Delayed Fitchburg library renovations set to begin this year, city says
FITCHBURG — The city expects to begin renovations on the public library later this year with completion of the project expected in 2026, about a year later than originally scheduled.
The library on Main Street has been closed since fall 2023 but has offered programs and services at a temporary location at 166 Boulder Drive, where it will continue to operate until the renovations at 610 Main St. are complete.
The project, expected to cost $40 million, involves two major changes for the library: renovation of the Wallace Library to include more community spaces and the addition of a children's library and learning center that will replace the existing youth library.
Fitchburg Library Director Deb Hinkle said the goal of the project is to provide materials and experiences Fitchburg residents might not otherwise be able to afford.
“The community room is going to be a really flexible space that can be sectioned off into two spaces instead of just one,” Hinkle said. “We’re incorporating several smaller meeting rooms, a computer lab and a maker space. We’re going to have an increase in seating areas where people can study and engage with each other.”
The project means more gathering spaces, including a lounge area and more conference rooms.
“Our mission is to provide access to information and education opportunities without a direct cost to the patron,” Hinkle said. “There are few places left in the world where you can go without being forced to make a financial transaction. This is one of those places. So this is one of the most important community hubs. It’s about accessibility.”
The existing 29,700-square-foot Wallace Library, named for the Wallace family, who owned Fitchburg Paper and funded the library's construction in the 1960s, is over 50 years old. The new youth library wing adds 25,730 square feet, bringing the new facility to 55,430 square feet.
Funding for the current project comes from numerous sources: $12.4 million from a grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Library Construction Program Grant, $12 million from the City of Fitchburg's American Rescue Plan Act funding, $3.5 million from the OWL (Offering a World of Learning) Capital Campaign and the remaining $12 million from the City of Fitchburg.
The start of construction was delayed due to changes in federal flood maps that resulted in new design criteria. The plan now is to break ground later this year.
“We’ve identified a path forward and the project is still within the allocated budget,” Hinkle said.
"The public library is the true 'building for the people,' and the city is committed to ensuring this central piece of community social infrastructure moves forward with a state-of-the-art library that benefits all people," Mayor Samantha Squailia said in a statement. "We have worked through the design challenges on this major capital project with our design team, project managers, and city officials and will continue to work in close collaboration to oversee the project and ensure we remain within budget."
“As a Gateway City, it’s imperative to highlight how having a modern library will better the economy for local businesses, create more inviting places and provide that access to information and educational opportunities for people who need them,” Hinkle said. “We also want to utilize this new space and reimagine and expand our programming. This is an opportunity for the library to provide services people would not be able to afford otherwise.”
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Fitchburg Public Library renovations to begin soon, complete in 2026
