartown Free Public Library	$4,593,557
17	Westwood	Westwood Public Library	$3,698,929
18	Woburn	Woburn Public Library	$4,775,727
19	Dartmouth**	Dartmouth Public Libraries (Branch)	$2,732,307
20	Everett**	Shute Memorial Library (Branch)	$1,578,115
21	Dighton	Dighton Public Library	$2,341,560
22	Hull	Hull Public Library	$2,809,680
23	Ware	Young Men's Library Association	$2,868,458
24	Walpole	Walpole Public Library	$3,896,184
25	Winchendon	Beals Memorial Library	$3,310,544
26	North Attleborough	Richards Memorial Library	$4,866,363
27	Granby	Granby Free Public Library	$988,483
28	Foxborough	Boyden Library	$3,461,606
29	Boston--Mattapan**	Boston Public Library-Mattapan (Branch)	$5,222,907
Inflation factor of 15% for partial award to Dudley			$87,813
Inflation factor of 15%% for award to Mashpee			$382,766
Total			$94,269,464

Numbers 1-20 placed on Waiting List by Board of Library Commissioners' vote, July 7, 2005; Numbers 21-29 by a Board vote on April 6, 2006.

**Branch libraries have lower priority within rounds.

About MBLC

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.

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