WESTFORD — J.V. Fletcher Library is now settled into its temporary location—a few suites in 515 Groton Road, an office building on the edge of Westford along Route 40, which will be the library’s home for the next 18 to 20 months while a $32.5 million renovation and expansion project is completed on its building in the town common.
The books were not left behind. The entire library collection, with a few exceptions, moved to the new location, said Kristina Leedberg, assistant library director (pictured above).
‘Check out’ the Temporary Library
When people visit the temporary library, they will not see the rows and rows of books that they expect. That’s due to space limitations, explained Leedberg, adding that library staff have set up browsing areas of popular books for children, teens and adults. When patrons request a book or item that is not on display, library runners will go to the basement where the collection is being stored.
Other changes include access to free, public meeting room space, which is no longer available at the temporary location. The library has published information on its website for available public meetings spaces around town.
Many programs, including the popular Mother Goose story times and children and teen summer activities will be held at other town sites. The kids’ and young adults’ summer reading programs, which typically attract about 1,000 participants will have online raffles this year, but not require kids to come to the library to collect prizes.
“I think people are surprised that we have as much space as we have,” Leedberg said. Library visitors also have noted the sunlight streaming into the rooms, she said.
In the temporary location, the young children’s room features colorful rugs, the popular train table and shelves with sea creature carvings where wooden jellyfish float amicably.
There is a young adult area for teens with bean bags and popular books for browsing. To accommodate studying and tutoring, library staff set aside space for quiet study, which was a challenge at the Main Street location, Leedberg said.
The new construction on Main Street will definitely accommodate more quiet study areas as well as places for laughter and loud joy, she said. Young children and everyone are encouraged to have conversations and laugh when in the library, Leedberg said.
“We hate the stereotype of the ‘Shhhhh!’ the mean librarian who is charging a fine for overdue books,” she said. “We pride ourselves on our customer service, to be caring and welcoming.”
Many Years in the Making
Ellen Rainville, director of the J.V. Fletcher Library, has been planning for the renovation of the library since before 2012. The library building on Main Street has not been renovated in nearly 40 years.
The expansion will double total library space by 50%, increasing it to 35,159 square feet. Children’s space will double, young adult space will triple, public meeting space and silent and tutoring spaces will increase and a “reading patio” will be created outside the children’s space, Rainville said.
Costs of Renovating and Expanding
The $32.5 million expansion will be paid for by a combination of state and local taxpayer money. Rainville broke down the funding: $8.6 million in grants from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners; $1.3 million from the fundraising efforts of the J.V. Fletcher Library Foundation; and $22.5 million from the Town of Westford through a debt exclusion approved by voters that will raise taxes until the project is paid off. There is also the potential of funding to preserve historic elements of the original building.
Libraries are not stuck in time, they need to evolve, Rainville said. Paper books remain popular checkout items, but now 30% of the library’s monthly circulation is digital and downloadable media.
As Westford’s population moves to crest 25,000 people, the J.V. Fletcher library will become eligible for more state funding, Rainville said, adding that could lead to more library hours and additional services.
“The library serves all age groups,” Leedberg said. “That makes us unique. People rely on us for educational and social purposes. I really think we are the heart of the community. We (the library staff) feel so appreciated and loved by the community.”
