A. Under contract. On April 28, 2025, Town Manager Paul Bockelman announced that the General Contractor has signed the construction contract and the MBLC has approved the project moving forward. The project remains within the bond cap approved by Amherst Town Council, including 8% funds for contingencies. Work is scheduled to get underway in July 2025.
Construction is expected to take approximately 18 months, with the Library reopening in early 2027. The Library will at 101 University Drive while construction takes place. In fact, remaining open is required by the MBLC. The cost of moving and temporary quarters is built into the project budget.
A. In the 1927 structure, architects explored multiple options to find the most cost-effective way to renovate while preserving the historic fabric of the building. Plans keep the vast majority of the interior woodwork intact, not disturbing the asbestos in the plaster behind.
For the new addition, Cross laminate timber (CLT) has been removed from plans, creating significant savings. The interior of the new addition will still have ample light and glass, less wood and more metal. In the new addition, the “roof monitor” over the new central stairwell has been removed. (For most of us, a roof monitor is a skylight. To architects, there’s a difference.) Vertical windows at the roofline and ample windows in the entire new addition will supply natural light. Outside, this creates more room for adding solar panels in the future. (Solar panels were not part of this year’s construction plans.)
Outside, landscaping plans have been scaled back significantly, saving costs while preserving possibilities for the future. The children’s outdoor space will still be defined by a hedge, but whimsical patio designs are shelved for now. Benches, tables and chairs are removed from the patio areas, with hopes to add them in the future. All shade trees remain as planned and the rear rain garden will use no mow grasses rather than multiple types of plants.
No. The design keeps the nearly 100-year-old building as the primary focus of the project, maintaining the original Amity Street entry and appearance. The new addition is located behind and no higher than the historic building utilizing materials to complement the original design. Inside, plans retain the main entryway and stairwell, fireplaces, of the original woodwork, and other original detail throughout the building. Interior spaces will be revamped to provide reading and meeting rooms, including spaces tclosed to the public
Find more details about preservation measures in this article.
COMPLETE. On March 20, 2025, the Director of the MA Historical Commission signed the necessary historic preservation Memorandum of Agreement (MOA). The MOA includes large scale commitments such as protections for the Strong House property, design details including protecting and restoring the original decorative pineapple above the front door, guidelines for archival documentation, and stipulations requiring review by the Amherst Historical Commission if plans were to change further. You can find the executed MOA on the Town’s Section 106 Historic Preservation web page.
The Jones Library building needs significant repairs and upgrades. Major issues include:
$15.8 million. This is the amount approved by Town Council in April 2021 and in December 2023 as well as by 65% of voters in the November 2021 referendum. This amount has not changed and will not change.
YES. The original project cost was estimated at $36.3 million; because of delays and COVID-related cost spikes, the total estimate jumped to $46.1 million (after $2.2 million in identified project cuts), which is the approved borrowing limit for the project. After the April 2024 construction bid exceeded that cost by 18%, Library and Town leaders identified additional cost saving measures in order to proceed with the project. The successful re-bid stays within the approved project cost limit.
On April 28, 2025, Town Manager Paul Bockelman announced that the General Contractor signed the construction contract and the MBLC approved the project moving forward. The project remains within the bond cap approved by Amherst Town Council, including 8% funds for contingencies.
In addition to the Town’s share of $15.8 million, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) has committed $15.6 million. To raise the remaining funds to cover construction costs and fundraising expenses, we have mounted a robust Capital Campaign seeking additional government grants as well as gifts from institutional and individual donors.
Prior to construction beginning, the Capital Campaign has secured commitments for 50% of the $15.8 million remaining funds needed. Combined with Town bond funding and the MBLC grant, funds secured represent more than 85% of the project cost. Please see the most recent chart of funds raised, which is updated regularly.
Yes we can. Our Library’s historic significance, the broad range of community programs and services offered, and the climate-friendly impact of the renovated building have already attracted broad financial support from federal and state governments, foundations and corporations, as well as hundreds of community members.
No. The Trustees & Town have signed a legally binding Memorandum of Agreement stating that the Trustees (not the Town) are responsible for costs beyond the Town & MBLC shares. Even though the MBLC requires the Town to authorize borrowing for the full amount of the project, the Trustees - also an elected Town board - have committed to cover costs through fundraising, borrowing, or the endowment.
No. MBLC funds were awarded for the renovation and expansion project only. The MBLC has confirmed that funds cannot be used for a smaller version of the project or just for repairs. A new application would result in a delay of at least 10-20 years with no guarantee that we would be accepted, significantly increasing the cost yet again.
No. Cutting the size of the building would forfeit MA Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) funds entirely and jeopardize federal and private funding committed for specific programmatic features of the renovation and expansion. In other words, making the project smaller would require going back to square one.
No. An override vote is not needed for the Library. Careful financial planning by our Town has ensured that the $15.8M Town share of the cost of the Library Building Project and associated borrowing costs are covered by projected revenues.
No. The Jones Library Trustees have agreed to remit to the Town funds raised through the Capital Campaign by the time the MBLC makes its last payment, once construction is complete. Given we have secured over 85% of projected costs, we remain confident we can reach our fundraising goals in this time period. Any shortfall can be made up by temporary borrowing from the Library’s endowment (a common strategy) or from external sources available to nonprofits at subsidized interest rates.
Currently, the endowment contributes only approximately 11% of the Library's budget. Using a fraction of the endowment temporarily will not have a significant impact on the Library's operations. The Trustees have committed to replacing any endowment funds used through ongoing fundraising. The Trustees are responsibly managing the endowment to serve the Library's mission.
No. The original capital campaign goal was to raise $6.6 million to accompany MBLC and Town funds by the time construction was complete. In the face of cost spikes, the capital campaign commitment increased 2.5x o $15.8 million. We have secured over 50% of this goal, including additional state funds, a federal grant, and community gifts of all sizes, all before the project was certain. Now that the project is moving forward and we have secured 50% of the capital campaign goal, we are launching a robust public campaign to raise the remaining funds.
Yes. Detailed professional estimates commissioned by the Library Trustees in 2020 concluded that the repairs required simply to keep the Library operational would cost the same amount ($14-16 million in 2020 dollars) as the Town’s commitment to the project ($15.8 million). When Town staff updated the estimates to account for recent inflation, those repairs would cost $20-22.4 million in 2025 dollars, plus $500,000-$1,000,000 to create a plan. These estimates do not include asbestos abatement, the extent of which was not known when repair estimates were made. Repair expenses would be covered solely by the Town, thus not be available for other Town projects. Requiring a smaller financial commitment from the Town, the Project repairs the building and accomplishes a host of other objectives.
The Jones Library Building Project preserves our historic building, creates the flexible space needed to meet future demands, and provides a reinvigorated anchor for downtown and regional revitalization.
Now more than ever, libraries are essential to the strength of our communities. Public libraries are recognized as the most democratic of institutions. In a time of increased isolation and divisiveness, investing in our public infrastructure is even more important. More than a place to borrow books, libraries have become vital community centers. Libraries offer a common space where people meet for cultural and educational events, where job seekers come for help, where kids do research and their homework, where parents introduce children to the world of stories, and where newcomers learn English as an additional language. Contrary to popular opinion, technology has increased library use as those without computers depend upon their local library to go online.
The Jones Library is a key component of our downtown economy. As these numbers from recently renovated and expanded libraries demonstrate, new buildings substantially increase program attendance, providing pedestrian traffic needed to revitalize downtown Amherst businesses.
Program Attendance Increase comparing pre-construction to FY24 (source MBLC)
33% increase Greenfield Public Library
53% increase Holyoke Public Library
131% increase Goodwin (Hadley) Public Library
194% increase South Hadley Public Library
There is simply not enough square footage in the building to accommodate program demands. With almost 3,000 visitors every week, the Library is among our Town’s most used buildings. 5,000 adults and 5,700 children and teens attended programs. Meeting rooms were used 2,400 times (not counting staff use.) In FY24, Jones Library circulation was 24th in the Commonwealth and the highest in Western MA. Our programs are booming but are constrained by the competition for available space. Compliance with accessibility codes also requires more space than is available. [Statistics from MBLC FY24 reports]
There is no magic number or residential population calculation to establish the size of a library; instead, the MBLC determines appropriate building size by the community’s use of the building. A detailed space inventory originally identified the need to expand from 47,000 square feet to 110,000 square feet. However, to fit on the existing property, plans were streamlined to 63,000 square feet. The MBLC awarded funds based on the 63,000 square foot floor plans to meet the programmatic needs of our community for decades to come.
There is no magic number or residential population calculation to establish the size of a library; instead, the MBLC determines appropriate building size by the community’s use of the building. A detailed inventory of required space originally identified the need to expand from 47,000 square feet to 110,000 square feet. Hoes to come.
Many! The Jones Library Building Project:
Additional information is available on each aspect of the Project. Please ask for details.
Yes. The current building prevents our Town from reaching its climate action goals. The new building will be solar ready and net-zero ready (net zero with the purchase of renewable energy) and one of the most climate-friendly buildings in Town.
Value engineering changes approved in June 2024 eliminated the use of cross laminate timber (CLT), reducing but not eliminating the carbon use benefit of the project. Even with changes, the operating efficiencies gained through the new addition allow the entire building to be more climate friendly and will:
• eliminate the use of fossil fuels, resulting in an 8% cut in utility costs;
• reduce the total lifetime carbon emissions by 38%; and
• reduce energy use intensity* by 65%.
[*EUI measures the energy used per square foot in a building, as kBtu/sq ft/yr.]
Find more details about sustainability measures in this article.
No. Three Whole Building Life Cycle Analyses conducted in 2021, 2023, and 2024, concluded that even with the carbon emission created by the demolition of the 1993 addition, and from the new steel and concrete construction, the renovation and expansion is the greenest option and the most cost-effective way to create a greener building. In addition to eliminating the use of fossil fuels, we have chosen the most environmentally and cost-effective materials, and are reusing as many materials as possible, to ensure the embodied emissions of the new construction are as low as possible within our budget.
Find more details about sustainability measures in this article.
No. Starting in July, the Library will operate out of a temporary location at 101 University Drive, next door to the Post Office, while construction takes place. In fact, remaining open is required by the MBLC. The cost of moving and temporary quarters is built into the project budget.
Library staff will post updates on the library website as details take shape. https://www.joneslibrary.org/buildingupdates
Yes. The Woodbury Room will be expanded but will retain the names of generous donors who funded its renovation. The Burnett Gallery will be more visible and accessible than in its present location. Both will be part of the garden-level Humanities Center.
All components of the Humanities Center are existing parts of the renovation and expansion plans, including Special Collections storage and exhibit areas, visible space for our Burnett Art Gallery, and additional, flexible space for internal and community-based programming, including after-hours access. This garden level space will provide a permanent, public and visible home for the Civil War Tablets. A rare example of inclusion, the names of Native American, European American and African American people who served in the Union Army are engraved in the marble tablets.
The Humanities Center was awarded the largest of 24 NEH Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants given nationwide in 2022-2023. Although the Trump administration has withdrawn this grant, project plans remain intact.
We did! In November 2021, 65% of voters approved our Town Council’s decision to authorize funds to renovate and expand the Jones Library. However, the MBLC requires our Town to authorize total allowable costs for the project, not simply the Town’s share. In December 2023, the Town Council approved borrowing for the estimated total cost. In April 2024, the construction bid exceeded this cost cap. Successfully re-bid in Fall 2024, construction will begin in June 2025.
Many things! Contribute money. Help us fundraise. Host a gathering to introduce us to others who need to learn about the project. Respond to rumors with facts. Use your time and skills to volunteer with us. Become an ambassador for the Jones Library Capital Campaign and help us build together.
The Friends of the Jones Libraries are asking everyone who is able to join in this historic effort to revitalize one of the most important components of Amherst’s civic infrastructure.
Contact us at info@joneslibrarycapitalcampaign.org or call 413-825-3866.
Template Version 1.0 | Image Licensing | Made By Deni Bozo