SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) – The City of Springfield has received a grant that will go towards its East Springfield Library Branch Expansion Project.
The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners awarded the $100,000 grant to help enhance the neighborhood learning center at 21 Osborne Terrace. Springfield also has committed $150,000 as a match.
The city plans to hire an Architect for the project and receive a construction grant once the design is approved. The ‘Planning and Design Phase’ will be completed by next spring, and construction is set to begin by 2027.
“Our East Springfield Library branch has been providing successful and popular library services for our community since 1932. The East Springfield Library Branch plays an important role as a community center for educational and cultural programs, as well as a social gathering for our students and the community. It is a hub for free access to information and technology, social and civic engagement and personal enrichment and lifelong learning. With this grant support from the MBLC, we are looking forward to enhancing this neighborhood learning center so that it can serve our community for another 100 years,” stated Mayor Sarno.
“We deeply appreciate this support from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Healey-Driscoll Administration, and our state legislators toward our neighborhood library branches which are an integral part of our community. I am proud of the fact that while other communities have consolidated their local library branches, my administration has worked hard with our local stakeholders and partnerships to not only renovate our neighborhood library branches, but to build new and expand them as well,” continued Sarno.
“I commend and thank Director Molly Fogarty and the Springfield City Library team on a successful MBLC grant application to help fund a renovation and expansion of our beloved East Springfield Branch Library. Our dedicated team, including HHS Commissioner Helen Caulton-Harris, current PBRM Director Tom Ashe and retired PBRM Director Patrick Sullivan, the Capital Assets and Construction team of Peter Garvey and My-Ron Hatchett, and our dedicated Library team of Director Molly Fogarty and Board Chair Stephen Cary, have worked closely with the MBLC to support our grant application to help fund this important project.” He continued, “I also want to thank Council President Attorney Michael Fenton, members of the East Springfield Neighborhood Council (ESNC) and ESNC President Kathy Brown for their many years of ongoing support and advocacy on behalf of this integral neighborhood and community resource, our East Springfield neighborhood library branch.”
Springfield City Library Director Molly Fogarty states, “We are all thrilled to know that we will be able to renovate, upgrade, improve and expand on the available space and facilities and provide 21st Century services and programs for the residents of East Springfield and for the City of Springfield. The East Springfield Branch Library has been providing library services to the residents of East Springfield since it opened in 1932 and continues to play an important role for neighborhood residents. This project will bring significant improvements to a much needed and used library that will serve as both a community center/anchor and information hub for thousands of people. This project will ensure that East Springfield residents are provided with equal access to technology, collections and programs and services. Our application wouldn’t have been successful without the support and collaboration of so many Library and City employees, elected and appointed officials, and neighborhood residents and business people. Thank you for all your support.”
City Council President/ City Councilor for Ward 2 / Attorney Michael Fenton states “This is huge news for our little library and the East Springfield Neighborhood. This library has been a place to read, learn, work, and congregate for generations. I spent many days there as a young child and it’s a real joy for me to see it continue to have a positive impact on our residents (both young and old). Expanding and improving this library will have a real impact on East Springfield, our residents, and all those who visit this treasured space. I’d like to thank all of the stakeholders who have worked so hard to make this grant award possible. Our neighborhood has been working on this project for over a decade and it would not have been possible without the support and tenacious efforts of the Mayor, the Springfield Library system, the East Springfield Neighborhood Council, and all of the neighbors who supported us, encouraged us, and kept us on the path towards this renovation along the way.”
Chair of the Springfield Library Commission Stephen N. Cary states, “The East Springfield Library reminds me of the children’s storybook tale ‘The Little Engine That Could’. Its smaller size has never reflected its magnanimous spirit, the high volume of patron visits, and the activity generated by the incredible programs its staff and neighborhood partners host at 21 Osborne Terrace. The Springfield Library Commission is extremely grateful to the MBLC for the approval of this grant. Fifteen years ago, Springfield needed to work with the MBLC for waivers of certification due to low hours of operation. Applause also goes to Mayor Sarno’s Administration for increasing funding for hours of operation. The Mayor’s support has elevated the Springfield City Library system to excel and achieve awards of grants such as this one today from the MBLC.”
Cary continued, “I’m not surprised the dynamic duo of Director Fogarty and Assistant Director Jean Canosa-Albano were successful securing this funding. The Library Commission thanks them for meeting, likely exceeding, the demands of this challenging grant cycle. Molly and Jean’s efforts, supported by the professional staff of the Springfield City Library system deserve to be celebrated. Springfield is lucky to have this Dream Team resulting in the expansion and renovation of this unique building. The gem at 21 Osborne Terrace enjoys a shining future indeed.”
East Springfield Neighborhood Council President Kathleen Brown stated, “The announcement of this funding for the design, renovation and construction of an addition to this East Springfield branch Library is remarkable news. It’s a great way to start 2025. This has been the dream that we’ve been working towards for so many years. It’s great to know that the East Springfield Library will have what it needs to provide great library resources for many years to come. Thank you to everyone who moved this project to this approval stage, especially Mayor Sarno for his vision and leadership, and commitment to supporting our libraries. Now let the next step begin!”
