Finegold Alexander awarded feasibility for J.V. Fletcher Library

Westford, MA Finegold Alexander Architects has completed the feasibility study for the renovation and expansion of the town's J.V. Fletcher Library. The library is an historic 1895 structure and the study evaluated possible restoration, renovation and expansion strategies. The feasibility study has received final town approval and will be included in the library’s application for Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) grant funding in January 2017.

The team at Finegold Alexander Architects recently completed library projects for Holyoke (a historic restoration and addition project), Framingham (the new Christa McAuliffe Branch Library) and Westwood (new construction), Mass. “Our team is knowledgeable not only in historic library restoration and expansion projects, but also in the needs of today’s library patrons. We look forward to modernizing this remarkable community library,” said principal, Ellen Anselone.

Westford is studded with waterways and once supported granite and textile industries. Native son of Westford Jonathan Varnum Fletcher donated the yellow Greek Renaissance Revival building to the town, to serve as a library built on Westford common in 1895. The building was updated with several renovations since that time, the last of which was in the 1980s. Finegold Alexander Architects’ charge was to develop a feasibility study, drawings and other documents illustrating alternative schemes for the existing 22,000 s/f library. The feasibility study took into account the Library Trustees’ goals while also assessing existing building conditions and providing 3-4 options for renovation and addition. “The goals for the new structure include:

• Flexibility for the Library to adapt spaces and uses over the next two decades to provide a full array of services changing patronage

• An expanded, responsive, energizing youth services area

• An imaginative and collaborative young adult area

• A lively design to appeal to youth under the age of 19

• Individual tutorial rooms for study, research and interaction

• Conference area/computer lab/maker space

• Increased relaxing and inviting seating and browsing areas

• Creation of a “local history” space

The study and design was submitted along with the library’s grant application to the MBLC in January 2017.