SOUTH DEERFIELD — The Tilton Library is entering a new phase of its $8 million renovation plan as it will begin fundraising and raising awareness in anticipation of receiving a state grant next year.
The project includes renovation and expansion of existing rooms, improved accessibility and energy efficiency upgrades. The grant, which would cover up to half of the expenses, is funded by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC).
Tilton Library Director Candace Bradbury-Carlin said the library will begin preparing for a grant offer as early as next July because it has moved up to second on the state’s waiting list.
“We’ll be doing fundraising. We have a good amount of pledges put forth. We want to offset as much as we can for the town,” Bradbury-Carlin said. “From now until next May, until we get a knock on the door from MBLC.”
The timeline for the renovation is all dependent on when the grant offer is extended to the library. Bradbury-Carlin is hopeful the offer is given next July, but there is a chance it could be another year later. Once the library accepts the offer, it will have six months to secure the rest of the funding. After that, she said there is a five-year payment plan, but the construction should only take about a year.
About half of the estimated cost of $8 million — which may end up being higher due to building materials rising in price — will be covered by the MBLC grant. According to a slideshow posted by the library on Facebook, it has committed to raising at least $2 million for the project, which leaves up to $2 million to the town to cover.
Bradbury-Carlin said the library already has a “good amount of pledges put forth” for fundraising, but will be holding events, posting on social media and sending out newsletters to inform more people about the funding needs. She said the goal is to lower the price tag as much as possible for the town because there are so many projects needing attention around Deerfield.
“(The Selectboard) has be thoughtful of how to plan all those projects,” Bradbury-Carlin said. “There is competition from other projects and there might be a little having to spread the wealth.”
Tilton Library at 75 North Main St. has not seen a major renovation since the 1990s, when a wheelchair-accessible lift and additional children’s room space was added, according to Bradbury-Carlin. She said there was an update to the front steps for historical preservation purposes in 2011, too.
“All along this building has been really well taken care of and preserved,” she said.
A large part of the construction plan is environmental considerations because the building is old and heating and cooling the structure is expensive. Bradbury-Carlin said the grant application is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified and the library could be used as a public cooling or heating spot during extreme weather.
“The town has a big push for sustainability,” Bradbury-Carlin noted. “We’ll take every opportunity we’ll have to make it more environmentally friendly.”
Bradbury-Carlin said this project is a chance for the library to bolster its already-existing community services and to catch up with the town’s development.
“Libraries are evolving. The days of a small quiet building where you could get pretty much only books has changed,” Bradbury-Carlin said. “The library hasn’t been growing with the town.”
She said the library offers plenty of existing resources, but the lack of physical space can make it difficult for people to grab books.
“Technology, workshops, services, events — we offer it, but we’re busting at the seams,” Bradbury-Carlin said. “For every book that we buy, we have to get rid of a book.”
Bradbury-Carlin said the library’s staff is working to create informational packets with a “consistent and clear” message about the renovation project and to answer anticipated questions. The library’s slideshow with details about the project can be viewed at bit.ly/36nNjI7.
“Stay tuned. … The public are welcome to come here and ask questions,” Bradbury-Carlin said. “We’re going to have a busy year.”
Chris Larabee can be reached at clarabee@recorder.com or 413-930-4081.