This temporary website contains information and opinion about the proposal to construct a new Branch Library to replace Framingham's current McAuliffe Branch Library. Town Meeting narrowly voted down this measure in January and March, 2005, but those votes do not diminish the need or value of the new McAuliffe Branch project.

Why Do We Need a New Branch Library?

The current McAuliffe Branch was originally constructed as one of 5 libraries (plus a bookmobile) in Framingham, and was never envisioned to fill the role it plays today. This small Branch is having increasing difficulty in adequately meeting the needs of the community.  The problems include:

• Insufficient space for collection materials that would be useful to the community.

• Dense shelving which is inaccessible to the disabled, and hard to browse for the young and the elderly

• Lack of a Program Room for Children's and Community events. Today, part of the collection is inaccessible during programs. Children rely heavily on McAuliffe for their education, and are therefore most affected by the lack of space and accessibility.

• Lack of quiet study areas for research

• Insufficient number of computers (due to lack of space)

• Poor Branch location suffers from traffic and safety problems

• The building has issues with HVAC and roofing

Compounding this is the fact that McAuliffe's services are in such high demand.  McAuliffe is 1st or 2nd in the State in Branch Library Circulation and Branch Circulation per Square Foot, ahead of more than 115 other Branches, thus creating crowded conditions and straining Branch resources.

This is a great time to proceed with building a new Branch:

• The State is offering Framingham a Grant that would cover 25% of the entire project. If we don't use the Grant imminently, it will expire.

• Construction costs are rising faster than inflation.  The later we start the project, the bigger the bite it will take out of the Town Budget.

• We need the new Branch.  It makes good financial sense to do it now.

Did you know that the financing for this project would use an average of only about $4 per capita annually, from anticipated residential and personal property taxes (and dropping yearly as the project is paid off)?

You will find much more detail supporting the compelling case for rebuilding the McAuliffe Branch by following the links in the left-hand column.

Where to Start Reading

If you've heard or read about the new McAuliffe Branch Proposal before, you can see interesting new material by clicking through the Analysis links at the upper left of this page (start here).  Those to whom this Proposal is reasonably new might want to read the material in the Framingham Public Library Website or the McAuliffe Overview first, before reading my Analysis.

Don't have time for the nitty-gritty?  Check out the One-Page Summary.