Book It: Melrose Public Library Will Be Renovated After Funding Approved

MELROSE, MA — The library is getting a major makeover.

The City Council on Monday night unanimously approved the city's bid to borrow more than $10 million to fund the balance of the $21 million project, setting up a complete overhaul of the Melrose Public Library.

The breakdown of the renovation goes like this: A $10.8 bond, an $8.2 million grant from the state and $2 million from the library's Board of Trustees.

The city had to commit by January to coming up with the funding to unlock the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners grant. A full-court press by Mayor Paul Brodeur's administration was enough to get the job done.

Related: Brodeur Rebuilds Defunct Committee Ahead Of Critical Library Vote

The only question remaining is where the library will be temporarily relocated during construction. The newly vacant Beebe School could be one possibility, though there has not been much public discussion about it.

Construction is set to begin next fall and take at least a year, maybe longer.

There's little question the library is in need of major repairs. The original parts of the library opened in its West Emerson location in 1904. An addition was built in 1963, and in 1990 a grant allowed for significant improvements.

Accessibility — or lack thereof — is a major concern. Narrow aisles, excessive leaking and no dedicated spaces for younger patrons all chip away at the equity, safety and effectiveness of the library.

Mike Carraggi can be reached at mike.carraggi@patch.com. Follow him on Twitter @PatchCarraggi and Instagram at Melrose Happening. Subscribe to Melrose Patch for free local news and alerts and like us on Facebook.