New Library Opened
Tuesday In Worcester
Grand Opening Ceremony In Mid-May
WORCESTER – After a five-year renovation, the new Worcester-Schenevus Library opened on Tuesday at 170 Main St. here, Diane Addesso, president, announced today.
A grand opening is planned in mid-May.
The new space is a Victorian former residence built around 1880. The Library’s previous location, a single room in the Wieting Theater, was built by philanthropist Hellen Wilder Wieting in 1910 and expanded to two rooms in 1922.
The new library, at over 2400 square feet, is four times the size of the previous one, and is located right next door.
New amenities include: a children’s room, seven computer stations, a
conference room, a teen space, a maker’s space and a larger collection. An elevator and access ramp comply with ADA accessibility requirements, Addesso said.
A municipal parking lot, outdoor patio and a community garden are planned for the upcoming year.
Major funding for the project came from a $112,000 state Department of Education Library Construction Grant, announced by state Sen. Jim Seward in 2014. Other funds were collected from foundations,
private donations and fundraising by the Friends of the Worcester-Schenevus Library.
“This expansion allows for a more engaging and active community Library that benefits everyone in our service area,” said Addesso. That includes Decatur, East Worcester, Maryland and Westford, as well as Worcester and Schenevus.