Library Building Project FAQs & Feedback

The Library will be a new building. The 2016 feasibility study concluded that the current building is a poor candidate for renovation, as required repairs and updates would be extremely costly and would reduce usable space, yet fail to provide appropriate space for both current and future use.

The Library Project schematic designs, available at belmontlibraryproject.com, were derived from the feasibility study, input from the community in various formats: public forums, online surveys, etc., and the Library Building Committee’s work since 2017. The design for the new building is being finalized now during the Design Development phase of the project. The latest design updates will always be linked at the top of the project page. Guiding principles for the design include the use of the library as a community space, creation of spaces that are accessible and open to all, flexible spaces that serve multiple purposes, an abundance of natural light, a highly sustainable building envelope and building systems, a building site that’s integrated with the landscape and that takes advantage of solar energy, and maximum cost efficiency.

The new Library will be built on the same site as the current library. Concord Avenue is undergoing an exciting rejuvenation with the new Underwood Pool, the Armenian Studies and Research Center, the intergenerational path, the new Belmont Middle and High School, and possibly a new skating rink. Keeping Belmont’s library in its current, easily accessible space will add to the incredible education/recreation corridor of Concord Avenue.

The current Belmont Public Library building is approximately 29,500 sf. As we wrap up the Design Development phase of the new Library project, the new building size is planned at 40,460 sf. This increase in size will be accomplished on the same site as the current building. The size of the building is based on space and programmatic needs detailed in the feasibility study report, as well as subsequent studies that outline the space requirements necessary for the building to be “right sized” to adequately house resources and to support programming. To view the 2016 feasibility study, visit www.belmontlibraryproject.com.

Specifics of the new Library design include:

• A two-story building with a brick and glass facade of approximately 40,460 sf
• Ground-level entry from Concord Avenue
• Sustainable, energy-efficient design, including rooftop PV, daylighting, and a highly insulated building envelope
• Main area with views through the site, circulation desk, and main stair area which can be used to gather, read, and serve as program seating
• A children’s room with views out to the “golden bowl” and pool, a dedicated story time/project room, and plentiful stroller parking
• A second floor with various seating options – laptop bar, soft seating and outdoor seating etc. in the main reading room
• Additional space for books, movies, music, technology, and other materials
• A larger young adult area
• A maker space, technology room, and digital media lab
• A multi-purpose meeting/community room with after-hours access
• Quiet individual study areas
• A quiet reading room
• Group study/collaboration rooms
• A Belmont History wing with both the Claflin Room and the Belmont Room
• Designated Friends of the Belmont Public Library book sale and sorting area
• Outdoor areas for use as classroom space, event space, and general green space

With the successful vote in November 2022, the design is now proceeding and you can find the current information at www.belmontlibraryproject.com.

The library at the new Belmont Middle and High School will be a great improvement over the existing BHS library, however school libraries exist to support the academic needs of the school’s students and are only open to students during school hours, not on nights or weekends, vacation weeks, or the summer months.

The materials, resources, and programs available for young adult patrons of the Belmont Public Library are far more encompassing and available to ALL of Belmont’s young adults– those that attend BHS, those that are homeschooled, and those that attend private schools. While the updated school library at the Belmont Middle and High School will be a wonderful addition to the Belmont Public Schools, it in no way negates the need for a 21st century library that provides appropriate resources and services for all of Belmont’s young adults.

The Library Building Committee worked closely with the Library Project design team, the Belmont Energy Commission, and environmentally focused town groups, to ensure that the new library is working towards Belmont’s energy goals. Exciting sustainability features of the new library include:

• A west and east facing solar photovoltaic (PV) array
• Rooftop mechanicals with a generator
• All-electric, net-zero-ready systems
• A highly insulated building envelope
• Glazing/glass under 40%
• Daylighting – window and skylight placement to maximize effective internal lighting
• Stormwater management systems
• A rain garden filtration system
• Native vegetation
• Car charging stations

The Belmont Public Library offers a wealth of resources and services, and demand for these services has risen every year. In FY 2019, the Belmont Public Library had the 10th largest circulation numbers in Massachusetts, 254,833 visitors, and a total circulation number of more than 600,000. On top of that, more than 18,000 children, teens, and adults attended 772 events.

In response to space and programmatic needs, the schematic designs for the new library include:

A larger children’s room with designated programming space – One of the most highly utilized spaces in the Library is the Children’s Room and many of the most successful Library programs are those for children and their caregivers. Unfortunately, the size of the current Children’s Room is insufficient for Belmont’s growing youth population and the room’s layout and amenities are less than ideal for the Library’s youngest patrons. The Library has worked with the MBLC (Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners) in an effort to make the Children’s Room compatible with current space and programmatic needs, however the MBLC agrees that the limited children’s room space has been effectively utilized and has no additional recommendations for how to more efficiently use the space.

Schematic designs for the new Library include a larger Children’s Room that has:

• Designated programming space, with necessary facilities for running successful programs. I.e., sinks for arts and crafts programs
• Sufficient seating space for storytimes
• A nursing room
• Designated quiet play areas
• Technology services spaces

Expansion and improvements to the Children’s Room, as detailed in the schematic design, will enable the Library to adequately accommodate Belmont’s youngest patrons and to provide appropriate resources, programs, and services.

Individual study areas – There is extremely limited distinct space for people to study in the current building. There are a handful of stand-alone desks and there are often people waiting to take advantage of any empty area. This is particularly obvious during after school hours, when many students walk from the high school and middle school to complete homework and to study at the Library. Schematic designs for the new Library include an increase in individual study areas throughout the building.

Small-group study/meeting spaces – There is a great need in town for spaces for groups of citizens, students, and organizations to gather for meetings, to work, and to participate in study sessions. With only two meeting spaces available at the Library, and priority rightly going to library programming, it is extremely difficult to procure a meeting or small group study spot. Groups routinely use the tables throughout the Library, but this often leads to unintentional noise issues and sub-optimal seating situations. Schematic designs for the new Library include seven study rooms, three designated meeting rooms, and other library rooms that can serve as meeting spaces.

Multi-purpose community room with after-hours access – All meeting and event space is at a premium in Belmont. When the Library needs to hold an event that deviates from the usual operating times, there is no way to secure the site and keep event attendees in one area. Schematic designs for the new Library include a multi-purpose event room, with after-hours capability, adjacent restrooms and workrooms, and designated entry and exit points. This ensures that events can be held at times when the Library is not open and will not require that unused portions of the Library be staffed. This space can be utilized not only for Library programs, but also for events held by community organizations and outside groups and, if rental fees are charged, could serve as a potential revenue source.

Additional computer/technology work areas – Town residents rely heavily on the Library’s technology services. Patrons come to the Library to use computers, access Wi-Fi, make copies, learn how to use 3-D printers, utilize databases, take coding and programming classes, and much more. Due to limited computers and available work areas in the building, there is often a lengthy wait to access technology services. Schematic designs for the new Library include additional technology workspaces and additional individual study/work areas for patrons who bring laptops or other electronics to use while at the Library.

Technology/Maker Space/Digital Lab Space for technology instruction and experiential learning – A 21st century library provides services that don’t come solely from books. Libraries offer programs that teach patrons how to utilize technology, supplement curriculum, and learn new technology-related skills. Many technology-focused events offered at the Library are filled as soon as programming schedules are announced and, unfortunately, many patrons do not make it off wait lists.  Schematic designs for the new Library include designated technology instruction space and maker lab, and a digital media lab. These improved spaces for technology programming will increase the number of technology-focused programming and events that the Library can offer and will ensure that Library patrons have access to current technology for work, education, and life-long skill advancement.

A larger young adult area/teen space – Space in the Young Adult Room is extremely limited. With only three tables and the smallest book stacks of any area within the Library, not to mention no quiet study or collaborative workspaces, it is a less than ideal place for Belmont’s teens to come after school to do homework or to collaborate on group projects.

Studying doesn’t end at the end of the school day and teens need a safe, supervised place to complete their work and to take advantage of the fantastic young adult programming and services provided by the library. Schematic designs for the new Library include a Young Adult Room that adequately accommodates the number of teens who routinely visit the Library. The room will have plentiful seating and study spaces available and will be flexible enough to be used for teen-specific programming when needed. The teen space will be located in close proximity to the technology areas, where Belmont’s students will acquire skills for school, employment, and beyond.

Outdoor areas that can be used as an extension of the Library – There is a wonderful landscape outside the Library’s doors, but it has not been utilized as an integral part of the Library. In the new Library designs, the outdoor area in re-imagined as program space, meeting space, and reading/quiet space. In 2019, when Covid-19 hit, it became even more apparent that areas outside of buildings must work as an extension of public space. The designs for the outside of the Library greatly expand usable space for patrons.

The Belmont Public Library is the hub of the community, a place that welcomes people of all ages, backgrounds, socioeconomic status, and interests. The Library is not only a resource center, providing access to books, digital media, computers, and more, but also an event and programming center – hosting a wide-range of performances, lectures, and author talks. The Library offers programming from coding classes for teens, to language and writing workshops, to musical performances, to ELL conversation groups, to storytimes for the youngest Belmont Public Library patrons, all with a focus on meeting the needs of the community. The Library is a gathering place for clubs and organizations and Library staff works closely and collaboratively with town government, the Beech Street Center, the school department, civic groups, and community organizations to provide meeting space, to hold joint events, and to run programs that complement Town initiatives and priorities.

The Woodland Gardens are incorporated into the design of the new Library. The Gardens will continue to be an integral and prominent element of the Library’s overall landscape design.

In accordance with the Wetlands Protection Act (Massachusetts General Law Chapter 13, Section 40) and with input from Belmont’s Conservation Commission, the landscape design team has created a landscape plan that incorporates storm-water gardens that filter rain water from the parking lot and roof and feed that water back into the Wellington Brook. In addition, landscape architects are working to incorporate waterway concerns into their designs and to do their part to maintain Belmont’s waterways and help mitigate flooding from the Wellington Brook.

Schematic design includes a meeting space that will accommodate larger groups than the 125-person capacity of the largest meeting room in the current Library. This space will have an adjacent food preparation area and restrooms. The meeting area will be self-contained and can be closed off to the rest of the Library and operational when the Library is closed to patrons.

The new Library will have an “historical wing” where the Claflin Room and the Belmont History room are side-by-side.

There will be a space in the new Library, furnished with tables and chairs, where patrons will be able to eat, drink, and converse.

There will be approximately 42 parking spaces for the new building. This is the same number as are currently available for staff and library patrons. The High School Building Committee and LBC have been strategizing together on the possibility of providing shared parking across the street.

The new Library will be 100% in compliance with ADA building codes and will be universally accessible.

The Library Project is currently in the Design Development phase. The phases of a building project include:

Feasibility Study. Prepared by an architect, the feasibility study in an in-depth analysis of existing building conditions, building space usage, a structural review, zoning analysis, and site and landscape examination, including parking options. In addition, the feasibility study offers analysis of available construction possibilities (renovation, addition with renovation, or new construction) for a site. This phase was completed in early 2017.

Conceptual Design. – Based on the project feasibility study and still an early phase of the design process, conceptual designs detail construction options and define parameters of a building project. The design team synthesizes and incorporates information gathered from the building committee, library staff, community members, and town-wide survey participants and turns ideas into design renderings. Conceptual designs serve as a starting point for specifics of the project, including room size, lay-out, programmatic space allocations, and other design features.

Schematic Design. Based on approved conceptual designs, the schematic design establishes the scope, budget and schedule for the building project. The schematic design details exterior and interior design, room lay-out, building systems, sustainability goals and programmatic building space. In addition, the schematic design details project costs, including design and OPM fees, construction costs, landscape expenses, and other project-related costs such as furniture and equipment. This was finalized for the Library Project in November 2019. You can see plans and images of the designs from the Schematic Design phase at www.belmontlibraryproject.com.

Design Development. During the design development phase, the design is developed in greater detail.  Building materials are chosen, building systems and engineering are designed and coordinated, and the spaces of the building and site are developed with a greater degree of specificity.  The project is currently in the Design Development phase, and more information can be found at www.belmontlibraryproject.com.

Construction Documents.  This is the final design phase in which the construction details are documented, all final selections are made, and the technical specifications for engineering and construction are finalized.  The construction drawings and specifications from which the building will be constructed are generated in this final phase of design.