Having submitted a grant application in January of 2017, in July 2022 WESTFORD received notice from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) that it would be awarded a provisional state-funded grant in the amount of $7,851,994.00 under the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP). This $7.8 million of matching funds and town costs were approved by Westford voters at the October 17, 2022 Special Town Meeting and on the November 8, 2022 local ballot. Schematic Design has concluded and undergone cost reconciliation and Design Development is proceeding in 2024 — the library’s historic facade on the Common will be unchanged, but the rear will be 21st century. The Westford Library has a strong history of gifts, donations, benefactors and grants dating back to its inception:

• 1797 – Social Library founded by 25 citizens
• 1859 – Social Library donated to the Town
• 1873 – Agricultural Library donated to the Town
• 1895 – Jonathan Varnum Fletcher donated 75% of the funds to build a new library on the Common
• 1963 – Basement Children’s Room funded by J. V. Fletcher’s great grand-daughter Marian F. Winnek
• 1969 – Renovation/addition funded by federal LSCA Title II grant
• 1979 – Bookmobile funded by federal LSCA Title I grant
• 1988 – Renovation/addition awarded Massachusetts Public Library Construction Project (MPLCP) grant award
• 2007-2012 – Library Beautification funded by the Friends of the J. V. Fletcher Library, Inc. and Capital funds
• 2017 – Westford wait listed for MPLCP grant award of almost $8 million
• 2022 July 7 – Provisional grant notification from MBLC of $7,851,994
• 2022 October 17 – Library Project approved at Special Town Meeting [2/3rds vote ensured passage]
• 2022 November 8 – Library Project approved at the local ballot [majority support ensured passage]
• 2023 January 9 – Deadline for Westford to accept grant – Grant formally accepted
• 2023 May – MBLC notice of escalation payment of $829,263
• 2024 April – Schematic Design concluded and Design Development proceeding
• 2025 January – Anticipated Bid Date

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