State OKs $5 Million for Library Project

The state has awarded the more than $5 million for its expansion project.

The news allows the library to move forward with a project that will quadruple the size of the public library.

Grafton voters have so far expressed support for the Grafton Board of Library Trustees to move forward with the project, although no dollar amount has yet to be approved.

The project cost has been estimated at about $11 million. Trustees had said the project would not move forward without state funding for almost half the cost.

The total amount approved by the state for Grafton is $5,080,350.

Grafton was one of eight libraries across the state to receive funding Thursday, July 14 from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The board met at the Northborough Public Library.

Only one other library, West Springfield, received a higher award, with more than $6 million in funding.

Voters at the spring Town Meeting were presented with designs and information on a library that would more than quadruple the current size. The current building is 7,000 square feet; the new proposal would bring the size to 29,000 square feet.

The new library would provide services for all ages and interest levels, said Stuart Roberts of the architectural firm of Johnson Roberts Architects.

He said the new building would have space for studying, meeting and computer work, with an adult services area that would serve as "the living room for the town.''

Some voters expressed concerns at the meeting about the scope and expense of the project. But the vote to allow the trustees to seek state funds for the expansion passed by a large margin.