The Library Trustees and I were pleased with the approval of the new library project at the March 8 Special Town Meeting. As always, we were glad for the opportunity to discuss details on the needs, plans, and financing. Jim Alexander from Finegold, Alexander Architects gave a very informative presentation on the development of the schematic plans.

We have participated in five public meetings on different aspects of the project since January 1 and, by my count, more than forty public meetings since January 2009. When the Finance Commission mailed their Special Town Meeting warrant book to every Westwood household at the end of February, people called, emailed, and visited the library to ask me questions about the project.

It is a challenge to reach each Westwood resident with the information necessary for them to form an opinion on the merits of the project. Between now and Tuesday, April 27, the date of the annual Town election, the Library Trustees and I will hold more public meetings with time for questions and comments. Please watch this space for the details.

Don’t forget you can contact me through this blog; by phone at 781.320.1041 or email: tviti@minlib.net

The Future of Public Libraries

When I talk about a new library for Westwood, I am frequently asked “What is the future of public libraries?” People are concerned that new technologies such as the Amazon Kindle are going to make libraries obsolete. This question really asks librarians to describe what the 21st century public library will look like.

There is no doubt that libraries and other institutions (i.e., newspapers) that rely on the printed word to communicate ideas and stories are in transition. The development of a digital version of the book that is portable and adds features (dictionary, type size options, etc.) which the printed page lacks appears here to stay. In addition, more information appears on Internet web pages and in on-line databases every day, and these may never appear in print.

Given all this, I am confident that public libraries will be just as well-used and as important in the decades to come. In the twenty-plus years that Westwood has been a member of the Minuteman Library Network, I have witnessed many examples of libraries utilizing technology for new and popular services. And even though we continue to expand our on-line services, like down-loadable audio books, more people come to the library each year.

In large part that’s because libraries are more than a collection of books or DVDs. The lasting strength of public libraries is the place we provide for the community to come together for information, cultural activities, and recreation. Whether you come for a tax form, to borrow a museum pass, or to take a yoga class, the public library provides you with opportunities to explore your interests and join others in doing so.

That’s why in planning for a new library we are putting so much emphasis on an efficient and adaptable user-friendly space that is attractive, comfortable, and convenient for everyone. The types of materials we offer will certainly expand in kind and change in the years to come, but the public library’s role in the community, to be a source of information no matter what the technology that delivers it, will be just as vital.

Colburn School and the Proposed New Library

To answer questions about the Colburn School and the proposed new library, here is some basic information.


The Colburn School, built in 1874, is a contributing building to a historic district, the Colburn School district, one of two in Westwood that are recognized by the Massachusetts Historical Commission (MHC).

The Colburn School is currently under the control of the Board of Selectmen. The building has been vacant since April 2005.

It is not possible to construct a new library on the site without moving the Colburn School.
In 2005, the Library was award a grant by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) for construction of a new library.

In 2007, the Board of Selectmen, the Library Trustees, and the Westwood Historical Commission (WHC) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with the MHC that allows the school to be moved in order to facilitate the construction of the proposed new main library.

The key parts of the MOA include mothballing the school(completed), creating a photographic record of the building (completed), finding a use for the school, keeping it within the historic district, and preserving as much of the historic character of the building as possible. There is no time limit on developing a use, nor does the MOA require that the Town find a municipal use for the school.

The MOA removes a potential obstacle to the Board of Library Trustees receiving $4 million in grants from the MBLC to construct the new library. The Town must vote to approve the library project by June 15, 2010 to receive the grant award.

Estimates for the rehabilitation of the Colburn School are $2+ million.

While there have been town discussions on the future of the Colburn, no consensus has been reached. Selling the school for business use is a possibility. No firm decision can be made until the new library project nears completion.

The Library Trustees purchased .6 acres of land from the owners of 646 High Street in 2006 to provide enough space for the new library and a relocated Colburn School. Prior to this a review of possible locations for the new library was undertaken; the current High Street site was deemed the most feasible.

The configuration of the recently purchased land provides a convenient spot to “store” the building during construction of the new library. Moving and related re-location costs for the Colburn School are currently estimated at $150,000. Part of this cost will be covered by the Library’s grant award.

Architectural plans for the new library include the option of locating the Colburn on the site of the current library. This plan has been endorsed by the Westwood Planning Board, and meets MHC’s current requirements.

A time-line for construction of the library set mid-2012 as the completion date.

The Board of Selectmen have said that they will review all options for the Colburn School contingent on approval of the new library project.

Important Dates

Important dates have been set for the proposed new library project. Please keep these meetings in mind if you would like to participate in the town decision concerning the library.

The Board of Selectmen will hold a meeting to discuss planning options for the Colburn School on Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 7:30pm, at the Little Theatre at the Westwood High School.

The Finance Commission will hold public meetings on the library question on Monday, February 1, and Monday, February 8 2010. Finegold, Alexander, the architectural firm for the project, will present the current plans.

The Westwood-Walpole League of Woman Voters will host a town-wide presentation on the new library project at the First Parish Meeting Hall on Sunday, February 7, 2010 at 2:00pm.

The Board of Library Trustees will host a presentation on the new main library on Tuesday, February 23, 2010, at the Main Library on High Street. Finegold, Alexander, the architectural firm for the project, will present the current plans.

Finally, the Special Town Meeting to consider the new main library will take place on Monday, March 8, 2010.

Building Plan Progress

The last few months have seen significant progress in finalizing plans for the new main library.  The Library Building Committee met five times to study schematic plans, select a mechanical system, and review cost estimates.  Meetings were attended by town residents, members of the Finance Commission, and members of the Pedestrian and Bike Safety Committee.  The nine member committee included representatives from the Westwood Permanent Building Committee and Historical Commission. Library Trustees and members of the architectural staff from Finegold, Alexander met with the Westwood Planning Board and the Zoning Board of Appeals.  Variances were granted by the ZBA for height and front set-back. These variances were supported by the Planning Board. Library planning activities were reviewed by the Finance Commission at several meetings this fall.  Topics discussed were fund raising, preliminary cost estimates, and the $4 million construction grant.  The design of the building has been completed, although all of us acknowledge that further refinements are needed to the building’s High Street front.  It has been a challenge to create a “public face” for the new library that blends with the historical district and still creates a strong presence as a public building.  Comments from the Gay and High Street neighborhoods, the Planning Board, and the Historical Commission
have been very helpful. Plans should be available on the Library’s web site and on display at the Library within weeks.

Do We Still Need a New Library?

A town resident recently sent me a copy of the Boston Globe article on Cushing Academy’s decision to have a “bookless’ library.  The writer questioned whether we shouldn’t rethink our request for a new library.  This is my reply:

“The Board of Library Trustees and I do not feel this particular school decision changes the need for a new public library in Westwood.  While it raises many interesting issues, these are the important points to consider: 

· The community’s need for public library services is substantially different than the need for library services in a private school with 450 students.

· School libraries provide resources that support the institution’s curriculum.

· The resources of public libraries are much broader in scope and are intended to serve the recreational and educational needs of its community.  The range of people that uses a public library is far greater and more varied in both age and need.

· It is certainly true that the printed book is in transition with possible alternatives on the horizon, but no real outcome yet.  The library already has books in these non-print audio formats: compact disk, MP3, audio-cassette (likely to be phased out), and soon remote (i.e. from your home) downloadable audio.

· In towns like Westwood, the public library serves as a community center, which often has little to do with library materials, print or otherwise.

· The library provides meeting space for community groups or study space for individuals; an Internet access point; a clearinghouse for community information, and a place for discussion on issues affecting the town and its residents.

· Our participation in the Minuteman Library Network will enable us to take advantage of the emerging technologies that will shape the future of information.  Because we have regionalized our underlying service and support systems, Westwood is uniquely positioned to utilize the new services and formats that will undoubtedly emerge.

· A free public library has great value to our way of life and system of government.  A private school is limited to a select group of people.

I do not know how successful Cushing Academy will be in their switch to a “bookless” library.  But I can promise you that those students who need a book will be coming to their local public library.  I would be happy to discuss this question with you at any time.

Tom Viti, Library Director”

To read the Boston Globe article regarding Cushing Academy’s decision to have a “bookless” library http://www.boston.com/news/local/massachusetts/articles/2009/09/04/a_library_without_the_books/

Timing of Town-wide Vote for New Library

The Library Trustees met with the Board of Selectmen on August 24 to continue discussions on the timing of a town-wide vote for the new library.  Initially, the Library needed a vote before the end of the year because of the state’s grant acceptance deadline, but the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has extended that date to June 15, 2010. The Trustees continue to be interested in a Special Town Meeting because they feel strongly that the library question needs consideration by a Town Meeting in advance of a vote at the polls.  If the proposed new library were placed on the warrant at the Annual Town Meeting, the vote at the polls would precede a community-wide discussion. For more information on the meeting and related issues please visit this link    http://www.dailynewstranscript.com/news/x1476163657/Westwood-library-job-going-to-Town-Meeting-next-year