http://www.townonline.com/ashland/news/local_regional/ash_newatlibrarygroundbreak04292004.htm

Town officials break ground for $5M library

By David McLaughlin / Staff Writer
Thursday, April 29, 2004

Almost 10 years after it was first conceived by library officials, Ashland broke ground on its new $5 million library this week.

Huddled under umbrellas Monday afternoon in front of the building, residents and library workers marked the official start of construction, which is scheduled to last 14 months. During construction, the library will be located at the temporary Town Hall on Chestnut Street.

"We're here to begin actual construction of a facility that will serve the people of Ashland for many more years," said Ed Maguire, chairman of the Library Building Committee.

The first mention of the library project, which will quadruple the size of the current building, was by the library's Board of Trustees 10 years ago, Maguire said. He credited the town's voters with supporting that vision at Town Meeting and at the ballot box.

"They wanted it," said Patricia Karam, a library trustee and a member of the its fund-raising committee.

Ed Bertorelli, from the state Board of Library Commissioners, also attended the groundbreaking Forty percent of the library expansion project is being paid for with state money. Bertorelli said the groundbreakings are the second best day for library projects, with the best day being the dedication.

He reminded the 50 or so people at the ceremony that many people throughout the world do not have free access to information.

"Please support the library, and thank you, Ashland, for making this day possible," he said.

While construction moves ahead, library officials are working to raise money to furnish the new building. They have a goal of collecting $500,000, and those in charge of the effort say they have already reached the $100,000 mark.

"It's a great start. We have terrific momentum going. People love the library," said Janet Eames, a member of the fund-raising committee.

Even the town's elementary students have chipped in what they can. At the Warren School, students dropped their change into a plastic collection jug during March as part of the school's "be kind to others" theme. The students raised $763.55 for the library.

Sophia Benson, a fourth-grader at the Mindess School, also donated $93.26 in loose change from her house to the committee. Benson attended a reception Monday after the groundbreaking.

"The library is my favorite place in town. I like reading and there's lot and lots of books," she said.

(David McLaughlin can be reached at 508-626-4338 or at dmclaugh@cnc.com)