Library Construction begins in Littleton
July 16, 2020
Celeste Bruno
Communications Director
1-800-952-7403 x208
celeste.bruno@state.ma.us
On July, 9 2020 state and local leaders gathered with residents to celebrate the groundbreaking of the new Reuben Hoar Library in Littleton. “The community of Littleton is to be congratulated. This library is a legacy for generations to come,” said Chair of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) Roland Ochsenbein. A Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program grant totaling $5,844,747 from the MBLC helped make this $13 million project possible.
Since 1952, the library has shared the former Shattuck Street School with town offices. The library’s space in the building occupied three floors, making it difficult to access for people with disabilities and parents and caregivers with strollers and carriages. With just over 15,000 square feet, areas for children and teen services are limited in the current facility.
The new library will feature a much larger children’s area, larger community meeting spaces, and more private study spaces. It will be more flexible and energy efficient, a major concern among many in the Littleton community. It will also be fully ADA compliant to better serve those in the community with disabilities.
Library Director Sam Alvarez said, “The new library will be the spirit of Littleton and will be able to serve all residents.” The project may also qualify for additional funding from the MBLC in the form of a Green Library Incentive following completion of construction, if official LEED certification from the US Green Building Council is attained. The new library is scheduled to open in late 2021. .
Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) grants provide crucial funding that enables public libraries to meet the growing and rapidly changing demand for services. Statewide, attendance at public library programs has increased 49% since 2006 and every 5.5 seconds a Massachusetts resident accesses the Internet through a public library.
The MPLCP has benefitted more than 250 towns and cities in Massachusetts since its inception in 1987. MPLCP projects are currently underway in Boston, Dartmouth, Erving, Grafton, Greenfield, Hadley, Littleton, Marlborough, Medford, Norwell, Sharon, Sherborn, Springfield, and Weymouth. Learn more about the program on the MBLC website and the Building Literacy podcast.
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.