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Clapp for Community 

June 3, 2010

New State Grant Round Offers Better Timing, Greater Funding

In planning how best to proceed with Clapp Memorial Library’s proposed renovation and expansion project, the library’s Trustees have decided to let the present State grant expire and apply for a replacement under a new round recently announced by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC). The new round offers a timetable which provides a better chance of successfully completing project funding, and a higher level of financial support.

The schedule for the new round calls for applications to be submitted in January, 2011, with award decisions to be made by the MBLC in June or July. Successful applicants will have a six-month period for completion of project funding. That means that if Clapp Memorial Library were awarded a grant under the new round and placed at the top of the waiting list for funding, the deadline for completion of funding would be about year-end 2011.

That timing meshes nicely with the Trustees’ outlook for seeking Town financing for the project. Following the rejection of Town funding at a Special Town Meeting held last November in the depths of the recession, the Trustees decided not to return with another request for funding until the economic and employment outlook had improved significantly. That level of recovery won’t occur until sometime late in 2011, at the earliest. In contrast, the present grant has a deadline of June 15, 2010 for completion of project funding, and the MBLC has indicated that extension of that deadline until late 2011 will not be possible. On that basis, the Trustees concluded that continuing with the present grant is not feasible, and decided to abandon the present grant and apply under the new round.

The feasibility of participating in the new round is a result of the slowdown in Belchertown’s growth rate. The new round will require a library design adequate to meet the town’s needs in the year 2030, rather than 2020, the basis for the present design. Ordinarily, the added population growth in that ten-year period would have required a complete redesign, a task which could not be completed in time to file the grant application in January. As a result of the slowdown, however, Belchertown’s estimated population in the year 2030 is very near the 19,000 figure used as the basis for the current design. Therefore, only minor modification of the design will be required, and that work can be completed in time.

The new round also provides a higher level of State support. Under the new provisions, the grant will cover about forty-five percent of the cost of the project, compared to the thirty to thirty-five percent provided by the present grant.

“The Trustees are delighted to have the opportunity to participate in the new MBLC grant round,” said Steve Lanphear, President of the Board. “It will solve a difficult timing problem for us, and also provide a higher level of State funding than we had under the present grant.”

 

February 5, 2010
Donors stand behind Library expansion effort...and new contributors continue to join the effort.  more

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Certain institutions are vital to the lifeblood of every community.  In our town, the Clapp Memorial Library, located in the very heart of Belchertown, has served as one of those institutions. It has provided materials and services for readers, information seekers, and life-long learners since it opened in 1887 - a bequest of John Francis Clapp. In doing so, it has served as a focal point for learning and cultural events for several generations.  We hope to carry on the legacy of preserving our heritage of the past and promise of the future.


A capital campaign – over 10 years in the making – is underway to renovate and expand our facilities, to address population growth that has burgeoned, the changing needs of today’s patrons and the inefficiencies of our historic library building.   The goal is to rejuvenate the Clapp Memorial Library to its original purpose: A Destination Place. THE place in Belchertown to find reliable resources for readers and information seekers of all ages; to experience learning and culture; and to enjoy “community” at its finest.  

Why should we support the renovation and expansion of the Clapp Memorial Library?

10.  The timing is critical.  Proceeding now will enable us to take advantage of a temporarily favorable construction cost environment produced by the current economic downturn.  Furthermore, if we don’t accept the presently-available State funds, it will be about ten years before we can revive the project.  

9.  The State wants to give us money.  We have received a state grant for $3.3 million, contingent upon our arranging for the balance of the required funds. 

8.   Libraries are more important than ever, especially in times of economic difficulty.  Statistics show that library usage has increased, not decreased, since the start of the computer age. 

7.  This project will continue the legacy of John Clapp by providing free and equal access for all citizens of Belchertown to  be informed, literate, educated and culturally enriched. 

6.  We can retain and improve our historic treasure Much-needed safety, comfort, accessibility  and efficiency measures will preserve and upgrade the value of the existing library building. 

5.  It will improve property values. The presence of an adequate library makes Belchertown attractive for both new residents and new businesses. 

4. Belchertown uses its library.  Over 60% of town residents are library cardholders, and our circulation rates and program participation are very high. 

3. All other public buildings have been upgraded.  Now, after 121 years, it’s time to bring the library to the level we need.  

2. The library serves everyone in Town.  It has something for all people of all ages, interests, and circumstances. 

1.  It’s the right thing to do.  This is a “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunity for us to make a major contribution to keeping Belchertown the kind of place we want to live.

Please join with us to help make the Clapp Memorial Library all that our community needs and deserves.

   
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