MARLBOROUGH – Six months after moving back to Main Street, the Marlborough Public Library continues to build.
According to Director Sara Belisle, the library has attracted more visitors, more library cards have been issued and more programs have been offered.
“It’s been pretty great, overwhelmingly positive,” said Belisle. “We’ve had a big wave of new visitors; we’ve had an average of 350 residents per month come to the library.”
She added that during February school vacation, the library welcomed 1,000 visitors in one day.
Library staffing will be bolstered now that the city has approved two new positions – head of adult services and technology, and programming and outreach librarian – and the pay for pages has been raised to $15 per hour.
What’s next, according to Belisle, is a strategic plan. Surveys will be going out, in print and online, this spring.
Building update
Most of the projects in and around the library have been completed. The local history room opened to the public on March 5; the current exhibit, from the Marlborough Historical Society, focuses on the city’s role in the shoe industry.
The community room has also opened; it has already hosted several events, including a program on the first integrated basketball team in the city.
Belisle said the parking lot on Witherbee Street will be completed soon. There remains some exterior work, including the grass, installing a bench, reinstalling some sculptures and reburying a time capsule.
Library Foundation
The Marlborough Library Foundation recently presented a check for $350,000 to the City Council toward the library’s renovation project.
According to foundation President Deborah Jakubowski-Russ, this was the fourth check presented to the city.
“We’re close to our $2 million goal,” she said.
The foundation has raised $1.8 million; further funds will go toward library programming.
“The [fundraising] team did an amazing job,” she said. “The reception of the community for the library has been amazing.”
Rebuilding the Friends
After going dormant due to construction and the COVID-19 pandemic, the Friends of the Library is rebuilding.
The Friends’ first meeting was scheduled for Wednesday, March 20, at 6:30 p.m.
“We’ll be open to lots of new ideas,” said Mary Ellen Klusacek, the Friends’ treasurer who is reinvigorating the group with Alison Gontarz, who is the Friends’ president.
The top goal – bring back the book sale.
Once that gets underway, proceeds will go toward library programming.
“There’s always room for more programming,” said Gontarz.
For information on programs and events, visit www.marlborough-ma.gov/library-0.
