Watch: Grafton Library Demolition Makes Way For Expansion

GRAFTON, MA — Grafton's library renovation and expansion project is hitting the ground with demolition starting on Friday. The estimated $16.6 million project will transform the 1928 building into a modern 26,000 square-foot library.

In July 2017, the town was awarded a $7.4 million grant from the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) administered by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.

The town’s share of the project funding is about $9.2 million. A capital campaign has been formed to support the building project and has received pledges and donations in excess of a quarter of a million dollars.

The building project includes preserving the front of the library with an entrance on the Grafton Common. The upper level will include the historic main reading room, showcasing the original Palladian windows and woodwork, as well as meeting rooms, collections and services for adults. The lower level will house a youth services space and collections, including a children’s program room, a teen-tween program and gaming rooms, several tutoring rooms, and mechanical and electrical equipment rooms.

The expansion will provide updated spaces found in modern libraries including a large community meeting room, study rooms, tutoring spaces, teen and tween areas, a children program room, local history room, Friends of the Library book sale space, expanded areas for nonfiction and fiction collection and a patio.

The project is expected to be completed by late spring of 2021.