Summer is often a time when members of the Sherborn community enjoy beautiful weather in their backyards or slip away for a restful vacation. This summer, there has not been much rest for the Library Building Committee or the team working to stay on top of the town’s important Sherborn Library project.
Ledge removal work was completed in early June and foundation and steel framing for the project were scheduled to follow. In July, a structural engineer investigated the foundation for the addition and it was determined that a significant portion of the walls and footings would need to be replaced. Once the new foundation is complete, the framing and enclosure for the Library addition will follow.
“We are not happy about the delay, but it’s good the problem was identified before the steel and framing started,” said Mary Moore, Chair of the Library Board of Trustees. Work on the interior of the existing building has continued during this time and the general contractor is reworking the project schedule. In addition to the foundation re-work, a cease and desist order from MassDEP was issued in July for all work within the Zone 1 area of the well that services the Town Hall, Police Station, Library and Community Center. Sherborn Town Administrator, David Williams, is working with MassDEP to resolve the issues with the well, and the Library Building Committee will know more about any necessary project changes after the well issues are resolved.
Once completed, the Library addition’s lower level will house a community hall and gallery as well as adjacent conference rooms. Upstairs, this new space will include a dedicated children’s room and a new “tree house” program room designed to draw in natural light and create a sense of open environment.
In addition to framing of the Library addition, community members may notice work has begun on new exterior pathways around the Library, creating new connections with parking and the town campus. Inside the Library, Five Star Building Corp. has replaced the building’s outdated electric and HVAC with state-of-the-art systems. The talented interiors committee of the Library Building Committee has collaborated to ensure a great selection of color, furniture and flooring for the renovated space.
During construction, the Sherborn Library will remain in its temporary home across Sanger Street at the Sherborn Community Center. There, the library staff continues to work hard, keeping the library running without interruption and offering a wide range of programming for patrons. It is estimated that the library will be ready to re-open in April 2018.
Funding for the town’s Library expansion and renovation project comes from a combination of private, state and local sources. More than $3.8 million in private funds have been raised, including gifts from more than 250 individual, foundation and corporate donors. Sherborn has been awarded a $3.6 million construction grant by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. And local municipal funding includes $1 million committed to the project by the Town of Sherborn.
For more information about the renovation project, to view renderings and project FAQs, and to review minutes from the Library Building Committee and Trustee meetings, visit the library website at library.sherbornma.org. Project updates can also be found at www.sherbornma.org.
