Arts & Entertainment
Grafton Public Library: Library Opening Delayed
Without the remaining shelving, we cannot put away relocated items or finish shelving the collections.
August 20, 2021
The Library is unable to open to the public as planned on Monday, August 23, 2021, due to delays in raw materials, fabrication, and shipping. Without the remaining shelving, we cannot put away relocated items or finish shelving the collections.
Find out what's happening in Graftonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Additionally, COVID, weather, and other vendor issues have delayed various installations and trainings on the A/V System, new Xerox copiers, key cards and alarm/security camera, printer release software, and PC reservation software. Phones are not yet installed. While there are several punch list items we can work around, we cannot plan workflow, or learn and practice systems that have not yet been implemented, nor can we open to the public if it is not safe to do so.
Construction specialists from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) — our grant funders — visited this week to review the project. They were pleased with the design and had some feedback. MBLC advised remaining closed completely for two full weeks AFTER everything is set up so staff have time to acclimate – MBLC does not condone the partial opening we had intended and said we must either be fully open at 60 hours/week or closed, which puts us into September for reopening to the public. Dates will be announced as soon as possible. In the meantime, please continue to hold materials at home and use digital resources shared at www.graftonlibrary.org/digital.
Find out what's happening in Graftonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
We know how disappointing this is for the community, key stakeholders, and donors. Please know staff are doing everything in their power to be ready for opening day, we miss you, and thank you for your patience.
A ribbon cutting ceremony is still on schedule for 11:00 a.m. Friday, October 1. Further celebrations will take place next summer.
For more information, please contact Beth Gallaway, gallawayb@graftonlibrary.org or 508-839-4649.
This press release was produced by Grafton Public Library. The views expressed here are the author’s own.
