Residents Celebrate the Opening of the New Hopkinton Library
November 08, 2017
Matthew Perry
Outreach Coordinator
1-800-952-7403 x208
matthew.s.perry@state.ma.us
On Friday, October 27, residents gathered to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated Hopkinton Public Library. The expansion and renovation was funded in part by a $4,533,000 Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).
The project added 7,000 square feet and brought together the two separate buildings that made up the library; the original library building from 1895, and the former Episcopal Church which was added in 1967. 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.
MBLC Commissioner Mary Ann Cluggish said, “We congratulate the many people who worked so hard for so many years on this beautiful building.” She added that the town’s “opportunities to have fun while learning have just multiplied.”
The new building includes a large and sun-filled children’s room on the second floor, a meeting space in the old Episcopal Church with the restoration of the former church’s stained glass windows, and new computers to meet the demands of the community. In addition, the new building is ADA compliant and completely accessible.
Library Director Heather Backman thanked everyone who was involved on the project, including former director Rownak Hussain who was present at the event. Backman said “This library will become the heart of the community.Welcome to your new library. Let’s make it a great one.”
State Senator Karen Spilka offered congratulations and a citation on behalf of the Massachusetts State Senate. In her remarks, she noted that “Libraries have taken on a new meaning. They are a focal point of what a town should be.” State Representative Carolyn Dykema was unable to attend the event, but sent her congratulations and a citation on behalf of the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
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 Leicester, Sherborn, Stoughton, Webster, and Woburn. Communities with recently completed projects include Framingham, Reading, Shrewsbury, and Scituate.
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.