Westborough Library Closes Temporary Location Ahead Of Homecoming

WESTBOROUGH, MA — The Westborough Public Library has closed its temporary Union Street location as staff prepares to return the collection to the library’s renovated longtime home.

The temporary library at 1500 Union St. closed Wednesday, after serving the community for more than a year. The library is expected to reopen at 55 West Main St. during the first week of November following extensive building repairs and interior renovations.

Temporary Storefront Became Community Library

Library Director Kate Coraccio reflected on the move in a letter to patrons, saying the former clothing store became more than a temporary location during the renovation.

“We transformed a former clothing store into a working public library and kept services running throughout a major renovation,” Coraccio wrote.

Thousands of people visited the temporary library, borrowed materials and attended programs for all ages, Coraccio said. Staff also adapted services to a space not designed as a library.

Coraccio thanked library staff and patrons, along with the Library Building Committee, Select Board, Board of Library Trustees, Westborough Public Library Foundation and Friends of the Westborough Public Library.

“Our staff adapted, problem-solved, packed and unpacked, and kept showing up for Westborough every day,” she wrote.

The Union Street building is expected to become an intergenerational community center housing the town’s Active-Living Senior Center and Recreation Center.

• Related: New Westborough Foundation To Support Future Community Center

Renovated Library To Offer Updated Spaces And Technology

The West Main Street project included roof, HVAC, plumbing, fire suppression and electrical upgrades, along with structural repairs and redesigned interior spaces.

Coraccio said patrons will recognize familiar parts of the building, but nearly every space has been reconsidered based on how the community uses the library. The renovated building will include updated furniture, study areas, technology, collections and other service improvements.

For the next several weeks, library staff will move materials back to West Main Street and prepare the renovated building for the public.

During the closure, Westborough library cardholders can use other C/W MARS member libraries. Patrons will also continue to have access to the library’s digital resources, including ebooks, audiobooks, magazines and videos.

“This chapter is finished,” Coraccio wrote. “The next one begins in November at 55 West Main Street.”

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