Library News

Spring in Sherborn is a time for activity, new growth and rapid change in our gardens, fields and forests. Recent activity at our Sherborn Library construction site shows final framing and roof work now underway. Windows in the original building have been replaced and new skylights are going in. Site work continues around the building and the final windows and roofing should be completed by July. “Progress has been much slower than we anticipated and we’ve been disappointed with the extended duration of the construction phase,” Jim Kolb, Chair of the Library Building Committee (LBC), commented on the slow pace and longer than expected construction timeline. “We are significantly past the original 12-month schedule; but the LBC, Library Trustees, Select Board and Town Hall have been working together to address these issues, protect the Town’s interests and successfully complete this project. The latest project schedule provided to the LBC estimates an October completion date,” he added.

The Town recently received the fourth (of five) payments from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) construction grant in the amount of $727,000. That payment along with over $3.6 million in private funds raised for the project has provided cash flow for the project costs up to this point. “This is a large municipal project for a small community – we are grateful to all our donors and to the MBLC for their generous funding,” said Mary Moore, Chair of the Library Trustees. “We recognize the disruption the construction phase creates, and we look forward to opening the new Library later this year,” she added.

Once completed, the Sherborn Library will offer patrons a beautifully renovated and expanded Library which will be fully accessible and code compliant. With 8,000 additional square feet of usable space, the Library will boast a new children’s room, a teen media room, a community/event room with seating for 120, a conference room and tutoring spaces. And, the Library is being built to comply with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED requirements. Exterior improvements at the renovated Library will include an outdoor reading terrace and accessible pathways to guide visitors across the Town Campus.

As construction continues, the Sherborn Library remains in its temporary home across Sanger Street at the Sherborn Community Center. There, the Library staff continues to work hard, keeping the Library running without interruption and offering a wide range of programming for patrons of all ages. Library Director Elizabeth Johnston said, “We all appreciate the true partnership extended to us by the Sherborn Community Center Foundation Board and staff and look forward to getting back into the Library later this fall.”

For more information about the renovation project, to view renderings and project FAQs, and to review minutes from the Library Building Committee and Trustee meetings, please visit the redesigned Library website at sherbornlibrary.org. Project updates can also be found at www.sherbornma.org.