We have progress to report on the New Millis Public Library Building Project!

 

First of all, the contract for our grant from the State has been signed (photo below).  This means that we will be receiving our first check from the state for 30% of the $2,789,569 grant award in the next few weeks.  And secondly, the Town has begun the search for an Owner's Project Manager (OPM).  Following the approval of the Library Construction Project at Town Meeting on June 14, 2010, one of the first requirements is that the Town must engage the services of an Owner's Project Manager.  This is a state-mandated requirement on all building projects that are estimated to cost $1.5 million or more.  The Owner's Project Manager represents the interests of the Town and is the first person to be hired.  Specifications have gone out seeking qualifications from interested candidates with submissions due early in August.

 

The OPM will assist the Permanent Building Committee to define the specifications for an architect, the next step in the process, and will assist in the overall management of the project.  We expect that the OPM selection process will conclude in August and that selection of an architect will conclude in November.  With an architect chosen, the design phase of the building process will begin.

 

To prepare for the design phase, the Library Trustees and the Library Director are in the process of visiting other comparable libraries in the area.  These visits will help to refine the requirements for the New Millis Library.  They also help us to learn about things that work well and things that do not work well.  Our goal is to have a well-equipped library with separate areas that will include a large community room for programs, quiet study areas, a climate-controlled room for local history, a dedicated space for young adults, and comfortable seating areas for all.

 

In addition, as we progress further, there will be a number of committees formed with specific tasks relating to the building project.  We will be looking for community involvement and volunteers for these committees.  Watch for news of ways that you can participate in this process as a volunteer.

 

For more information, send an e-mail to trustees@minlib.org.  Your feedback is important to us! 

On Monday evening, June 14, 2010, at just a little past midnight, Millis voters voted overwhelmingly to approve the debt exclusion for the library construction project.  With a vote of 663 to 152, Millis Voters approved the Construction Project for a New Millis Library!

 

The Trustees and Friends of the Millis Library and all of the Library staff thank you all for your input and your consideration of this issue.

 

We are now moving forward with the next steps in the process, including signing a contract with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.  The Permanent Building Committee and the Trustees will be working together as this new library takes shape.  Please feel free to contact library staff with any questions you may have.

 

Sincerely,

 

Tricia Perry, Director

What is planned for the proposed new library building?
The plan is for the proposed library to be a one-story 17,800 sq. ft. building constructed on a newsite at the corner of Exchange and Main Streets (Rte 109). The building would accommodate growing collections for children, teens, and adults as well as increased public space with comfortable seating, a larger children's area for programs and activities, a gathering space for teens, quiet study areas, a climate controlled local history room for housing the town's historic documents, expanded and technically updated computer space and a large meeting room for public and civic functions. The building would also be fully handicap accessible.


Why do we need a new library?
The current 5,400 sq. ft. library building is inadequate in both size and condition to effectively serve the community.In 1967, when the library was built, patrons used libraries primarily for checking out books. Today, with the population up nearly 50%, patrons seek not only books but also DVDs, CDs, recorded books, computers, a wireless network, and access to the Minuteman Library Network. The lack of space severely limits the size of our collections as well as the number and types of programs and meetings that we can hold. In 2009, while children's program attendance exceeded 3,200 children many more could not be accommodated because of space constraints andoccupancy restrictions. Similarly, while circulation reached over 102,000 items,the figure would likely be much higher if the size of our collections was larger and the number of residents using more modern neighboring libraries were reduced.

At 43 years old, the building has many expensive repair and maintenance problems, including serious HVAC and roofing issues. One town official labeled it 'a money pit' and even if the roof and systems are repaired, the issue of inadequate and non-handicap accessible space remains with all of its inherent problems.


What is the cost of the proposed library?
The total cost of the library is estimated at $7.7M.with the cost to the Town of Millis approximately $5 Million if voters accept a State grant of $2,789,569.

What would the State grant do for the town?
The State grant lays the ground work for the Town's Master Plan which calls for locating the new Police Station at the site of the present library,rehabbing the Police Station for the Fire Department and constructing the library at the new site of Exchange and Main Streets. In 2005, the Trustees of the Library submitted an application for a construction grant to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). The grant outlined the plans for a new structure that would meet the needs of Millis for at least 20 years. The total budget for the project includes acquisition ofthe property for the new building site, completion of the building, including interior finishing and furnishings, demolition of the old library building and preparation of the lot for the Police Station.

What does accepting the State grant involve?

Acceptance of the grant is a two-part process: A majority of registered voters must approve the library ballot question at the May 11th election and, if it passes, then two-thirds of Town Meeting members must approve the library warrant article on June 14th. If the issue is defeated on the May ballot, then the grant is lost and there is no Town Meeting vote. There will not be another opportunity to vote on this grant since the deadline for acceptance is June 15, 2010.


What will the average homeowner pay for this project?
The Town's portion of the cost ($5M) will be financed over 20 years as debt exclusion. Using an average Millis home valuation of $365,000, the first year's tax impact will be approximately $154 per household (42 cents per day),decreasing annually over the 20-year finance period to $89 in the last year.


Why do we have to do this now?
The State grant money ($2,789.569) goes away after June 15 and there is no guarantee about one in the near future. The current construction environment is favorable for a competitive bidding processand lower costs. Continuing to pour more money into a deteriorating undersized building with failing systems is not a good return on the town's investment. The debt for the Clyde Brown School ended in 2009 so taking on the Library should have little impact for the average taxpayer.


What other options were considered?
The Library Trustees, with assistance from the Permanent Building Committee and the Finance Committee, examined options of constructing a smaller building as well as adding on to the existing building. In both cases, the Town would not be able to use the $2,789,569 State grant. As a result, a 12,000 sq.ft. building was estimated to cost the Town over $1M more than the proposed 17,800 sq ft. building. To add to the existing building would require significant expense to deal with failing HVAC and other systems, extensive roof repairs, design issues, hazardous materials remediation, and ADA compliance.


Will the new building mean additional staff and operating expenses?
No significant increases are anticipated largely because the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has given approval for it to be a one-story building. With everything on one floor means it can be staffed with existing personnel. The new building, while larger, will be much more energy efficient than the old building and, most importantly, have none of the hefty repair costs.


We have internet access at home so why do we need a new library?
While most Millis families may have computers with Internet access a recent study by the School Department indicated that about 20% did not. The library has 7 public computers that are extensively used, as is the wireless access for patrons who use their own laptops. Rather than replace the library, computers have provided another area for the library to provide service. The library staff can be an invaluable resource to guide patrons on Internet research or direct them to other information sources.

 

School and public libraries have different missions and responsibilities. The public library provides a wide range of services and materials designed to enrich the lives of all community members, regardless of age--including senior citizens, parents with infants and toddlers, and other adults who may be uncomfortable or unwelcome in the school setting. A public library is open evenings, weekends and summers.

 

The school library functions as the resource center for the school. The materials in the school library support the school's curriculum and are selected at the appropriate reading level of the students in the school. School libraries are typically open only when classes are in session, and usually provide access only to school students, staff and parents.

 

We don't anticipate that happening. If anything, we expect the $5 Million figure to be on the high side for at least 2 reasons: (1) the State automatically increased the original construction grant money by 15% for inflation and (2) the Permanent Building Committee included a 15% contingency factor in their total cost estimate. We feel these combined factors should provide an ample cushion for keeping the library project within budget. The Permanent Building Committee, which has experience in managing the construction and renovation projects of the Clyde Brown School, the High School and the Veterans Memorial Building, has a record of always coming in under budget.