| Last week we learned that Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library was not selected to receive a Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program grant. The field was quite competitive with 22 libraries applying for assistance. Included in the announcement made by the MBLC at their meeting on Thursday, the libraries who were waitlisted will, at a minimum, wait until 2029-2030 to receive funding. Libraries applying for a new round of grant funding will wait even longer.
Based on information received last year from our community through surveys and focus groups and from our building condition assessment, we strongly believe that the library must continue to plan for a renovation/expansion project now.
In the next few weeks, the library will begin the process of creating our next five-year strategic plan. With additional feedback from community members, stakeholders, staff and the Town administration, we will be asking you to help us plan our direction for the future. We believe that Manchester-by-the-Sea deserves an innovative, sustainable library. To achieve that, a long-awaited transformation is necessary. By preserving the unique character of our historic building while expanding its capabilities, our library can become a vibrant hub of innovation and community. Please stay tuned for opportunities to help shape our library of the future! | 