NEWS RELEASE

Fitchburg residents, state representatives, and local officials gathered on October 8 to celebrate the groundbreaking of Fitchburg Public Library’s construction project.  The project includes the renovation of the Wallace Building and the creation of an entirely new youth library wing. The new library will grow from 45,000 square feet to approximately 55,429 square feet to meet the needs of Fitchburg’s vibrant, diverse community and projected population growth.

“What you are about to build here today is more than bricks and mortar, books and shelves. You are creating a gathering space for ideas and a community center worthy of any great city in this Commonwealth,” said MBLC Commissioner George Comeau at Tuesday’s ceremony.

The project is partially funded with a $12.5 million grant through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).  The grant will improve library spaces for programs, collections, and seating areas with an entirely new children’s room, teen space, and learning lab. Library entrances will also be expanded, and the new building will include a new community room, multipurpose meeting spaces, computer lab, and makerspace. 

The new building will replace some of the brick façade with high-performance glass walls capable of retaining heat and natural light, reducing electricity usage.  The project may also qualify for a Green Library Incentive Grant following completion of construction, if official LEED certification from the US Green Building Council is attained.  The Green Library Incentive encourages recipients of MPLCP grants to incorporate green or sustainable building design by awarding an additional 2% to 3.5% of the MPLCP construction grant, depending on the level of LEED certification the project receives.

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/or expand their public libraries. MPLCP projects are underway in the following communities:  Amherst, Deerfield, Fitchburg, Gloucester, Melrose, Sharon, Shutesbury, Swansea, and Westford.  Projects in Greenfield,  Marlborough, and Sherborn were recently completed. Learn more about the MPLCP on the MBLC website and the Building Literacy podcast.