NEWS RELEASE

Medford native, former mayor of New York City and a Democratic candidate for president in the 2020 campaign Michael Bloomberg was joined by family, friends, and local, state, and national figures to celebrate the new Charlotte and William Bloomberg Medford Public Library named in honor of his parents who lived in Medford for 65 years. “This is so the next generations of Medford residents can live out their dreams,” he said. He called libraries “symbols of freedom” and mentioned that libraries are under attack by those who mount challenges based on history, race, gender, and identity. He added, “This diminishes freedom and diminishes our country.” Bloomberg donated $3 million to the library project which built a new state-of-the-art facility on High Street, replacing the former library which opened in 1959.

Senator Ed Markey called libraries the best tools to remove disparities and promote equity and inclusion. Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) Chair Mary Ann Cluggish said, “libraries are game changers” and congratulated the Medford community on overcoming obstacles like the pandemic, to make the library a reality. The Medford project received a multimillion-dollar grant from the MBLC’s Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP).

The building, constructed to be a Net Zero structure, is the first library to achieve that status in Massachusetts and is seeking LEED Silver (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) or higher status.

The project demolished the 1959 facility and doubled usable square footage on two floors while ensuring full ADA compliance. A makerspace and tech lab, a local history room, café, and gallery are special features of the library. With ample community spaces: multiple meeting rooms, a large performance room, and private study spaces, the new library gives the community a variety of options for learning and gathering.  The first floor is home to adult collections and seating, technology areas, and several group study rooms. A terrace off the first floor provides outdoor learning and meeting space that became so important during the pandemic. The second level gives children and teens each their own age-appropriate spaces.

The MPLCP was first funded by a state bond authorization in 1987. Since then, it has helped more than 250 communities plan, build, renovate and expand their public libraries. MPLCP projects are currently underway in the following communities: Amherst, Greenfield, Marlborough, Melrose, Sharon, and Sherborn. Projects in Erving, Grafton, Hadley, Littleton, Medford, Norwell, and Roxbury were recently completed. Learn more about the program on the MBLC website and the Building Literacy podcast.