Beals Memorial Library looks to renovate, expand

By Owen Boss

WINCHENDON — Plans to renovate and expand the Beals Memorial Library took an important step toward becoming a reality when Gov. Deval Patrick recently signed a $3 billion general governmental needs bond bill, a move that could secure $3.3 million for the project. Included in the bill was a little less than $95 million for the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, which will now allow the commission to award provisional library construction grants to 31 different communities across the commonwealth. Although the money for the project has been approved, the town must gather together local funding for the project and sign a contract with the state before Dec. 31, 2009. According to Library Director Julia White Cardinal, the 95-year-old library is sorely in need of both a structural renovation and expansion off of the rear of the building. “If you look out the back window there is a lot of open space back there,” said Ms. Cardinal. “We are hoping to expand out into that space.” The proposed plans, which were submitted by the Library Improvement Committee Jan. 6, 2006, call for some major changes to the building and the way the space is used, according to Ms. Cardinal. “We would put in all the things that a wonderful library has,” said Ms. Cardinal. “All of the things we wish we had and we need to fit it in the space that we have.” Major changes would include a story-hour room, a handicap-accessible elevator, a new parking lot, and the development of a larger computer kiosk than the five stations currently offered. Although she considers the plan open to changes, Ms. Cardinal recognizes that the estimated price will have to be re-evaluated because of increases in fuel and labor prices. “The estimates that we had were more than 2 1/2 years old, and with gas prices and the war in Iraq, and the hurricanes have taken a terrible toll on the cost of building materials,” Ms. Cardinal said. According to Ms. Cardinal, the committee knew that the end result of the plans would have to take in account changes the town will face over the next couple of decades. “They asked us to plan for 20 years down the road,” said Ms. Cardinal. “That means there will be a larger population, a larger community, and we might want to have even more materials than we currently have.” Also taken into consideration, according to Ms. Cardinal, were changes in library materials and future changes in the way residents can utilize the library. “There are things we offer now that weren’t even dreamed about in 1913,” said Ms. Cardinal. “We now have books on CD, DVDs, computers, and we have to prepare for all of that.” oboss@thegardnernews.com

Appeared on Page 3 on 8/20/2008 (Vol. 206 No. 197)