On January 9, 2025, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (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 municipalities awarded this competitive grant. Northbridge is one of three municipalities on the waitlist for the second phase of the grant. The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) is a state-funded program that works with local communities to build, renovate, and expand public libraries.
The MPLCP awards grants in two phases: Planning and Design Phase and Construction Phase. Planning and Design includes the award of a $100,000 grant partnered with $150,000 from the town via vote at the Northbridge Spring Town Meeting in 2024. These funds will be spent on hiring an architect to design and plan the library expansion. The plans will be submitted to MBLC by January 2026. Once the plans are independently reviewed and pass the Level of Design per MPLCP standards, Northbridge’s project will be recommended for a construction phase grant as soon as funding becomes available.
There are many factors involved in funding becoming available, including the MPLCP’s annual cap as set by the Governor’s Office of Administration and Finance and potential delays in contracted projects. MPLCP could cover 45-50% of total construction costs for a library expansion project. Remaining costs may be procured through the town of Northbridge, the Library Board of Trustees, and community fundraising efforts.
In early 2024, Library Director Rebecca Sasseville began creating a Library Building Program required to apply for the grant. The application was submitted in late May 2024 and included feedback from local residents and library patrons. Comments included the library’s need for a dedicated programming space, meeting rooms, and a larger enclosed children’s room. The full Library Building Program is available on the library’s website.
The MPLCP grant will provide millions of dollars to preserve and expand the historic library building at its current location. Whitinsville Social Library has been located at 17 Church St since it was built by architect Richard Clipston Sturgis in 1913. It was constructed through the efforts of Edward and Arthur Fletcher Whitin. The brothers sold it to the town of Northbridge for $1.00 in 1917. The institution was founded in 1844 and has been Northbridge’s public library since 1876. Except for a small addition in 2000 for an elevator, handicap accessible public bathroom, and the opening of the book stacks to the public, the building is unchanged.