Waltham Public Library Secures $100K Grant

WALTHAM, MA — The Waltham Public Library is among a handful of recipients of a recent round of state grant funding, netting it $100,000 for upcoming projects.

At its January Board Meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) awarded $1.3 million in planning and design grants to 13 libraries through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP).

The a state-funded program works with local communities to build, renovate and expand public libraries. The grants are for municipalities with populations over 2,500 and fall into tiers based on square footage submitted in the MPLCP application: small, medium, and large.

The MPLCP awards grants in two phases: Planning and Design Phase and Construction Phase.

All the projects will move through the planning and design phase at the same time, regardless of status. At the culmination of this phase in late 2025 or early 2026, all projects will undergo an independent review of the MPLCP Level of Design.

Waltham received $100,000 and officials said the money will go toward a redesigned, rethought library space, allowing stakeholders to meet with architects and designers, and to gather public input.