Library News
October’s Note From the Director
October is upon us; can you believe it? This month marks my first year as Director here at Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library. It has been a whirlwind of the best kind getting to know the community and learning about the library.
When I arrived last fall, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners had announced a new round of grant funding available to public libraries as part of the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program. Manchester Library had submitted a letter of intent to apply for the grant. As I jumped into public forums and focus groups to learn what the community wanted and needed in a newly renovated library space, I learned a lot about the history of this beautiful, historic building and its import to the people of Manchester. I also quickly experienced some of its limits while trying to provide first-rate, inclusive library services in the building, mainly due to lack of space and limited accessibility.
With the support of the community, we were able to apply for the grant which would give us the opportunity to plan and design for a renovation/expansion of the library, and we were on track to hear the results of the application this month. Unfortunately, we will need to wait a bit longer for news on which lucky libraries will win the grants. Applicant libraries recently received news that receipt of grant funds is contingent upon the grantee being able to certify that it will comply with the Massachusetts General Laws, including G.L. c. 40A, § 3A, the MBTA Communities Act. Since communities have until December 31st to adopt a zoning ordinance or by-law that complies with the law, awards will be announced after the compliance deadline. Manchester will be voting on the measure at the November special Town Meeting, and the MPLCP grants are just one of many grants that could be affected by the outcome of the vote. So, it looks like we will have to wait a bit longer to see if we can take the next step towards the library that we dream of, one that would preserve the unique, historic library while providing a welcoming, accessible space to provide cutting edge library services. In the meantime, stop by this month and see what the library can offer you—we’ve got something for everyone, and I can’t wait to see what next year brings!
– Cynthia Gemmell