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Library's Expansion | Newspaper Articles
'66 addition to library going down - Way is being cleared
for major expansion
Mary Jo Hill, Worcester Telegram & Gazette, August
29, 2005
LEOMINSTER - A large hole on the back wall of the Leominster
Public Library is a sign of things to come.
Demolition of the 10,000-square-foot addition put up in 1966
is expected to begin in several weeks, said Susan T.
Shelton, the library director.
"What they're doing right now is they're doing some internal
demolition."
Carpeting, lighting fixtures and ceiling tiles are being
taken out so the structure becomes a shell ready for
demolition, she said.
The hole in the wall helped with the work on the second
floor. A Dumpster was set up beneath the opening, which was
used to toss out debris.
The hole is now boarded up, she said.
Before demolition can begin, asbestos abatement must be
completed in coming weeks, Ms. Shelton said.
The asbestos abatement involves both the 1910 building and
the 1966 addition.
The three-story 1910 structure, which was funded in part by
Andrew Carnegie, can primarily be seen from West Street.
That building will be restored as part of this project.
While the library was open, all of the asbestos had been
controlled in both of the structures, Ms. Shelton said. "It
was never a health risk to anyone."
Once the 1966 addition on the back of the library has come
down, construction will begin to add 35,000 square feet.
Some removal of trees, overgrown shrubbery and asphalt also
has been done.
So far work on the $10.8 million renovation and expansion
project is going great, the library director said.
To prepare for construction, the library was closed to the
public in May.
While construction work is being done, the library's
temporary home is in the Crossroads Office Park, 690
Mechanic St., Leominster.
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