Community building happens in a community building.
We are expanding our building to fit more community!
The grand opening took place on October 8, from 4-6pm. Thank you to all who came in support of this major community accomplishment! Click the link below to watch the FCAT recording:
RENDERING OF FRONT EXTERIOR OF BUILDING BY JOHNSON ROBERTS ARCHITECTS
CLICK IMAGE ABOVE FOR FLOOR PLANS OF FINAL INTERIOR DESIGN.
CLICK IMAGE ABOVE FOR PROJECT BROCHURE AND FUNDRAISING INFORMATION.
FUNDRAISING INFORMATION
THE CAPITAL CAMPAIGN:
Click HERE for more information about fundraising and how to support the library expansion project.
PROJECT HISTORY AND UPDATES:
August 2014: A $41,205 Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Planning and Design Grant was awarded to Tilton Library. A required $20,600 supplement was funded by Tilton Fund, Inc. Shortly after the award was announced, library trustees appointed a seven member Needs Assessment Ad Hoc Committee which interviewed and recommended an owner’s project manager and an architectural firm. The firm, Johnson Roberts, Associates, Inc. of Somerville has prepared an initial design using the approved and accepted library building program. This initial design and results of site studies were used to apply for a Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program Construction Grant Round in January 2017. At the July 13, 2017 meeting of the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Deerfield project was placed on the Waiting List, with a rank of #12 of 24. for a $3,944,338 provisional grant award, which would cover 50% of the project cost as estimated in 2017.
On July 7, 2022: After close to 10 years of hard work by many people, we got the opportunity to improve and expand our beloved library to be even better, with a one-time state library construction grant of $4 million dollars! Our heartfelt thanks to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) for joining us in this new vision for an expanded Tilton Library. Thank you to all who have helped us get to this point.
December 7, 2022: There was a special town meeting on Monday October 24, where the project passed by two-thirds majority. Then there was a special ballot election on December 6, where the project passed by a simple majority. Thank you, Deerfield!
August 2023: The Town of Deerfield signed a contract with the MBLC in order to accept the first of five payments of the grant and move forward with the project. The Building Committee was developed by the Trustees and appointed by the Selectboard. This committee – made up of members of various town boards and Deerfield residents – are working with the architect and project manger to make design decisions, and keep construction schedule and costs in line. They will make recommendations for the Library Trustees to approve. A REVISED SCHEMATIC DESIGN was approved (CLICK drawings above to see larger image).
July 2024: CONSTRUCTION IS HAPPENING! As a kickoff to the construction, a groundbreaking ceremony was held in May celebrate this momentous occasion. Very exciting! We will provide regular updates here as construction progresses. We are now open in our temporary location at 71 North Main Street at the former Congregational Church (enter in the back) for our normal hours. Here we will be able to provide most of what our patrons are used to: a portion of our collection and programs for all ages, as well as delivery of holds from other libraries.
February 2026: WE ARE OPEN IN OUR NEW BUILDING ON THE FIRST FLOOR!
PHASE ONE OPENING: Due to a delayed installation of the elevator, the Library Trustees voted for the library to only occupy and operate from the first floor in the renovated and expanded facilities, until the elevator has been installed and passes inspection. Therefore the library in this Phase One of opening will be accessible to all staff and patrons.
This phase includes: 1) a portion of the adult and teen collections, two meeting tables, two public computers, printer/copier/scanner, and three staff in the large first floor community room; 2) three public restrooms in the lobby; 3) a fully operational children’s room including a family restroom, gaming room, and sensory room; 4) a 27-car capacity parking lot with 2 accessible parking spots; and 5) access to public WiFi.
Once the elevator is complete in early 2026 the library will transfer operations taking place in the first floor large community room to the long-term adult and teen designated areas on the second floor. After that transition the library will be fully operational and open at Phase Two (final phase), and fully accessible according to ADA code standards. THAT IS EXPECTED IN SUMMER 2026.
October 2026: THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE NEW LIBRARY IS OPEN!
The grand opening will took place on October 8 and it was a day to remember!
WHAT IS COMING NEXT?
The final painting, roof, and lighting will be applied to our front canopy, allowing sheltered usage for people doing work, meeting with friends, or hosting an event.
Soon the library will see the cost savings from the solar array that was recently installed. A grant for LEED certification will cover the cost of that array.