Clapp for Community FAQs

Questions about the project:

Does Belchertown use its library?	What will the project cost? Who pays for it?	Will staffing and operating hours be increased?
Can Town funds be used for this project?	Why is the project cost so high?	What about operating costs?
Why should we renovate the existing building?	What will the impact be on the “average” taxpayer?	Why are we having a capital campaign?
Why can't we design a library that costs 4 million? Why can’t we build a cheaper library using just the state money and donations?

Questions about pledges and gifts:

Who is being asked to give?

Can I make my gift on-line?

Is my gift kept confidential?

Is my gift tax-deductible?

How will my gift be recognized?

Can I make a gift in honor or memory of others?

Can I make a pledge, and for how long?

What if I want to make a gift anonymously?

Does Belchertown use its library?

Yes! In spite of the limitations imposed by our present building, Belchertown uses its library a lot! Our 8,572 cardholders represent more than 60% of Belchertown’s residents ages 5 years and up. Even more participate in our programs. Below are some charts that compare Belchertown’s per capita circulation of library materials and level of program activities to those of libraries in other towns our size, libraries in Western Massachusetts, and libraries in the state as a whole. As you can see, our per capita circulation compares very favorably across the board. Our program activity surpasses that of other libraries by a wide margin. We anticipate that once our new library is in service, our usage will increase still further.

What will the project cost? Where will the money come from?

The project is expected to cost a total of $9.3 million. Its financing plan includes a state grant of $3.3 million, private contributions of $1.6 million, and Town funding of $4.4 million. Funding from all three of these sources will be required for the project to be able to go ahead.

Clapp Memorial Library is a privately-owned public library, not owned by the Town, so special arrangements are required for Town funds to be spent on this renovation and expansion project. The Library Trustees and the Board of Selectmen have agreed on these arrangements.

The tax impact of this project is expected to be less than $100 per year for a taxpayer with a home valued at $250,000. The impact will be smaller for those with lower-valued homes, and greater for those with higher-valued homes

The great weight of books makes libraries inherently expensive to build. In addition, our expansion is large because we haven’t kept pace with Town growth for 121 years. Now we have to make that up and also meet the future needs of a rapidly-growing population. On the basis of cost per square foot, however, our project is below the average for the libraries included in this round of state grants.

Why can’t we build a smaller library using just the state money and donations?”
Unfortunately, the state wouldn’t give us the money to use that way. The state grant is only available to support a project – specifically, the renovation and expansion project – which provides a library facility sufficient to meet our projected needs through the year 2020. A smaller library wouldn’t satisfy that requirement, so we’d have to replace the state money with Town funding – and then we’d have to look at expanding the library again in a few years.

Renovation is economically attractive. Because it involves no major reconfiguration of interior spaces, this renovation is a relatively inexpensive way to provide 9,930 square feet of space for the new library.
Tearing down the present building would result in the loss of a priceless asset with great historical and architectural significance. Belchertown residents, both long-timers and newcomers, have great regard for this building, and they tell us they want it preserved.
Our community also wants the Town Common to continue to be a vital center of activity in Belchertown. Building the new library in the present location will contribute to that vitality, but taking it elsewhere would have the opposite effect. Also, moving the library to another location would remove additional land from the Town’s tax rolls, and if the library were moved elsewhere, what would become of the present building? It would be a shame to see it deteriorate.

In a town with a high growth rate and many competing municipal needs, the Board of Trustees felt that it needed to make its best effort to secure private funds to help lower the impact on the property tax. If the fund raising goal is reached, the Town will only borrow funds to pay for about one half of the cost of a vastly improved library facility.

Yes. Increased staffing will be required for full operation of the new, larger facilities. However, we’re making our staffing plans carefully to minimize costs wherever possible, especially in the early years, and we’re prepared to phase into full operation (and the new staffing levels) over time as required to meet Town budgetary constraints. We also plan to expand our operating hours once the new facilities are available, but the speed at which we do so will depend on how rapidly the increased operating costs can be absorbed by the Town budget.

The Town pays about 90% of the library’s operating costs, with the balance coming from state and library sources. The bulk of the increased cost of operating the new library will also need to be borne by the Town. These costs will be included, along with other Town services, in the regular Town budgeting procedures.

We are seeking contributions from the Trustees, staff and volunteers of the library, from town residents and businesses, and from foundations that support education, culture and historic preservation.

Gifts to Clapp Memorial Library – and to the Clapp for Community Campaign – are tax deductible as allowed by law.

Yes! Pledges can be made covering periods up to five years. Payments can be made annually, semi-annually, quarterly or monthly, and reminders will be sent if requested. More

You can elect to remain anonymous by checking the blank provided for that purpose on the pledge card. Your name will then not be included in any public recognition. Even if you wish to remain anonymous, however, we suggest that for tax purposes you identify yourself and provide contact information so that we can provide you with the proper documentation for the IRS. More

All pledges and gifts will be kept confidential unless otherwise authorized by the donor. More

Yes. Many people choose to make their gifts as a way of permanently commemorating those they love or admire. The pledge card provides a means of doing so. Check out the Named Gifts opportunities that individuals, families or organizations might consider.