FAQs for Hopkinton Public Library
Updated on February, 2012
What is the time line of this project?
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May 2011 - Annual Town Meeting approved the library plans submitted to the state for a Library Construction Grant.
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May 2011 - Annual Town Meeting approved change of zoing for both library parcels to Downtown Business.
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July 2011 - MBLC approved the plan for the renovation and expansion of Hopkinton Public Library.
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July 2011 - MBLC awarded $4.5 million to the town of Hopkinton as a Library Construction grant.
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July 2014 - Expected date that MBLC will make the provisional grant award available to Hopkinton.
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December 2014 - The town must sign a contract to accept the grant.
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January 2015 - Hopkinton must secure $5.4 from town and from private donation.
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2016 - Anticipated start of construction.
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In April , 2011
1. WHY DO WE NEED A NEW LIBRARY?
The current library does not meet the needs of our community. Here are some factors that help explain why we should expand the library.
- When the library was built in 1895, Hopkinton had about 3,000 residents.
- Today Hopkinton has more than 15,000 residents yet our library building has remained unchanged since 1967 when it expanded with the purchase of St, Paul’s Episcopal Church.
- At nearly 5,000 square feet, our library is one of the smallest libraries in the Metro West area.
- From FY 2005 to FY 2010
- Circulation increased by 18%
- Number of library card holders increased by 35%
- Number of people attending library programs increased by 39%
- Computer usage increased by 32%
- Interlibrary loans from other libraries increased by 54%
- Assistance provided to people for their information needs increased by 58%
- Children’s room (upstairs) is not accessible for residents with strollers and wheelchairs
- Book, movie, and music collections are limited due to lack of space
- No meeting space for library programs or community sponsored programs/meetings
- Inadequate parking
2. WHY NOT RENOVATE THE EXISTING LIBRARY?
The proposal for our new library incorporates, saves and renovates portions of the old library building. The new library is a blend of new and old.
The proposal for our new library incorporates, saves and renovates portions of the old library building. The new library is a blend of new and old.
3. WHY IS THE PROPOSED LIBRARY SO BIG?
The current 5,000-square-foot library was last renovated 43 years ago, when Hopkinton’s population was about 5,500. Since 1967, library usage, number of patron visits, and the number of cardholders have increased dramatically, but the library’s existing space is not designed to accommodate this growth. The estimated size of the expanded building is 22,000 square feet on 2 floors. The design of the building was based on community input, and is a flexible space to be able to adapt to the changes in technology and service demands. The library will be able to serve the needs of the community both now, and for the next 20 or more years.
The current 5,000-square-foot library was last renovated 43 years ago, when Hopkinton’s population was about 5,500. Since 1967, library usage, number of patron visits, and the number of cardholders have increased dramatically, but the library’s existing space is not designed to accommodate this growth. The estimated size of the expanded building is 22,000 square feet on 2 floors. The design of the building was based on community input, and is a flexible space to be able to adapt to the changes in technology and service demands. The library will be able to serve the needs of the community both now, and for the next 20 or more years.
4. WHY DO WE NEED AN EVENT ROOM IN THE LIBRARY?
As part of its mission, a public library offers special educational programs and events to the public. A designated event room will enable our library expand its programs and offer them in an appropriate area. The library can also make this meeting space available to community organizations after library hours.
As part of its mission, a public library offers special educational programs and events to the public. A designated event room will enable our library expand its programs and offer them in an appropriate area. The library can also make this meeting space available to community organizations after library hours.
5. WHAT ABOUT COMPUTERS AND DIGITAL MEDIA – INFORMATION?
Public library services include computer services and access to digital media. Just like print material, most copyrighted material is not free. As a service organization, public libraries offer free materials in both print and digital format.
Public library services include computer services and access to digital media. Just like print material, most copyrighted material is not free. As a service organization, public libraries offer free materials in both print and digital format.
6. HOW DOES THE PUBLIC LIBRARY BENEFIT THE TOWN?
The public library is a community hub that provides:
- A gathering place for all residents, with both large and small meeting rooms. One meeting room will be available for use by residents during hours when Library is closed.
- Expanded space for books, multi-media items (DVDs, music CDs, audio books & E-books) and periodicals (magazines & newspapers).
- Young Adult room with computers, reading area & possibly gaming and music listening area.
- Children’s room with space to include larger play area and separate story time/ program room.
- Historical room for local history & genealogy collection and research/reading area.
- Full handicapped accessibility.
- Additional computers for Internet access and more space to use Wi-Fi access.
- Improved parking.
7. HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST THE TOWN?
If the town of Hopkinton accepts the grant, the financial commitment will be approximately 25% of the project’s eligible costs. Private fundraising will fund the remaining 25% of the costs.
If the town of Hopkinton accepts the grant, the financial commitment will be approximately 25% of the project’s eligible costs. Private fundraising will fund the remaining 25% of the costs.
8. HOW MUCH WILL THIS COST ME?
Approximately $39.00 per current average home evaluation of $472,457.00
Approximately $39.00 per current average home evaluation of $472,457.00
9. IS THIS SOMETHING WE "WANT” OR "NEED”?
The current library is undersized for today’s population and this problem will significantly increase as the town grows. There is no doubt that the library needs renovating. As a public building, it is not accessible, there is only one public bathroom, the mechanical system needs updating and there is limited public parking. With these conditions, the library today is not adequately serving its current population, and will not be capable of handling the estimated population increase.
The current library is undersized for today’s population and this problem will significantly increase as the town grows. There is no doubt that the library needs renovating. As a public building, it is not accessible, there is only one public bathroom, the mechanical system needs updating and there is limited public parking. With these conditions, the library today is not adequately serving its current population, and will not be capable of handling the estimated population increase.
10. WHAT ARE WE VOTING FOR?
At the Annual Town Meeting we are asking residents only to approve the preliminary library building design plans and the re-zoning of the library property. There is no cost involved with this vote.
At the Annual Town Meeting we are asking residents only to approve the preliminary library building design plans and the re-zoning of the library property. There is no cost involved with this vote.
11. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO VOTE "YES”?
A vote "yes” means that Hopkinton is eligible for a Library Construction Grant from the state. If Hopkinton is awarded the grant, then the town must vote to fund the project and accept the grant before any further work is done.
A vote "yes” means that Hopkinton is eligible for a Library Construction Grant from the state. If Hopkinton is awarded the grant, then the town must vote to fund the project and accept the grant before any further work is done.
12. WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO VOTE "NO”?
A "no” vote means the town will be ineligible for state grant funding. Any work done to the library would be at the Town’s expense.
A "no” vote means the town will be ineligible for state grant funding. Any work done to the library would be at the Town’s expense.
13. WHEN DO WE KNOW IF WE GET A GRANT AND WHAT’S THE TIMELINE?
- January 2011 - town submits grant application to MBLC.
- Annual Town Meeting 2011 – Hopkinton residents vote to approve the preliminary design for the public library project).
- Summer 2011 - grant recipients announced.
- Fall 2011 - after the grant is awarded, Hopkinton residents vote to fund the project – approximately 25% of the cost
- January 2012 - town signs contract with state to receive grant.
- January 2013 – construction must begin within 12 months of signing grant contract.
- Summer 2014 - library opens (estimate 14 to 18 months of construction).