New Library Discussions on Cable TV

New Library Building Project Information - Sharon Cable TV
Information about the proposed new library building project.

Sharon Cable TV Library Tour and Discussion
Look here to see the conditions of the current building and to hear about the proposed new library.

Public Forum Questions and Answers

On January 11, 2017, The Library Building and Selection Committee and Library Architects from Lerner Ladds and Bartels welcomed the community to a presentation on the schematic design floor plans and exterior renderings of the proposed new Sharon Public Library at 1 School Street.

Note: Several questions were asked about sidewalks, crosswalks, traffic patterns, exterior lighting in the parking lot, side street parking, etc. The answers to these questions are not in the purview of the Library Building and Selection Committee, nor the architects. They are questions for the Town Engineer, Superintendent of Public Works, the Standing Building Committee, and the Board of Selectmen.

Questions that the library can answer include the following:

1. What are the total square feet of shelving in the new library?
A. The new library will have a total of 9,606 Linear Feet of public shelving to hold 106,000 items.
     The current library has a total of 5,910 Linear Feet of public shelving for the current collection of
    80,000 items.

2. Why doesn't the town hall move into the current library and the current library use the town hall
    property?
A. The Library Building and Selection Committee reviewed a total of 28 different municipal properties
   to determine which would be the best suited to a new proposed library. Most residents want their library to be in the "downtown area".  During this time the town hall property was considered.
    When asked about the possibility of using the town hall property, the answer was no because a
a feasibility study was being pursued to expand the present town hall facility in its present location.

3. Why do the population projection figures determine the size of a new library and where do
   the figures come from?
A. The *UMass Donahue Institute Economic and Public Policy Research provides population
    projection figures for the Office of the Secretary for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts for
    research and planning purposes for the state. The estimated 2035 projected
    population for the Town of Sharon is 18,790. **The projected "Service" population includes the
    number of people served by the library, including those within its municipal boundaries and an
    estimate of nonresidents. This figure, based on circulation statistics is 22,098 going out 20 years.

   The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Grant process funds projects that will last for
    many years to come and not have to be added to or renovated every 10 years. The current
    library has an original 1914 Carnegie building of 2,000 square feet which was built at no cost to
    the town. It was built with a donation by Andrew Carnegie. Two additions were added, each built
    10 years apart because the town population increased, and the library couldn't provide services
    needed and as required by Massachusetts General Laws. The library is facing the same problems
    again. That is why the state requires planning to encompass changes based on projected
    population figures to prevent short-sighted construction projects that cost more money in the end.

* http://pep.donahue-institute.org/downloads/2015/new/UMDI_LongTermPopulationProjectionsReport_2015%2004%20_29.pdf

** Public Library Standards used by the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to determine staff, hours, and materials required per capita. Quantitative Standards by Municipal Population. The Town of Sharon's population falls between 10,000 and 24,999. The municipal projected population is 18,890 and the Sharon Public Library projected "Service" population-based usage is 22,000. Both figures are within the 10,000-24,999 standard. All new construction projects are required to calculate all categories using the "Basic" level.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions ~
Why Do We Need a New Library ~
What Will The New and Improved Sharon Public Library Provide ~
Why Are Libraries Important ~

Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program video