SLIDESHOW: Hundreds Tour New Christa McAuliffe Library

Originally published on Feb. 14. Updated on Feb. 16 for Tuesday’s newsletter. Updated at 7:55 a.m. with more photos.

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Between Saturday’s public open house and last weekend’s private tour for donors, more than 1,000 individuals have viewed the new Christa McAuliffe Library branch in Framingham.

The new library branch on Water Street in Nobscot will open to the public on Tuesday, Feb. 16 at 9:30 a.m.

The town’s new $8.6 million branch library, will be open seven days a week, until the main Framingham Library re-opens this spring. The library’s construction was on time and on budget.

The new library is 16,888 square feet, almost 3 times the size of the current McAuliffe Library branch in Saxonville.

The new library is spacious, with lots of natural light, and sits across the street from Hemenway Elementary School.

Designed by Finegold Alexander Architects, it was constructed by Lupachino Salvatore Inc, with the help of 18 additional subcontractors.

More than 75 tons of steel and 1,300 tons of concrete was needed to complete the branch library, named for Framingham native Christa (Corrigan) McAuliffe.

One of the reasons for all the natural light is the 5,200 square feet of glass in the building.

Framingham Library Assistant Director Lena Kilburn said the there is close to 70,000 books and other materials for patrons in the new library.

The new library has a huge, spacious children’s department, complete with space for storytime and a craft room.

There is a young adult area, sectioned off by a glass partition, that features comfy video-game style leather chairs, and a row of computers for use.

Library Trustee Elizabeth Roy said she was amazed at how many individuals on Saturday didn’t just take the tour and leave. She said it was impressive how many individuals founda book or magazine and curled up in a chair to read on Saturday.

Taxpayers contributed $3.8 million to the construction of the new Nobscot branch library.

The Framingham Public Library Foundation raised $600,000 towards the new McAuliffe Library branch, and the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners awarded Framingham a $4.2 million grant. Taxpayers share is funded over a 20-year bond.

The Saxonville McAuliffe Library branch closed for good on Friday, Feb. 12.

The new Nobscot McAuliffe Library branch will be open the following hours:

• Monday to Thursday 9:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• Friday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Sunday 1 to 5 p.m. (until the Main Library reopens.The main library closed in October following an electrical explosion.)

The pop-up Library at 25 Clinton St. will remain open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., until the Main Library reopens.

The McAuliffe Branch will not be open on Sundays, once the Main Library reopens.

Library Trustee plans a grand opening celebration of the new McAuliffe branch on Sunday, May 15.

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