Residents Celebrate New Scituate Library
August 11, 2017
Matthew Perry
Outreach Coordinator
1-800-952-7403 x208
matthew.s.perry@state.ma.us
On July 18, 2017, residents and officials in Scituate gathered to celebrate the ribbon cutting of their new library. The expansion and renovation was funded in part by a $4,985,480 Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).
The project expanded on the original building and added an additional 7,000 square feet. The new building includes a meeting room, computers, and study spaces. The building was designed by the Oudens Ello architecture firm. When the library attains LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification from the U.S. Green Building Council, it will receive a Green Library Incentive of $125,523 - $219,665 (depending on the LEED level achieved) from the MBLC.
“This project would never have been possible without patron support” said Library Director Jessi Finnie. “I am proud to say that Scituate loves their library.”
In addition to funding from the town and MBLC, the Scituate Library Foundation raised over $1.4 million to donate to the construction project. Les Ball, who helped found the foundation in 200 and currently serves as its chair, reported that 900 families in Scituate helped to donate money.
MBLC Chair Mary Ann Cluggish was on hand to congratulate the town on their new library. “New libraries aren’t just transactional, they’re transformational. They become a town’s gathering place and expand your world.”
Representative James Cantwell and Senator Patrick O’Connor also attended and presented the library with citations with congratulations from both the State House of Representatives and State Senate.
Photos from the event can be found on the MBLC Flickr page.
Funding for the MPLCP is authorized by the governor and state legislature. The MPLCP was first funded by a state bond authorization in 1987. Since then, it has helped hundreds of communities build, renovate and/or expand their public libraries. MPLCP projects are currently underway in Hopkinton, Leicester, Sherborn, Stoughton, Webster, and Woburn. Communities with recently completed projects include Edgartown, Framingham, Reading, and Shrewsbury.
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.