Medford Breaks Ground on New Library Project
November 13, 2019
Matthew Perry
Outreach Coordinator
1-800-952-7403 x240
matthew.s.perry@state.ma.us
On Tuesday, October 29, 2019, residents and officials joined together for the groundbreaking of the Medford Public Library. The $34 million project is funded in part by a $12.5 million grant from the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Project (MPLCP).
Mayor Stephanie Burke presided over the event, and thanked the community for their hard work to bring the project to fruition. “Thank you for being bold and making this dream a reality” she said, adding “This library will be home to the young, the old, and everyone in between.”
The new library will replace the current building which was built in 1959 and will be demolished to accommodate the project. The space will increase to 45,000 sq. ft. across two levels and will help to accommodate a growing population in the city. The first floor will contain adult collections and seating, technology areas, and several group study rooms. All spaces will be accessible, and the building is planned to be net-zero, meaning it will produce more energy than it consumes, and carbon neutral, meaning no fossil fuels will be used and no carbon emissions will be produced.
Commissioner Mary Ann Cluggish spoke on behalf of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). She sent her congratulations and stressed the importance of libraries to communities. “Whether you want to advance your career, learn something new, or familiarize yourself with new technology, the library is the place to do it.” She added “It’s not easy to find the money to build a new library. This is a big deal, and Medford has done it right.”
Photos from the event can be seen on the MBLC’s Flickr page.
The MPLCP has benefitted more than 250 towns and cities in Massachusetts since its inception in 1987. Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program projects are currently underway in Boston, Dartmouth, Erving, Grafton, Greenfield, Hadley, Littleton, Marlborough, Monterey, Norwell, Sherborn, Springfield, and Weymouth.
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.