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Date: 12/12/2023
EASTHAMPTON — Staff and friends of the Easthampton Public Library are working tirelessly to find out what an ideal library building should have so that it can best serve the needs of the Easthampton community.
“A large part of the grant-writing process involves seeking input from the Easthampton community and library stakeholders about their assessment of the current building’s strengths and challenges and about community needs and visions for the library’s future,” explained Katya Schapiro, director of Easthampton Public Library.
In the spring, the library plans to apply for a Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program through the Massachusetts Libraries Board of Library Commissioners. To facilitate the grant, the library has surveyed residents, as well as hosted two public forums and a series of smaller focus groups and interviews.
The goal is to assess “the building features that the city needs to support the next 30 years of library programming,” said Schapiro.
The city has been looking at the needs of the library for some time now and residents are eager to share what they’d like to see and what does not work at the current site.
“The response to the survey and at the public forums has been enthusiastic and constructive,” noted Schapiro. “Community members have acknowledged the shortcomings of the current library building while honoring its historic charm and the hard work of the staff, and have shared many clear and actionable ideas for future needs.”
Currently, all plans are site-neutral, focusing on gathering information, and then organizers will look at locations that would best fit those needs. The current site of the library is not an option.
“The current library building is not accessible, has no parking, and lacks many of the features needed in a modern library, including study and meeting space, storage, staff work areas, and outdoor space,” explained Schapiro.
Grant awards will be announced in late 2024. If Easthampton is selected, then the city will need to approve the grant. If all of that goes well, then the design phase of the project could start next winter.
“Easthampton residents have seen many successful examples of library renewal in the surrounding communities, and these provided a helpful context in our conversations about Easthampton’s specific needs,” said Schapiro. “Overall, the response has been that of a community ready, willing, and eager to support the growth of the library and to embrace changes that will allow the library to better serve the community.”
Schapiro emphasized that library staff and supporters intend to have “strong, clear communication about the library’s plans, goals and situation as the project goes forward.”