Fact Sheet 

The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program
State Construction Funds For Public Libraries

FACT SHEET

First funded in FY1990, this program has awarded grants to public libraries in 239 cities and towns throughout the Commonwealth for construction of new library buildings, addition/renovations, special projects and the preliminary planning activities essential to building projects.

Since the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) was first funded, a total of $282 million has been awarded to Commonwealth libraries. As of November 2007, 294 grants have been awarded. Of these, 85 have been for planning and design and 209 have been for construction, addition/renovation or special projects. As of November 2007, there was a Waiting List of $97 million for 29 libraries with approved public library building projects.

There are two MPLCP grant programs. The first, Project for Planning and Design, assists libraries in the preliminary planning stages. Funds from this grant may be used for development of the library building program, architectural studies including feasibility and schematic design, cost estimates, soil studies and site investigation. There is a $40,000 cap on these grant awards with the state paying 2/3 of eligible costs, which must be matched 1/3 by the town. The second, Project for New Construction, Addition/Renovation or Renovation, is intended to assist libraries in the design development and construction stages of their project.

To be eligible, applicant libraries must be certified by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners as meeting minimum state standards for public library service and must have a long-range plan on file with the Board. Any project funded under the program must meet the 20-year needs of the applicant's municipality. Proposals for new buildings and addition/renovations must be based upon a library building program written prior to retaining an architect and submitted to the Board.

Funding for a construction/renovation project is based on its eligible costs, which can include purchase of land not already owned by the town or its school district, consulting, architectural and engineering fees, actual construction costs and costs of fixed equipment. Landscaping, parking lots and furnishings are not eligible for funding. The state share is awarded on a sliding scale and ranges from 35 percent of a larger project to 60 percent of a project under $1.2 million.

Library building consultants are available to assist libraries with all phases of library planning and construction. These include the crucial first step of developing the library building program statement, coordination of the efforts of trustees, staff and the community, establishment of the library building committee, review of schematic through final design, preparation of grant application and construction administration. Publications to assist in the process are available in print and on the Board's Web site, http://www.mass.gov/mblc. These include the Selected Bibliography of Construction Project Resources, Your Library Construction Project: a Checklist for Success, Directory of Library Projects and their Architects, Classified List of Recent Projects to Visit and A Library Building Program Workbook. The Web site also contains a photo gallery of selected completed projects and additional links to related sites.

There is a Construction E-mail distribution list for Massachusetts public library directors to discuss library construction and renovation issues. The list is for peer-to-peer communication about topics ranging from the preplanning to the post occupancy stages of a construction project. Although the MBLC library building consultants occasionally participate in the forum, this list is primarily for library directors (or former directors) and is not a vehicle for MBLC announcements or policy statements. Questions for MBLC staff should be sent directly to Patience Jackson at patience.jackson@state.ma.us for towns with over 10,000 population and to Anne Larsen at anne.larsen@state.ma.us for towns with under 10,000 population.

Program staff members hold periodic workshops throughout the state to assist applicants and to provide information about library building planning and development to the library community.

11/07