Packed House at Dedication for New Swansea Free Public Library
November 13, 2025
Celeste Bruno
Communications Director
1-800-952-7403 x208
Celeste.Bruno@mass.gov
State and local officials joined residents, library trustees, and staff on Saturday, November 8, 2025, to celebrate the grand opening of the new Swansea Free Public Library. The ribbon-cutting ceremony brought together hundreds of people from the community and marked the completion of the long-anticipated project which was supported in part by a $7.7 million grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners’ (MBLC) Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP).
“I know that Elizabeth Stevens would be happy to see her original gift to Swansea has been updated to provide the kinds of services that you need now in the 21st century,” said Debby Conrad, MBLC Commissioner. “This successful construction project that we are celebrating today shows that the community of Swansea acknowledges the value a public library brings to the community.”
The project renovated the historic 1900 building and expanded the library to a 21,725-square-foot facility that offers much-needed space for expanded collections, dedicated spaces for children and teens, flexible meeting and study rooms, a makerspace, and improved technology throughout. Designed with sustainability and accessibility in mind, the building provides a welcoming environment for all residents.
Senator Michael Rodrigues, Representative Steven Howitt and Representative Justin Thurber stepped up to the podium together to present an official citation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives and State Senate congratulating the Swansea Free Public Library on its newly renovated and expanded building. “This is the result of ten years of hard work,” said Senator Rodrigues. “Swansea should be very proud.”
Swansea Library Director Jocelyn Tavares expressed gratitude to the community for its support throughout the planning and construction process. “Elizabeth Stevens bestowed this institution to enrich the community of Swansea, possibly never imagining all of this today. We are proud to extend her legacy,” she said.
The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program has benefitted 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: Amherst, Deerfield, Fitchburg, Shutesbury and Westford. Gloucester's Sawyer Free Library recently celebrated their ribbon cutting, and fifteen more communities are in 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.
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.