Renovation and Expansion Plans as of October 23, 2025.
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Why do we need a bigger library?
Whitinsville Social Library has served the town well for over 150 years, but can no longer fulfill the requirements necessary to provide twenty-first century library services. The most significant needs relate to the dire lack of space: space for patrons, space for programs, space for staff and space for collections. Beyond the physical attributes of the building, the services expected have changed substantially. Programming was not considered an essential library need in 1913, while now it is a core function. The library’s aging building systems also require modernization to address operational deficiencies, life safety, and code compliance requirements.
What is the Vision for the New Library?
The plan proposes to increase the library size from 14,500 gross square feet to some 25,000 gross square feet. The design reflects a deep interest in preserving the historic building, while recognizing the need to modernize the structure to provide twenty-first century library services. Defining features, such as the existing wood and reading rooms, will be retained. Likewise, the scale and material of the addition draw inspiration from the existing library’s footprint, height and stone construction.
Additional spaces in the expanded library will include a large Multi-Purpose Room, a dedicated Children’s Activity Room, an Innovation Lab/Makerspace, and small conference and quiet study rooms. The Children’s Room will be enlarged and separate teen space will give high-schoolers a place to belong. There will be more space for books, comfortable seats, and community collaboration. Building systems will also be upgraded to provide efficient and cost-effective service. The staff will gain workspace appropriate to their needs. The building will be made fully accessible to all, and parking will be increased.
Why did we apply for the State Grant?
In January 2025, Northbridge was awarded funding by the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). MPLCP help communities pay for major capital improvement projects, from initial planning through construction. The applicant for an MPLCP grant is the municipality in which the library is located. There is a single application for two phases of an eligible project: a planning and design phase and a construction phase. This competitive state grant will pay for a portion of eligible project costs to renovate and expand the existing library building. The Town can reasonably expect to receive roughly half of the cost of the new library from the State. Remaining costs may be procured through the Town of Northbridge, the Library Board of Trustees, and community fundraising efforts.
What is the anticipated construction timeline?
The start of construction depends on when State funding becomes available and on a Town vote accepting State funding. MPLCP grant funding most likely would come on line in 2028, with construction in 2029 and the grand opening of the updated library in 2030. It will take between 18 and 20 months to renovate and expand the existing library.
How can I help support the Library?
- Share your support of the project with friends, family, neighbors, and community leaders.
- Use the Library! Attend library events, sign up for a card, check out physical and electronic items, use its resources, and follow the library on social media.
- Consider joining the Friends of Whitinsville Social Library.
Northbridge Library Expansion Timeline:
- April 28, 2023: Letter of Intent submitted for the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program.
- February, 2024: Consultant Mary Braney was hired, paid using ARPA funds, to assist Library Director Rebecca Sasseville with creating the building program. Hiring a consultant for the grant application is encouraged by MBLC.
- March 4, 2024: Began requesting feedback from library users, Northbridge residents, library staff, library trustees, the Friends of the Library, and community leaders. Sought their input on the current library building and how it could better serve the town in the next 30 years. This included an online survey, paper surveys, and forums held at the Library and Senior Center.
- May 7, 2024: Per grant requirements Article 19 was presented and voted at the Spring Town Meeting. “The Town vote to apply for, accept, and expend Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (“MPLCP”) grant funds, and vote to appropriate from the undesignated fund balance (free cash) the sum of $150,000.00, said sum to be expended by the Town for library assessment, planning, feasibility and/or design if the MPLCP grant is approved.” The article was approved by Northbridge voters: 175 yes, 16 no.
- May 31, 2024: Application submitted to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The application included the 235 page Building Program.
- July 30, 2024: Representatives from MBLC toured the Library.
- September 24, 2024: Grant applicants were informed that the award announcement would be delayed until after December 31.
- January 9, 2025: MBLC awarded $1.3 million in planning and design grants to thirteen libraries. Whitinsville Social Library and the Town of Northbridge was one of the thirteen awarded this competitive grant. The construction project will not be immediately funded, the four medium tier libraries who ranked higher in need will go first, but the planning and design phase of the library expansion project can move forward. MBLC’s press release.
- March 7, 2025: The Town received eight submissions to the Request for Qualifications (RFQ) for the Owner’s Project Manager. The Building, Planning, and Constuction Committee (BPCC) created a subcommittee for the library’s project. The subcommittee includes the library director, town manager, and members of the Library Board of Trustees. Subcommittee members reviewed the RFQs for the purposes of holding interviews at the April BPCC Meeting.
- May 2025: LeftField was offered the OPM contract. RFQs for Architectural Design Services were solicited starting May 21 due by June 13.
- June 13, 2025: Seven architectural firms submitted RFQs.
- July 2, 2025: BPCC interviewed the top three architectural firms. The committee voted to approve Oudens Ello to design the expansion.
- July 2025: Oudens Ello is designing and revising expansion plans with input from the Library Director, MBLC, Library Trustees, Library staff, and the BPCC. Abutters and community meetings will be scheduled for the fall.
- October 2025: Two open houses occurred on Saturday October 18 from 10 AM-12 PM and Thursday October 23 from 5-7 PM. Residents and library patrons offered their feedback and asked questions about the conceptual design at these events.
- October 24, 2025: The current iteration of the schematic design plans are available to view online.
- November 2025: The design is being reworked with feedback garnered from the community. The architects are on track to submit the schematic design to MBLC by the end-of-the-year deadline.
- December 30, 2025: The MPLCP Level of Design application was submitted. Independent third party reviewers will assess the application and schematic design for compliance with the grant program. The municipality may know early in 2026 if the design is approved.
- January 29, 2026: The submission passed the MBLC third party review.