Design History
Background
Our Library Building Program was developed by library consultant Marjorie Judd in May 2008.
The architectural firm Johnson-Roberts was selected to design our new library. Since 1997, the firm has provided designs and feasibility studies for over 50 public libraries, and completed construction of 23 public libraries. They have successfully renovated many 18th century library buildings and designed and blended additions with historic buildings.
A link to the Building Program may be found on the "Project Documents" page
Preliminary Library Design Plans
A link to the Building Program may be found on the "Project Documents" page
Preliminary Library Design Plans
The Permanent Building Committee worked diligently with the architect - Johnson-Roberts - to develop a viable and desirable addition/renovation to the existing library at 13 Main Street. The new library will be a 22, 000 SF building with 2 floors and 21 parking spaces on site.
Built in 1985, the library has been an icon of downtown Hopkinton for generations. With an expansion along Church Street, the library will continue to be that icon and will serve the community for generations to come.
Built in 1985, the library has been an icon of downtown Hopkinton for generations. With an expansion along Church Street, the library will continue to be that icon and will serve the community for generations to come.
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How was the building site selected?
A Feasibility Study, (Part 1 & Part 2 ) including four possible site choices was conducted. The goal was to select a site that is well-suited for the town and meet the needs of the community. Because Johnson-Roberts needed one specific site to develop the design, the Permanent Building Committee (PBC) evaluated pros and cons of each of the sites. Pros and cons of possible sites:
1.Claflin Place Option Use of a 4-acre parcel of land behind Claflin Place. This site was advantageous because of it's central location in the town. This was not considered as a desirable option, however, because the site is land-locked and would require the Town to acquire additional land to provide road access to the site. 2. Center School Renovation Option. Moving the library into Center School was a good option because it would keep the library in a prominent location, and provide needed 65 parking spaces. However, the school's floors were not built to handle heavy book stacks, and parts of the school (not the historic building) would need to be removed and rebuilt. This would result in a three-story building rather than two-story which is not cost effective. 3. Renovation and addition to the current library site Options. Option #1and Option #2 Renovation and expansion of the current library with the adjacent lot at 9 Church St. could be accomplished but this option would not accommodate parking for library patrons. It is also expensive to build an underground parking lot, there is not enough parking around the library and also there is additional cost to relocate the library during construction. 4. New Building Behind Center School Option
This option would enable the library to remain within the downtown area. It also provided the most flexibility and efficiency in designing the library with more than adequate parking on site. With an estimated $9 million construction cost, this option was the most affordable. On Sept. 9th, 2010 at the PBC meeting more than 30 residents viewed these options, asked questions and provided feedback. In October, the PBC recommended that building a new library behind Center School is most cost effective solution.
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At its Sept. 28th meeting the Board of Selectmen voted to send a Letter of Intent to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) for a library construction grant to build a new library build behind Center School.
On Nov. 2010, the School Committee disclosed that land behind center school will most likely be not available for town use.
Concurrently, through public viewing, comments, concerns and preferences of Hopkinton residents and various town boards, PBC explored the option of expanding the current location at 13 Main St.by using the adjacent lot at 9 Church St.  A great deal of thought, planning and discussions were devoted toward what the library should look like, how it should function for patrons and staff, and how it should fit in its downtown location. The library design went through several revisions and was shared with the town boards, trustees, residents and library staff.
The design was ultimately selected and approved by the PBC in Dec. 2010. The design incorporated an expansion and renovation to the exisiting building totaling 22,000 SF with 2 floors and 21 parking spaces on site.
An application for a library construction grant was submitted to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners on Jan. 27th. 2011 with the following preliminary design. The Permanent Building Committee worked diligently with the architect - Johnson-Roberts - to develop a viable and desirable addition/renovation to the existing library at 13 Main Street. The library with an expansion along Church Street, will continue to be a cornerstone of Hopkinton's downtown to serve the community for generations to come.
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