The Board of Trustees of the Peterborough Town Library is unveiling an ambitious $8.5 million plan to renovate the historic structure.
The plan includes demolition of library additions built in 1957 and 1978, replacing those with a state-of-the-art, many-windowed structure to give the library 17,000 square feet — making it more of a community space. The trustees have raised $2.3 million toward the project and are planning to ask the voters for a $3 million bond at next year’s Town Meeting.
“We believe in the project and we think it’s good for the town,” said library trustee Marcia Patten.
The new design features a dedicated children and teen space and a large meeting room which could fit 120 people, which library officials see as a space ideal for events like conferences, movies, presentations and weddings.
Library Director Corinne Chronopoulos said she showed the plan for the conference space to Peterborough Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Sean Ryan, who seemed “very excited” about the prospect.
“Basically one of the things that we’re missing in the Monadnock region, especially for incoming small businesses, is meeting space,” Ryan said.
The project also includes restoration of the historic 1892 library building, which includes stripping the white paint from the brick in the interior and restoring the fireplace.
“More than the renovation of outdated spaces and addressing the major infrastructure issues of the current building, the project will create spaces that can be driven by its users,” said Chronopoulos, in a release. “A smart, highly flexible floor plan has been designed to be able to pivot in different ways to meet the evolving needs of the town.”
In 1833, Peterborough became the first free public library in the country to be supported by taxation. Back then, the town purchased 100 books and housed them in Smith and Thompson’s General Store and the post office. Now, the library’s collection has grown to about 43,000 with 4,000 card holders.
The library’s budget has also swelled — in 2016, the library’s operating budget was $636,000.
Outside of programming, a bulk of the library’s expense is tied up in energy costs. Last year, the library spent $9,334.20 on heating fuel and $9,797.07 on electricity.
Chronopoulos says the library is “the No. 1 burner of oil in town.”
The library’s inefficiencies are well-documented since an energy audit in 2006 revealed several issues with the building’s lack of insulation.
And energy inefficiency isn’t the building’s only issue, none of the entrances to the building are compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
In 2011, a nonprofit called the 1833 Society formed to address the library’s problems and launch a campaign for the building’s future.
In 2013, the 1833 Society hosted a visioning session and about 100 people came. From that meeting came the community’s suggestions for the library. Several people said they wanted: a social space, safe children and youth areas, quiet spaces and meetings spaces of 100 people or more.
In the 174-year history of the library, voters have traditionally supported expansions and renovations.
About $2.3 million has been pledged to the project as of last week, including a $1 million grant from the Partridge Foundation, which the library trustees receive once organizers hit their goal of 80 percent of the $8.5 million they need.
Library officials are asking the select board to add the $3 million bond to the 2018 Town Meeting warrant.
“(In 1833), the residents understood the importance of having a place where anyone, whether rich or poor, could access information,” said Patten in an email Monday. “This is our heritage and I believe today’s voters will want to continue to build on that.”
At a July 18 select board meeting, library officials gave a presentation on the project and received verbal support from the board members.
“You certainly have my support,” said select board member Barbara Miller at the meeting. “I think the library is a vital resource and an economic driver.”
If the bond gets on the ballot and passes, officials expect to begin construction in August of 2018, around the same time the Main Street bridge construction is expected to take place.
Library officials are also planning on an “overhaul” of the collection, reducing the 45,000 volumes to 38,000 to accommodate the new space. It’s a process that is overdue, according to Chronopoulos.
Tony Marquis can be reached at 924-7172, ext. 225 or tmarquis@ledgertranscript.com.