AMHERST – With a resounding 65 percent of voters selecting “Yes” on the lone ballot question this election cycle, Amherst residents approved the $35.3 million expansion and renovation of the Jones Library. With funds already secured by the town, the bill for Amherst residents will be approximately $15.8 million.

“The 65 percent referendum “Yes” vote represented an overwhelming endorsement of the Town Council’s 10-2 support for the project. There is no doubt that voters want a library that is accessible to all, provides services that are unmet and will dramatically reduce Amherst’s overall use of fossil fuels,” said Kent Faerber, chair of the Vote Yes for Our Library Committee in a statement following results.

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has awarded Amherst a grant of approximately $13.8 million for the project with payments beginning this year. About $5.7 million will be provided through private donations as set forth in an agreement with the Jones Library Board of Trustees, and $1 million was appropriated from the Community Preservation Act funds.

Proponents of the expansion and renovation argued that it was the town’s fiscal responsibility to take the deal they arranged. The pros outweighed the cons in their eyes as taxpayers were only due for just under half of the total costs in the project.

The renovation and expansion will include a rear addition to the current building, a renovation of the old theater inside of the library into a teen area, and the exterior of the original building to be restored as well as most of the interior to be restored including open spaces not currently open to the public. A more accessible entry way for those with wheelchairs or strollers is also part of the outdoor renovation, as the building does not currently comply with handicapped accessibility codes.

“Now work can begin on details for the renovations and expansion. Over the next six months, there will be many opportunities for residents to share ideas and opinions as detailed plans are developed to ensure the promise of a project that is the smart choice for Amherst on all levels: financially, environmentally and socially,” said Faerber. “In a time of increased isolation and divisiveness, investing in our public infrastructure is all the more important.”

Opponents of the expansion believe the project was not worth it for the cost and what was planned to be built. The belief is that the new library expansion and renovation does not meet the needs of Amherst residents.

“We thank all the Start Over Smart supporters and voters who studied the proposed Jones project and understood that it is too large, expensive, wasteful and was planned without all members of our community. Although we’re disappointed, we know that our efforts have led to a dual focus on sustainability and social justice that was not part of the original planning process. If readers are interested in more background, they will find it at votenostartoversmart.com,” said Terry Johnson, chair of Vote NO - Start over Smart.

Johnson said last month that the proposed demotion of the 1993 addition was wasteful and referenced sustainability international guidelines that in her words, “[the guidelines] are to always adapt something, change it, but do not demolish or destroy it because of the high rate in carbon materials.”  

With environmental concerns on top of general concerns for costs, the group hoped to halt the project on the ballot and go back with the town to develop, in their eyes, a more efficient plan.

The plan for renovation and expansion started early in the last decade as members of the board of trustees, both former and current members, began reaching out to the community and state on how to best address making much needed improvements to the public space. The main improvements that will now come due to the confirmation of “Yes” on the ballot were directly suggested from the employees of the Jones Library and have seen firsthand what is required.

“We will get a larger building that can accommodate needs that can’t be met now, like we don’t have enough space for our ESL program. It’s not generally known what goes on in public libraries and we’re trying to make clear that this is not just a place to borrow books. We get 227,000 people going through the door of that building every year,” Faerber said last month.

As Faerber mentioned, the Jones Library has a multitude of resources for Amherst residents. This includes access to computers with Internet, central community gathering spots such as an expanded children’s room and new designated teen area.

It was a big goal of the  proponents to show through this project the expansion and renovation of the new library will not only be creating more space for the 19,000 cardholders listed, but also space and opportunity for the 227,000 people they have said come through their doors each year.  

“The founder of the Jones Library conceived of the library as the center of the Amherst Community. Of all the places in Western Massachusetts that should have a distinguished library, Amherst is the place,” Faerber said last month.

The voters ultimately have decided for the expansion and renovation, making a statement that this is the best option for such a historic and loved institution within the town.

Reminder Publishing will have more coverage of the election in the Nov. 18 edition.