Renovation Project
The Library opened in the new, renovated space on June 11, 2019.
May, 2019
We are moving! The Library will be closed 5/11 - 6/11 to move out books, museum items and everything else back to the renovated library. The Grand Opening Celebration has been scheduled for Sunday, June 23rd from 2-4 p.m. Please join us.
February 15, 2019
Construction is mostly complete. Furniture and shelves should arrive over the next 8 weeks. We will announce an opening day, and a Grand Opening Celebration date, as soon as we have firm dates from our vendors and the construction crew.
August 31, 2018
Construction is 72% complete. The water and sewer connections are in, the elevator is installed, and work continues inside the building. Most of the mechanicals are in place, most of the drywall is finished, and most of the plaster is patched and repaired. Painting, doors and hardware are next. Storm windows in the original building are installed, most windows in the addition are complete. Granite and exterior bricks are also near completion. Construction is currently on track to finish before the end of the year, and the project remains under budget.
April 10, 2018
Exterior is mostly complete, minus the finished facade. Work continues on the interior, with framing, HVAC, plumbing, electrical, insulation, fire suppression and other infrastructure well underway. The project is currently 40% complete, and remains on target for a Fall 2018 opening.
January 18, 2018
The concrete blocks are complete. The roof beams are up and joists and decking are being added. The concrete floors have been poured on the ground and first floors of the addition. Work is 27% complete, on budget and on schedule. Estimated completion schedule is still September-December 2018.
October 25, 2017
The rear brick wall has been removed, and footings for the addition have been poured. The elevator pit has been excavated, and the perimeter retaining wall is nearing completion. Seismic connections are all installed, roof work has begun, and most interior demolition is complete. Framing for the addition should begin soon, with the goal of having a weather-tight exterior complete to allow interior work over the winter. The completion date is still late 2018.
September 1, 2017
The official groundbreaking ceremony was held on July 20th. Construction is well underway. The back lot has been cleared, and the retaining walls surrounding the parking lot are under construction. All asbestos has been removed from the building, seismic connections have been added to each floor of the existing building. Temporary shoring for the removal of the rear wall is in place. Painting on the exterior windows should begin soon. Water, gas and electric utility upgrades are in the works. Footings for the foundation of the addition will go in soon.
July 6, 2017
Much has happened in six months. Designs finalized and put out to bid. General Contract awarded to DA Sullivan or Northampton, all sub-contractors on board. Work on the building began slowly last month. Equipment is on site, protective covers have been placed over some of the floors and scaffolding erected inside. The electrical service has been moved to a temporary location in the front, in preparation for the rear wall coming down. The handicapped ramp is gone. More photos are available on our facebook page. A groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for 7/20/17.
December 21, 2016 update
Design development is finalized, construction documents are being drawn. The Library will be moving to 1 Paxton Street (at the corner Rt. 56 and Old Main Street) next month. The Library will be closed 1/9/17 - 1/31/17 while the books and equipment are being moved. The next Library Building Committee meeting will be Wednesdsay, January 11 at 6:00 p.m., location TBD.
August 24, 2016 update
Upcoming Building Committee meetings are on Wednesdays, 8/24, 9/14, 9/28 and 10/12, 6:00 p.m. at the library. They are open to the public, so if you'd like to be part of the planning process, feel free to join us. Discussions range from floor plans to furnishings, materials, budgets and timelines. If you can not attend a meeting, suggestions are welcome via phone, email or facebook. Share your thoughts with library staff (or anyone on the building committee), and we will pass your suggestions along.
Our current plan, subject to change, is to move to temporary quarters at 1 Paxton Street in March of 2017. Construction could begin in April, and continue for 18-24 months. A copy of the most current plans will be available for review at the Library's Harvest Fair booth on 9/17. Stop by to see the exciting changes!
May 24, 2016 update
Upcoming Building Committee meetings are on Wednesdays, 5/25, 6/8, 6/22 (rescheduled to 6/29), 7/13, and 7/27, 6:00 p.m. at the Library. They are open to the public, so if you'd like to be part of the planning process, feel free to join us. Discussions range from floor plans to furnishings, materials, budgets and timelines. If you can not attend a meeting, suggestions are welcome via phone, email or facebook. Share your thoughts with library staff (or anyone on the building committee), and we will pass your suggestions along.
March 24, 2016 update
The Town has signed contracts with an architect, Charlie Van Voorhis of Durland Van Voorhis Architects, and an OPM, Mary Bulso of Lamoureux Pagano, and we have received the first installment of our MBLC Construction Grant. Progress! We can now move forward with the final design process, secure temporary space, and keep the project moving forward.
January 21, 2016 update
The Library Building Committee has formed. Members are:
Mark Armington (at large),
Tom Buckley (Selectmen),
Donald Cherry (Library Trustee),
Ernestine Cherry (Library Trustee),
Mary Gabrila (Finance Advisory Committee),
Suzanne Hall (Library Director, ex-officio),
Kevin Mizikar (Town Administrator, ex-officio)
Mary Moore (at large),
Kathleen Wilson (Historical Commission)
11 applications for the OPM were received. Committee members will review the applications and select firms to interview.
Next Building Committee Meeting: Thursday, Jan. 28th, 6:00 p.m. in the Selectmen's Conference Room
December 3, 2015 update
Next steps are:
Formation of a Building Committee. If you would like to be a part of the Building Committee, contact the Selectmen's Office. Committment is one or two evenings per month, possibly more on occasion.
In January, the Building Committee will choose an Owner's Project Manager (OPM). This person will supervise the entire project, including hiring contractors, filing monthly reports, and coordinating bills.
After the OPM is on board, the Architect will produce final drawings, and the project will be sent out to bid.
What is the timeline? At the very earliest, construction would begin some time between August and November of 2016. If you know of a location in Leicester that could serve as the Library's temporary quarters for 16-20 months, contact Suzanne Hall at 508-892-7020, or send email.
November 13, 2015 update
The Library staff, Trustees, Friends and patrons are delighted with the results of the recent election. We are grateful for the support of the community, and would like to thank everyone who made this long process possible. The next steps will determine the project schedule, so I cannot give you a starting date just yet. We have to sign a contract with MBLC (Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners) to accept the $4.2 million Construction Grant, hire an OPM, finalize drawings with the architect, and put the project out to bid. It will take a few weeks for all of these things to happen.
Fundraising will continue, and all funds raised before the completion of the project will be used to reduce the final amount borrowed by the town. If you were considering buying a brick, now is the time. Click here to download the order form, or pick one up at the library. For a $200 donation, you can include your name, family name, memorial, or short message as a permanent part of the library addition.
-- Suzanne Hall
October 2015 update
***IMPORTANT DATES ***
A vote will be taken at the Town Meeting on
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 20th at 7:00
A ballot vote is scheduled for residents on
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 10th - NOON TO 8:00
Deadline to register to vote is Tuesday, October 13th
The time has come! The $8.9 million project to renovate and expand the Leicester Public Library began in 2004. The Library applied for a $4.2 million State Construction Grant, received an anonymous $2 million donation, and raised additional funds through fundraisers, pledges, donations and other grants. The remaining $1.9 million will be requested as a debt exclusion on the fall STM warrant. An informational meeting about the entire warrant, including the scope of the Library renovation, will be held Thursday, October 15, 6:30 p.m. in the Selectmen's Conference Room at the Town Hall. If you have questions about the project, please attend the meeting, or contact the library.
January 2015 update
Leicester Public Library is officially on the State Library Construction Grant list. We are currently behind 2 other libraries on the list, and we expect our funding with the next State budget. While we don't know for sure when our turn will come, we do know that we need to raise our portion of the total construction costs before work can begin. We are 80% of the way there, having secured over $7 million dollars. We need to raise just under $1 million. The original building was built without tax dollars - entirely through private donations, including the land, the architectural drawings, and construction costs. Most of the original collection was donated, as well. We'd like to continue that tradition, to Build Upon the Legacy, and complete the renovation and expansion without an increase in tax dollars BUT WE CAN'T DO IT WITHOUT YOUR HELP.
Capital Campaign
Library Trustees have formed a Capital Campaign Committee to raise our portion of the renovation/expansion cost. If you are interested being part of the process, or would like to make a donation, please send email to Suzanne Hall, Library Director or call (508)892-7020.
For more information
Donations to the Trustees’ fundraising effort for the library expansion and renovation can be sent to the library at 1136 Main St., Leicester, MA 01524. Make checks out to the Leicester Public Library Renovation Fund (can be done in memory or in honor of someone, if donors choose). There are naming rights available for furnishing and parts of the building, and commemorative, engraved bricks at the new entrance are available for pledges of at least $200.
Click Donate to contribute to the Leicester Public Library Renovation Fund via PayPal
Who uses libraries anymore? You do! In the last 10 years
- Statewide, library usage has gone up 50%
- Circulation at the Leicester Public Library has gone up 40%
- Inter-library loans at Leicester Public Library have gone up 522%
- The number of borrowers at Leicester Public Library has gone up 35%. 54% of town residents have an active library card.
- Internet sessions at Leicester Public Library have increased over 200%
NEW VIDEO! The Leicester Public Library Capital Campaign Committee has UPDATED our a video highlighting the history and renovation/expansion plans for the library. If you didn't catch it on LCAC, click here to watch it on YouTube. Interior and exterior drawings of the proposed new building and site plans are available at the library.
The library building and staff do a great job of providing materials and services to patrons. Why is a renovation and expansion necessary?
Click here for Top 10 Reasons to Renovate/Expand Leicester Public Library
(or click on your topic of interest below)