Interior work continues -- carpet installation begins

This week the installation of the carpet began--a sure sign that the new library is nearing completion and will be ready for its opening in late spring!


Here the giant rolls of carpeting are lined up in the parking lot.

A crane lifts the rolls of carpet up to the second floor.

The carpet installers bring the rolls of carpet in through the window.

The carpeting going down in the adult reference area on the second floor.






Meanwhile, the restoration work continues in the 1910 Carnegie building.



The central skylight, reopened after almost 50 years, fills this area with natural light.
Renovations in the West Reading Room (formerly the Children's Room), where magazines, newspapers and comfortable seating for adults will be located.

A look at the new Historical Room. These shelving units along the wall were salvaged from elsewhere in the library and installed in this room. For those of you who remember, this used to be the room where the library museum was located!

Interior photos

The Children's Room Circulation Desk is now in place. Beyond are the Preschool Alcove and the Story Time Room.

A window seat in the Children's Preschool Alcove.

A view of the main stairway in the addition.

The 1910 Carnegie building is currently undergoing renovations. Here we are looking into the East Reading Room, where new adult books will be located when the library reopens.

This view looks across the balcony of the 1910 building into the addition.

What's happening at the Leominster Public Library?

Now that the exterior work is nearing completion, the question everyone is asking is "when will the new library open?" The following is an excerpt from an article written for the Leominster Champion newspaper by Library Director Susan Shelton, which explains what will be happening in the next few months.

If you haven’t been too caught up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, you may have had a chance to drive or walk by 30 West Street to see the progress on the newly expanded and renovated Leominster Public Library.

The warmer than usual temperatures have allowed the exterior work to progress nicely. Parking areas have been paved, walkways and handicapped ramps have been poured, exterior lighting has been installed, the flagpole has been erected, and finished landscaping is almost complete.

Although the exterior work will be finished before the snow flies, there is still much to be done on the interior of the building. However, because the building looks almost complete, some people have mistakenly thought it is open and have wandered inside. Unfortunately, this is still very much a construction site, and the building has not yet been turned over to the City by the general contractor. We ask for your patience just a little bit longer, and assure you it will be well-worth the wait.

Work will continue on the interior of the building throughout the winter. Restoration of the 1910 building is currently underway. Also ongoing is the installation of interior lighting fixtures, finished painting, and tile flooring. Carpeting will begin in January, and will be followed by the installation of library shelving. By early spring, the building’s furniture and equipment will be delivered in preparation for a late spring opening.

Closer to the completion of the project, the library will set a date for its public dedication celebration. This event is an opportunity for the entire community to come together to see the new library and celebrate the beginning of a new chapter in the history of library service to our city and its residents. This dedication ceremony will mark the official opening of the library at its 30 West Street location.

In the meantime, the library continues to offer many wonderful programs and services for all ages at its temporary location – Crossroads Office Park, 690 Mechanic Street.

- by Susan Shelton, Library Director

New pictures this week

This week workmen poured the walkway to the West Street entrance of the 1910 Carnegie Building.

Here is the first look at the Pearl Street entrance doorway.


Another view of the Pearl Street entrance from the parking lot.


The travertine floor is being laid just inside the Pearl Street entrance. The door to the community Meeting Room is to the left, and the entrance to the Children's Room is to the right.



The countertop for the main Circulation Desk is being delivered.


Workmen are installing the countertop on the main Circulation Desk.

Another view of the main Circulation Desk shows the lower surface at one end for our physically challenged patrons.

Exterior photos

A walkway lined with lampposts runs along the side of the library from the Pearl Street parking lot to West Street.

The landscapers are planting the trees and shrubs around the new library.

A close-up view of the landscaping near the Pearl Street entrance.

Construction 85% complete

The light fixtures are being hung in the new addition. This is a view of the skylight looking over the balcony area from the third floor to the second floor.

Another view of the third floor. Much of the finish work and painting has been completed in this area.

This doorway leads from the main stairwell to the adult department on the second floor.

Renovations continue in the 1910 Carnegie building. Here, architect Patrick Hayes(center) and Project Manager Mike Mullaney(right) talk with a construction worker.

The handicapped ramp at the West Street entrance takes shape.

New photos this week

The curbings have been installed in the parking lot and the sidewalks are nearing completion. The expanded parking lot will provide double the number of spaces that were behind the old library.

The bookdrops have been installed just outside the new Pearl Street entrance. Note that there will be a special drop just for AV materials to protect them from the heavier books.


A view looking down from the third floor. The new adult reference desk is in the rear of the second floor in this area.

A view from the second floor looking across West Street to City Hall.