Westfield Athenaeum Library

Building Renovation

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In January 2005, the library was notified of the provisional award of a $20,000 Planning and Design grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), pending a $20,000 local matching requirement.

This requirement was met in July 2005, thanks to a $10,000 grant from the Berkshire Bank Foundation, funds from the City of Westfield and a gift from the Friends of the Westfield Athenaeum.

The grant will allow us to hire an architect to create plans and cost specifications for the future renovation and re-design of the interior of the library, in order to meet the needs of the Westfield community for the next 20 years.

A Facility Needs Committee, formed in August 2005, was given the charge of outlining the specific needs of the library and creating a written Building Program. The members of the committee are listed below, followed by the Planning and Design grant timeline.

Facility Needs Committee

Committee Members

  • Bob Brown, President,
    Board of Directors
  • Ted Carey
  • Cathy Cyr
  • Jim Hagan
  • Jim Shea
  • Lisa Sullivan
  • Brian Whiteway

Staff Committee Members

  • Chris Lindquist,
    Library Director
  • Kara Welch
  • Pat Wiggin
  • Nolan Lushington,
    Building Consultant
    Lushington & Associates

Planning and Design Grant Timeline

  • Deadline for raising $20,000 local match : July 13, 2005 (contact signed)
  • Form a Library Facility Needs Committee (or Building Committee):August 2005
  • Prepare a written building program (draft) with a 20-year horizon: Mar - Apr 2006
  • Submit a written building program to the MBLC for comment and review; must include:
    • Current community analysis, including demographics, location, governmental organization and community structure
    • Institutional analysis, including history, philosophy of service, staffing, library collections, finances, and history of previous planning efforts
    • Facility/space requirements for the next 20 years, including requirements and implications of new technologies and new information formats
    • Summarize area-by-area descriptions (use chart)
  • Designer selection process: Spring/Summer 2006
    • Adopt written procedures (may already be established with the City)
    • Develop the RFQ and contract (including evaluation criteria)
    • Advertise the contract in local newspapers and the Central Register
    • Evaluate applicants and select at least three finalists
    • Rank the finalists
    • Finalize the contract
    • Award and publicize the contract
  • Work with architect to develop feasibility study, schematic drawings and cost estimates: Summer / Fall 2006
    • Review feasibility study in relation to long range plan and Library BuildingProgram/li>
    • Gather members for a Construction Committee to oversee next phase of project
      • Selects project architect, who proceeds with design development and final cost estimates
      • Use cost estimates to determine amounts necessary for total project (including inflationary and contingency figures)
      • Notify Fundraising Committee of total dollar amount to be raised
  • Develop a fundraising strategy: Summer / Fall 2006
    • Form a Fundraising Committee
    • Seek both private and public sources of funding
    • Develop a draft fundraising plan with timeline and chart of responsibilities
    • Identify fundraising goals (use percentages of total costs, since actual costs are not known)
    • Apply for an MBLC Construction Grant (when funds become available)

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