On November 5, 2021, the new Reuben Hoar Library in Littleton MA opened its doors to the public and celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony. The $14.5 million project was supported by a $5.8 million grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP).
“A library is a living force for education and culture,” said Commissioner Karen Traub. “On behalf of the Board of Library Commissioners, I congratulate Littleton on this achievement.”
The old Reuben Hoar Library was part of a shared town complex housed in a former school building. The brand-new standalone building sits behind the former site. It includes a larger children’s room and dedicated young adult space, quiet study rooms, community meeting space, a local history room, and space for reading that overlooks the wooded area behind the library. The new building is also fully accessible, and expands the library’s footprint from 16,000 sq. ft. to 23,000 sq. ft.
In addition to the MPLCP grant and funding from the town, the Friends of the Library raised $1 million from 498 local businesses and residents who donated. Littleton Town Administrator Anthony Ansaldi called the library, “A beautiful facility that residents of Littleton will enjoy for generations to come.”
The MPLCP was first funded by a state bond authorization in 1987. Since then, it has helped more than 250 communities plan, build, renovate and/or expand their public libraries. MPLCP projects are currently underway in the following communities: Grafton, Marlborough, Medford, Sharon, and Sherborn. Projects in Dartmouth, Erving, Hadley, Norwell, Roxbury, and Weymouth were recently completed.
You can find out more about the program on the MBLC website and the Building Literacy podcast.
Release – MBLC