NEWS RELEASE

Amherst residents, state representatives and local officials recently gathered to celebrate the groundbreaking of the Jones Library. The Jones Library renovation and expansion project is partially funded by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) with a base grant of over $13.8 million from its Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP). 

MBLC Vice Chair Commissioner Tim Cherubini congratulated Amherst, “Today is an opportunity to turn the corner on challenges, travails, questions and doubts. Today, your dream begins to take form. Planning and preparation, patience and diligence are still required but you're advancing to an ever more exciting phase of the bold task you are undertaking. What you are about to build is more than bricks and mortar, books, shelves—you're creating a gathering space for ideas and a community center worthy of any great town.”

As part of the renovation, the historic 1928 library building will be upgraded to address critical safety and accessibility concerns. The project will also increase Jones Library’s square footage from 47,463 square feet to a projected 62,752 square feet. The new space will enhance the library’s role as a community and educational center by improving and expanding the children’s room and creating dedicated spaces for teens and English language learning. The new building will also feature a humanities center that will provide fully climate-controlled archives and a new exhibit space for special collections.

Mr. Cherubini applauded Amherst’s commitment to inclusiveness, “We must continue to stand for dialogue, the freedom of ideas and our ideals. Your commitment to your library is an indication that Amherst offers hope and your building will embody the capacity of a community to achieve these ideals.”

The Amherst project is also designed to be energy-efficient and carbon neutral by eliminating fossil fuel use, making it NetZero-Ready. By purchasing off-site renewable energy, the new Jones Library will achieve Net-Zero status.

The MPLCP has benefited more than 250 towns and cities since its inception in 1987. Funding to support the MPLCP was included in the Mass Leads Act. MPLCP projects are underway in the following communities: Deerfield, Fitchburg, Gloucester, Shutesbury, Swansea, and Westford. Sharon Public Library recently celebrated their ribbon cutting, and fifteen more communities are beginning the planning and design phase as part of the 2023-2024 grant round. Learn more about the program on the MBLC website, the Building Literacy podcast, and the MPLCP Municipal Impact website.