Fitchburg Public Library celebrates beginning of historical renovation, construction project
The Fitchburg Public Library building project, a transformative effort that will create a community resource and destination for the next several decades, commemorated the beginning of the renovation and construction of the library building, located at 610 Main Street, Fitchburg, with a celebratory groundbreaking earlier today.
The ceremony featured remarks from several elected officials and guests, including U.S. Congresswoman Lori Trahan, Massachusetts State Senator John Cronin, Massachusetts State Representative Michael Kushmerek, Fitchburg Mayor Samantha Squailia, and Fitchburg City Council President Anthony Zarella, as well as Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioner George Comeau, Fitchburg Public Library Director Deb Hinkle, and Honorary Co-Chair of the Offering a World of Learning (OWL) Capital Campaign Bob Antonucci. Matt Bruun, chair, Library Trustees, served as master of ceremonies.
“Today is a wonderful day for the City of Fitchburg,” said Hinkle. “As we formally recognize the groundbreaking of this historic project, the future is bright for our library and our community. The new, state-of-the-art library will dramatically improve the space for our children to learn, and our community to engage, create and study. It will truly offer a world of learning for all!”
The project encompasses two major changes, including the renovation of the existing Wallace Library, which was first built in 1967, and the creation of an entirely new children’s space and community learning center. The library will offer a new community room, a variety of meeting and conference spaces, a learning computer lab, a Makerspace, improved access to the library collection, and various seating areas throughout the building to study and engage.
“Our library stands as a cornerstone of education, supporting skill development and sparking a lifelong interest of reading and learning for our children. It serves as a true community hub where everyone is welcome, and we are committed to investing in this essential resource for future generations,” said Mayor Squailia. “While today marks the start of construction, this project is the result of years of collaboration between the city of Fitchburg, the MBLC, our dedicated library staff, and the many supporters of our public library over the years. Together, we have added a new exciting chapter for our community, and I can’t wait to see how this story unfolds.”
Foundational support from the project is provided through a variety of funds, including a $12.5 million total grant award from the MBLC through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program. Additional funding is from a combination of the City of Fitchburg’s American Rescue Plan Act funding, which will provide $12 million, and the City of Fitchburg will provide $12 million as part of the city’s capital budget of which the library is included. These commitments cover more than 90 percent of the total project cost, while the remaining $3.5 million will come from private sources through the OWL Capital Campaign.
In addition to the formal speaking event, a traditional groundbreaking ceremony with elected officials, and business and community leaders, as well as members of the Library Trustees and the OWL Capital Campaign Committee, was held.
To learn more about the building project, please visit; https://www.fitchburgma.gov/1028/Building-Project.