Marlborough Library Move On Hold Due To Coronavirus

MARLBOROUGH, MA — The Marlborough Public Library's move into the Walker Building — a necessary step before a planned $24 million renovation — is on hold for now due to uncertainty about local revenue related to the coronavirus pandemic.

The library was set to move temporarily from West Main Street to the Walker Building sometime this summer. In January 2019, the City Council unanimously approved borrowing $23.7 million in bonds to renovate the library. The city has also received a $10.1 million grant from the state Board of Library Commissioners that will go toward the renovation cost. The Marlborough Public Library Foundation is also trying to raise $2 million for the project.

On Monday, Library Director Margaret Cardello said that one factor delaying the project is the state budget. The state Legislature in late July approved a three-month $16.5 billion spending bill, but a traditional full fiscal 2021 budget is still in the works, pending possible further stimulus at the federal level. Towns and cities across Massachusetts still do not know how much state revenue sharing will either rise or fall in fiscal 2021.

Cardello said the city is working on construction plans for the library renovation so the project is "shovel ready" when the revenue picture clears. Marlborough has to start construction sometime in fiscal year 2022 — which starts on July 1, 2021 — to meet the requirements of the $10.1 million grant.

The Library Building Committee approved plans this summer for the renovation. The project calls for a 1960s-era addition to be torn down and replaced, adding about 16,000 square-feet of space to the library.

The library is still closed due to coronavirus, but patrons can still check out items using the contact-free pickup option.