NEWS RELEASE

On June 5, 2014, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) voted to award provisional planning and design grants totaling $959,425 to twenty communities across the Commonwealth. The grants are part of the MBLC's state-funded Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP).

"We're grateful to the governor and the legislature for their recognition that libraries are a vital part of our communities," MBLC Chair Frank Murphy said.

The MPLCP helps libraries across the state meet the growing demand for library services with expanded and improved library facilities. "Libraries are busy, but it's no longer just about books," Murphy said. "Libraries are where people turn for help with technology, for support starting a business, or for help looking for a job. The role of the library as a true community center continues to evolve and these grants help communities take the first step toward projects that benefit every resident."

Twenty-eight library applications went through a rigorous grant review process. The libraries were selected based on many factors including community need, an understanding of future trends in library services, integration with the library's long-range plan, support from local officials, and a plan for community input.

Planning and design grants may be used for preparation of a library building program, architectural feasibility studies, engineering analysis of an existing building or alternative sites, schematic design, cost analysis of options, site investigation, and project management services. The grants are capped at $50,000, or two-thirds of the eligible project costs, and require local match funding of up to $25,000. Libraries must secure this local match by January 31, 2015 to accept their grant funding. These grants, as well the support provided by MBLC library building specialists, benefit libraries that plan to apply for construction grants from the MPLCP in the future.

This is the fifth planning and design grant round offered by the MBLC since 1999. To date, the MBLC has awarded 81 planning and design grants. Through the MPLCP, more than 200 communities have completed library construction projects.

Funding for this grant round is made possible through a 2008 state bond authorization by the Patrick-Murray administration and the legislature. Library construction projects in Athol, Buckland, Dudley, Boston (the East Boston and Mattapan branches of the Boston Public Library), Falmouth, Foxborough, Granby, Holyoke, Mashpee, Millis, Walpole, Westhampton, West Tisbury, and Westwood were recently completed with MPLCP grants from the 2008 authorization, in conjunction with local match funding.

MPLCP projects are currently underway in Eastham, Edgartown, Everett (the Shute Memorial Branch of the Everett Public Library), Framingham (the McAuliffe Branch of the Framingham Public Library), Reading, Salisbury, Scituate, Shrewsbury, South Hadley, and West Springfield. For more information, please visit the MBLC's website.

Planning & Design Award Recommendations

* These libraries have notified the MBLC that they will be unable to accept their planning and design grants.
§ Announced at the September 4, 2014 board meeting.
◊ Announced at the July 10, 2014 board meeting.
† Announced at the April 2, 2015 board meeting.