Melrose Public Library Looks at Early 2025 Re-Opening
Construction on the Library on West Emerson Street
This week, Melrose Public Library Director Linda C.W. Gardener provided an update on the library renovation project. According to the update, the library is expected to re-open in its newly renovated, permanent space on West Emerson Street in early 2025.
The City Council approved the library renovation project in late 2021 with the goal of expanding and modernizing the building and making it accessible to all patrons. The renovations were projected to cost a total of $21 million, consisting of $8.1 million in state grants from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, $2 million from the Board of Library Trustees, and $10.8 million in bonds raised by the city.
Restoring Woodwork and the Fireplace in the Browsing Room
Photo From the Melrose Public Library
The library renovation project involves restoring the original 1904 Carnegie library, demolishing the 1963 addition, and building a new wing. The builders have taken care to restore many of the historic details in the original building, including the windows, the woodwork, and the fireplace in the browsing room. They have even been able to match some of the historic paint colors that have been uncovered during the project.
The main entrance, which will now be located between the historic library and the new addition, will be accessible, so patrons don’t need to use a ramp at the back of the building in order to enter. The new library will include spaces for large meetings and computer classes, more easily accessible stacks, and dedicated spaces for children and teens.
When the project was approved, it was expected to be completed in late 2023 or early 2024, but construction delays have pushed the end date back. However, some aspects of the project have gone more smoothly than expected: National Grid, for example, recently provided permanent power to the building, several weeks ahead of schedule.
The Temporary Library Space at the Beebe School
The library has been operating out of a temporary space in the Beebe School since September 2022. While patrons can still borrow materials, browsing is limited and many of the materials are in storage and must be retrieved by library staff. Additionally, the setup in the Beebe School has no space for programming, so events must be held online or in alternate spaces like the First Congregational Church in Melrose. Despite the lack of event space, library staff reported that this year’s summer programming had been some of the most successful and well-attended yet. Gardener shared at the Library Trustees meeting this week that the Beebe School temporary space is “still holding together, but sometimes it requires duct tape.”
Once the renovation is completed and the building has been granted a Certificate of Occupancy, it will take three to five weeks for library staff to pack up everything in the temporary library space, move it to the new library, and set up the new space.
Gardener shared that, as the interior of the new library starts to look more recognizable, she will be posting more pictures to the library’s website so that patrons can follow along with the progress from home.
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