Let's Build a New Library in Upton!

Status of New Library November 2009

2009-11-23T16:24:00.003-05:00

Voters at Town Meeting on November 17th, 2009 defeated a motion to appropriate $20,000 to fund a feasibility and design study for a new library to be built on property leased from the Maplewood Cemetery on Maple Ave, Upton.

This vote effectively means that the Library Trustees can go no further in the process of planning a new library on the Cemetery site.

The Trustees will continue investigating other options, such as including library space in the renovation of Town Hall, or collaborating with the Selectmen as they consider the idea of purchasing and renovating the Holy Angels church building.

Q & A in regard to Special Town Meeting Article #11

2009-11-10T14:36:00.016-05:00

Here are some Questions you may have about Article #11 on the Special Town Meeting warrant, scheduled for Nov 17th:

Q. What are the Library Trustees asking for today?

Q. Why do we need a new library facility?

Q. How was the current building site selected?

Q. Why not renovate a town-owned or low-cost building instead of new construction?

Q. What new services would an adequate facility allow?

Q. Why move forward with this proposal in the current turbulent economic climate?

Q. The School budget is very tight. Why should town resources go towards the public library instead of to educational resources?

Q. What might the library of 5 or 10 years in the future look like?

Here's the latest ...

2009-11-09T14:09:00.003-05:00

Members of the Library Building Design Selection Committee, a sub-group of the Library Building Feasibility Committee, are meeting with Architects right now to narrow the choices, and will know by the end of this week the details to be presented at a Special Town Meeting to be held next week, Tuesday, Nov. 17th at Nipmuc HS. beginning at 7:30pm

PLEASE plan to attend that meeting to learn more!

Update on our two top priorities

2009-04-02T13:50:00.002-04:00

Library facilities on Maplewood Cemetery land:

Both the Trustees of the Library and of Maplewood Cemetery are preparing to sign the letter of intent to lease the property. Once that document is signed, the feasiblity committee will have permission to do surveying work on the property to site a library building.
The committee is gathering information to make some preliminary cost estimates. Our rough estimates at this point indicate that a 10,000 square foot building should be possible for $2-3 million. We are working on making sure that number is closer to 2 million than 3 million. If we decide to commit to this option, the next significant step will be to hire an architect to bring all our ideas and work together into a site plan that would be suitable for presentation to the town.

Renovation of existing Town Hall
It is my understanding that the Selectmen are bringing a proposal to the Community Preservation Committee to fund a study and architectural plan to renovate the existing Town Hall building. If this funding is approved, the Selectmen will appoint a Town Hall feasiblity committee, which would be responsible for deciding exactly how the space in Town Hall is allocated. We hope the Selectmen will appoint one or more library representatives to this committee.

Why Not Combine Resources and Think Green??

2009-02-23T15:48:00.009-05:00

Since the purpose of this blog is to share information and possibilities, and also to keep interested community members updated on what's happening at Feasibility Committee Meetings, I have been hoping for more input on this blog from members of the Committee. I want the facts and options to be shared so that we can all have a chance to comment about them and join together in sharing ideas, thus having a better chance of reaching a viable solution.

I am going out on a limb here by stating an "I heard ...." but my hope in doing this is to encourage the parties involved to come forward and join this discussion, and set the details straight. So, here goes:

I heard.... that at the last Feasibility Committee meeting an idea was proposed, one that I have been talking about from day one, and was instantly shot down with the comment that 'the people of Upton would never go for that' and also that the person making the suggestion 'should maybe not even be on the committee if that is how that person really feels!'

Here's the suggestion, which personally I think makes all the sense in the world, but would LOVE to hear what the voting members of our community have to say:

"Why are we not considering having ALL Town Departments join together in creating one new, efficient GREEN building that would solve so many issues in town, including space and costs?"

My 'dream building' would encompass a new library, a new senior center and include office space for all of the departments currently housed in the Town Hall and Knowlton Risteen Building, two old, inefficient buildings that would cost ridiculous amounts of money to update. When I've spoken of this idea before I actually had someone say to me "What do you think this is, Arizona?" I don't even know what that MEANS?! Was this person implying that people in Upton aren't forward-thinking enough to even consider such a brilliant idea?? I think it's a no-brainer, but I want to know what YOU think!

Just last week, the library hosted a program called Our Renewable Nation which included viewing an interview with the head of a private school in Worcester which has recently built a wind turbine on its campus to become totally self-sufficient energy-wise. Why can't the Town of Upton do something similar? Save money and create the much-needed improvements for our community. To view this video, click here: Wind Over Worcester.

I am just posting this video as ONE of many possibilities .... but I think that in order to bring about the changes we need, all of us need to be thinking beyond individual department needs and looking at the bigger picture of the future of Upton.

Why consider a new library now?

2009-02-09T14:56:00.002-05:00

Several people over the last week have asked me essentially the same question:
"Why are the trustees even considering a new library building in the current economic recession and strained municipal budget?"

The answer to this concern is that the trustees have no intention of asking the Town of Upton for significant capital funding in the next six months, the next year, or likely in the next several years.

What we want is to have a plan in place, a project that is "shovel ready" that could be started when funding does become a possibility.

The process to go from "we need a new library" to "here is a description of the project that could be presented to a Town Meeting" takes several years. Our previous grant application was started in 2004, and submitted in 2006.

Securing a building site and having a detailed floorplan with cost estimates are requirements for any grant applications, and for the Friends of the Library to start fundraising.

For a successful building project, we need to develop our plan now, and then be ready to take advantage of funding sources in the future. If we wait until funding is available before starting the plan, the opportunity will be lost.

Donations can now be made online!

2009-02-06T08:36:00.006-05:00

Starting in February 2009 you can now make donations online!

Go to the Library's catalog and look for the "Donate (NEW!)" link way up in the right-hand corner of the screen. Click, then choose UPTON TOWN LIBRARY from the drop-down menu. Enter any amount, along w/your credit card info, and the donation will be processed through C/WMARS. They will send a check to The Friends of the Upton Town Library!

THANKS!

Comments and more info about Steel Building

2009-02-04T12:07:00.004-05:00

In response to the posting earlier this week about the Feasibility Committee's visit to a steel-frame constructed building in Hopedale, read these comments, by clicking here:
COMMENTS

I'd love to hear from other members of the Feasibility Committee about their thoughts on these plans!

Feasbility Committee Tours Steel-Frame Building

2009-02-02T12:36:00.002-05:00

This morning, the members of the feasibility committee went to Hopedale for a very informative tour of a steel-frame building.
The building we looked at was built by a private corporation for a printing and envelope stuffing operation. The structure was 11,600 square feet, with half furnished as offices, and the other half open workspace.

Committee members were impressed with the attractiveness of the outside, and I was pleasantly surprised by just how much space 10,000 square feet actually is, compared to the cramped area the library currently occupies.

The committee is actively gathering price estimates on library interior furnishings to provide a ballpark figure for total project cost.

Steel Frame building and progress on Maplewood Cemetery site

2009-01-21T14:38:00.002-05:00

At our last Feasiblity Committee meeting, most of our discussion focused on the possibility of a new library facility built on land leased from Maplewood Cemetery.

The Library Trustees have opened negotiations with Maplewood Cemetery to lease approximately 5 acres of land for 99 years. Everyone seems to think the lease is a good idea, now it is a matter of working out the details into something that could be presented at a Town Meeting.

We also started discussing some specifics of the possible building. Right now we are considering a 10,000 square foot building. A rough floorplan indicates that 10,000 square feet would provide adequate library space, although we had to remove some features that were included in our previous plans; such as the local history room and large meeting space.

One intriguing idea is being considered, which would be to purchase a pre-engineered steel frame building. These buildings are sold by a company that comes to the site and erects a building shell on a concrete slab, and you then have your own contractors install all the interior walls, heating and plumbing systems and so on.
Steel frame buildings can offer some significant savings over custom designed buildings.

The next step is for the committee to get cost estimates for everything other than the building shell so we can evaluate what the savings would be.

Do you have any experience with or opinions about pre-engineered steel buildings? It is not typical for a library to choose this sort of construction, so if anyone has input, we'd love to hear it!

Feasibility Committee Meeting Tonight

2009-01-13T10:46:00.003-05:00

The Library Feasibility Committee will be holding an open public meeting tonight at the Fire Station, at 7pm.

I am hoping that members of the committee have read the comments posted on this blog and will take them into consideration in their planning. I do not know what is on the agenda for tonight's meeting, but will be interested to hear if any more has been discussed about the'Library-in-TownHall' proposal.

Interesting Article in today's Boston Globe ...

2009-01-04T13:00:00.003-05:00

Happy New Year!
I just wanted to share this article from today's Boston Globe, that a couple people have already sent to me ... Check it out!

"As the economy sags, library use is booming. But will the services people want survive the budget cuts towns fear?"

Libraries have been changing for years, repositioning themselves to attract patrons in a digital age. In recent years, libraries have expanded their DVD collections, opened Internet cafes, attracted children with video game hours, and even used technology to let people download music and video.

But how much will it cost?

2008-12-29T22:07:00.007-05:00

Before we even go there .... let me ask you THIS:

How much do you SAVE by using the Library?
This issue was mentioned in a recent comment posted by one of our Trustees, so I started thinking about how to calculate that, and while researching the concept, I found this very cool "Library Use Value Calculator" ... Click here to try it out!

I don't know how old this is, but I have a feeling that today's actual values are much higher than this will show. For example, it calculates a book at $15/ea, and we all know that a new hardcover book costs almost double that! (Maybe it's averaging hardcover and paperback prices together?) Also, when's the last time anyone accessed microfilm?! Anyhow, you'll get the point, at least!

Don't forget: DVD's ~ FREE for a week!

And this doesn't even calculate all you can save by using Museum Passes!

If not Town Hall, then Where?

2008-12-29T14:20:00.008-05:00

We all know about the original proposal for a new 18,000 sq.ft. Library to be built in the Planned Village on Maple Ave, which did not happen.

We also all know that the Town chose not to purchase the Maple Ave property when it was offered for sale.

What many people may NOT know, however, is how all of this affected our Library Construction Grant from the MBLC.

Once again, I will ask for someone with the facts and details to send some info to be posted here, to help educate and inform our citizens of what has happened, what is happening, and what MIGHT happen with the existing grant, and info about any other site possibilities/options.

Info about the 'Library-in-Town-Hall' proposal

2008-12-29T11:17:00.014-05:00

In response to my earlier post, regarding the comment someone made about this proposal, Matthew has included the following info:

Renovating the current Town Hall and using the space that is currently the Gym/Stage area for a library:

1) A local architect volunteered his time and skills to create several conceptual plans for renovations of Town Hall. At the request of the Library Trustees, one of these possible plans included converting the gym and "little town hall" area into roughly 8,500 square feet of library space.
2) The Board of Selectmen presented a request to the Community Preservation Committee to use CPA funds to pay for the design and development of construction documents. This request was for about $650,000 and would not have added to the tax rate. The version of the project that was presented to the CPC mentioned the library as one possible use of the renovated building, but did not assign any specific space or priority to the library. The CPC rejected this request, citing a need for more specific information.
3) The next steps for this project to proceed are in the hands of the Selectmen. They may either a) stop working on the project entirely; b) appoint a building feasibility committee to develop more specific plans; c) present a revised request to the CPC.

The Board of Library Trustees is still interested in pursuing the possibility of renovating part of Town Hall into library space, but until the Selectmen decide to take the next step, there is little for the Trustees to do.

If library supporters would like to help push the Town Hall renovation idea along, they should contact the Board of Selectmen by any means (personal contact, email, letter) and indicate that they would like to see specific plans for Town Hall renovation, and request that library space be included and that library representatives be appointed to any Town Hall feasibility committee that is formed.

-Matthew Bachtold, Library Director

*--------------------------------------------------------------------*

Contact info:
Upton Board of Selectmen: (all elected for 3-yr terms)

Robert J. Fleming, Chairman
Kenneth E. Picard, Member
Michael Goodwin, Member

1 Main Street
PO Box 479
Upton, MA 01568

Telephone: 508-529-6901
Fax: 508-529-1010

Admin Asst: James R. Bates, Sr
jbates.selectmen@upton.ma.us

*-----------------------------------------------------------*

Board of Library Trustees: (all elected for 3-yr terms)

John Robertson Jr., Chairman
Erin Alcott
Charlotte Carr
Judith Katz
Kathleen E. Kelley
George Klink
John Minnucci
Candace E. Reid
Linda D. White

2 Main Street
PO Box 1196
Upton, MA 01568

The Board of Library Trustees holds an open, public meeting on the first Monday night of each month, at 7pm, at Memorial School.

Library in Town Hall??

2008-12-26T12:24:00.005-05:00

I'm very interested in the comment that someone posted on the blog last night, referring to proposed Town Hall renovations.

Read the post here.

Could someone with the facts about this proposal please post the details here? I think it would be very interesting and helpful, to make sure we're all aware of the possibilities.

Thank you all again for your support, and for taking the time to get involved and help educate our community!

Keep the comments coming!

2008-12-24T11:09:00.009-05:00

Thank you to all who have already responded!
I am very excited by the number of people who have taken the time to email me and comment on this effort (click here to read all the comments!), especially at such a very busy time of year! This blog was started less than 48hrs ago and has already been viewed by 48 people! (The hit counter is set to only count unique viewers, so it's not the same people clicking over & over again!) Five people have already registered to receive e-mail updates! You can sign up to receive updates by entering your email address in the box on the right.

Below are a few more comments I've rec'd that I would like to share. I am hoping that in January we can put some real energy into analyzing these comments and developing a plan to put the findings to good use! So far, it looks like we really need to concentrate on educating our fellow citizens on the vast array of services available to them, that they probably don't even know exist! It amazes me how many people are still not aware that they can use their Upton Library card to request materials from other libraries and pick them up in Upton, and even fewer people realize they can make those requests from their own computer at home!
(If you are not aware of that: Click here to try it out!)

Please feel free to call or stop by the Library for a lesson on how to place your own holds, request items from other libraries and renew items online!

KF wrote:

Perhaps we can pick up some pointers here:
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6523445.html?rssid=220

JM wrote:

Just an FYI. I was chatting with another Upton friend yesterday and she had no idea about the CW/MARS card! Just made me wonder how many people aren't taking advantage of this. Any chance you could post the information and how it works? If people knew it was available and started utilizing the service, I imagine they would be more inclined to get involved and do what it takes not to see it taken away.

Thank you all for your interest and support!

Enjoy the Holidays!
~Lisa
:)

Welcome to our new blog!

2008-12-22T16:31:00.003-05:00

Matthew Bachtold, Library Director, and Lisa Stratton, Children's/Young Adult Librarian (that's me!) at the Upton Town Library have been assigned the task of gathering community input for a proposed new library in Upton.

WE NEED YOUR HELP!

As residents, library patrons, voters and tax payers, we need your honest input on this ... and you deserve the chance to have your opinions and ideas heard.

Here's our first discussion question. Please think about this, and answer honestly.

What would be your top priorities for a new library building to have?

For example, would WiFi be more important to you than a large Reference collection??

Really think about this.... More books or More services?

What types of services?

Keep in mind, books can be borrowed from other libraries, and delivered to Upton, so should space be reserved for people to gather in, rather than to store more books in??

Larger children's area, separate storytime room?

Young Adult/Teen room?

Meeting rooms? cafe??

Let's get a discussion going here....!

On the "Build a New Library in Upton" Facebook page, our position statements are:

The Library should serve as the Town's Community Center.
The Library should meet the educational, recreational, informational, and cultural needs of its community.
"Libraries will get us through times of no money better than money will get us through times of no Libraries!"
It is imperative that residents make their voices heard, and let Library Trustees and Town Selectman know how much they value the Library.

Thank you for your help!!