Grafton Breaks Ground on Library Project
November 20, 2019
Matthew Perry
Outreach Coordinator
1-800-952-7403 x240
matthew.s.perry@state.ma.us
On November 6, 2019, the town of Grafton broke ground on the addition and renovation of their public library. The $16.6 million project is funded in part by a $7.4 million grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) grant.
Representative David Muradian and Senator Michael Moore attended to send their congratulations to the town. “I can’t say how proud I am of the community for investing in a project like this” said Representative Muradian. He called the project a “public-public partnership” with the state and town working together to secure funding and make it a reality. Senator Moore added “Libraries are the cornerstone for community programs and pillars of education.”
The current Grafton Public Library building was built in 1927 and has been unable to meet the needs of the town’s growing population. The historic building will be preserved and renovated and a new 22,597 sq. ft. addition will be added to the back. The new addition will feature a flexible meeting room, study rooms and tutoring spaces, a teen area, a youth services program room, a climate-controlled historical collections space, and a rooftop patio and gardens for outdoor reading and reflection. Director Beth Galloway says the project will turn the library from “an errand into a destination.”
MBLC Chair Roland Ochsenbein congratulated Grafton on behalf of the Board and Governor Charlie Baker. “It takes a lot of people to build a library today” he said, adding “this groundbreaking marks a major milestone in the process.” Chair Ochsenbein told those in attendance that he looks forward to seeing them again at the grand opening celebration.
Photos from the event can be seen on the MBLC 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, Greenfield, Hadley, Littleton, Marlborough, Medford, Norwell, Sharon, 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.