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Date: 6/20/2023
AMHERST — The Jones Library Building Project has received additional financing to the tune of $1.7 million in state money to address coronavirus pandemic-related cost increases.
The funding, over and above state allotments already committed to several library projects, comes via a partnership involving state Sen. Jo Comerford (D-Northampton), state Rep. Mindy Domb (D-Amherst) and state Rep. Natalie M. Blais (D-Deerfield), with the Healey-Driscoll Administration. The Tilton Library in Deerfield will be receiving approximately $470,000 in additional money.
Ginny Hamilton, manager of the Jones Library Capital Campaign said the most recent funding came from the state, particularly through the efforts of Comerford and Domb.
“They worked to recognize that we in Amherst were one of 10 libraries left in a hole because of the COVID cost escalations and delays,” she said. “They worked with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, which was our original funding source, to increase the grants for those 10 libraries.”
“Legislators across the commonwealth were hearing from their towns about these critical projects that were suddenly now not automatically going forward because the cost escalation was so high.”
Hamilton said there were library projects in the state that were not able to move forward because of the COVID-19-related cost increases.
“We’re very thankful that our delegation helped to make sure that ours was not one of them,” she said.
“This is the embodiment of government at its best,” Comerford said in a statement. “Kudos to the Healey-Driscoll Administration for hearing the call for help from libraries and municipalities statewide. Thank you to town and library officials in Amherst and Deerfield for helping galvanize their peers. The result is unprecedented.”
Domb offered praise not only for the partnership between Blais, Comerford and herself, but with all parts of state government.
“These library projects now have a better chance of crossing the finish line because of these collaborative efforts. I’m so proud that our focus on coming together to protect these projects has resulted in the greater assistance that they needed,” she said.
The further allotment puts the capital campaign fundraising efforts past $7.5 million in commitments outside the $15.8 million the town has proposed and the original state grants.
“We’re now at 84% of funding for the project,” Hamilton said.
While no changes to the content or timeline of the project come from the additional funding, Hamilton said it all remains on schedule at this point.
“We are continuing with the project as planned that the voters approved,” she said.
A June 15 meeting of the Building Committee resulted in a unanimous vote to move on to the next phase of the project, where the architectural team will provide construction documentation. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2024 with completion and move in expected by the fall of 2025.
Hamilton also said the Jones Library will be the subject of a short PBS documentary, with a film crew coming to the library over the summer. The profile, part of the “Viewpoint” series hosted by actor Dennis Quaid, is expected to air in the fall.