Connecting Community – Concord Free Public Library

Dear Library Supporters,

During these trying times, we’ve been especially grateful for the community-wide support for our wonderful Library. Thanks to you, we have been able to focus on the future and continue our planning for the expansion and renovation.

We wanted to share a long-awaited update with you regarding the Library Project.

Many of you may know that although Town decisions approving our plans were obtained in the fall, a legal appeal was filed in November of 2019. The Library Corporation is pleased to announce that these appeals have been recently resolved allowing for the Project to proceed!

As part of the resolution process we agreed to reconsider a few architectural details: the on-site accessible parking, the configuration of part of the new children’s wing and some minor changes to the window design in specific parts of the new construction. Applications relating to these matters have been prepared and filed. The good news is that our prior Town board approvals still stand. These new filings will only address the modifications mentioned above.

In regard to the Massachusetts Historical Commission, we have informed both the MHC and MassDevelopment that we will not engage in the MHC’s consultation process, and therefore will not be able to accept the Massachusetts Cultural Council Cultural Facilities Fund grant. This is most unfortunate and we regret that the MHC did not respect the decisions of our Town boards, which are most familiar with the Concord Community, the Main Street Historic District and the historic Heywood-Benjamin House. These Town board decisions were made after a comprehensive review process that included extensive input from the public.

We are intent on starting construction this fall. We will work this summer on wrapping up permitting, forming a building committee, and launching a sustainability study. We will be in touch with you regularly to share updates and progress.

We remain steadfast in our mission to provide the Concord Community with a renovated, expanded and improved Library.

We are so grateful for your support and for the key role you have played to move us forward. Thank you! You can expect to hear from us with greater frequency now that the appeals are behind us and construction is approaching. There will be a lot of exciting news to share.

We look forward to a day soon when we can enjoy the Library together. If you have questions, do not hesitate to reply to this message.

Be well.
With sincere appreciation,

Sherry F. Litwack, President and John W. Boynton, Trustee and Campaign Chair

SUPPORT THE LIBRARY ANNUAL FUND

STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF RACIAL JUSTICE

PROJECT UPDATE

Dear Library Supporters,

On a typical day in Concord, over 900 people visit our wonderful Library to access books and materials, attend a meeting, visit Special Collections, find a quiet spot to study or work, participate in a program or connect with a friend. We are so proud of the Library’s role in strengthening the Concord community and we are grateful to you for helping to keep our Library thriving.

Over the past few weeks, our Librarians have had to rapidly shift gears to provide services to the public without the use of buildings or in-person visits. And the Library Corporation is doing the same to ensure the Library has the necessary funding to enrich the lives of everyone in our community, regardless of age or economic circumstance.

Year in and year out, we have been able to do this because of the generosity of people like you who love and rely on the Library, have a deep belief in the value of its mission, and recognize the essential role libraries have in reducing social and economic inequalities. Our Annual Fund typically raises $150,000 per year to support vital needs. As you can imagine, the pandemic has us concerned about the reality of raising this essential funding this year.

When CFPL once again opens its doors, our patrons will return to the comfort and stability we have provided since 1873. I look forward to that day soon and to seeing so many of you back in the stacks.

In the meantime, our wonderful Library staffers are still available to answer questions and brainstorm problems with you even though our physical buildings are closed. Reach out anytime. Click here to learn more about the wealth of wonderful resources available online. You can also click here for the informative newsletter the Library staff sends out each week.

With gratitude,

Sherry F. Litwack, President
CFPL Corporation

What wonderful words from Library supporter Susannah Benner…

Like most of the world, my family is riding a roller coaster of emotions. In between the fears of sickness, uncertainty and boredom, my wanderlust to explore the world has started nagging. Obviously,this is a time to stay at home, but in the last 6 weeks, I HAVE traveled, far and wide. I’ve been to Iran as the Shah overthrew Mosaddegh, and to Franco’s Spain, to the Gulags in Russia, and down a Minnesotan river in a canoe. I’ve survived the 1918 Spanish flu in Mexico, solved crimes in Sweden and summited mountains in the Andes. I’ve cried at the loss of babies, husbands, homes, countries. And felt the power of young love, missed connections, dreams realized, regrets abandoned and adventures begun. My children and I have run away from home, been lost, found, misunderstood, rescued, time-traveled, and safely returned home. Powerful storytelling is humanity at its greatest. In sharing the human condition, empathy is awakened and our hearts open to the world.

Through books and movies we can transcend time and space. I read once that there are really only two stories in the world: a man goes on an adventure and a stranger comes to town. How divinely lucky we are of the infinite number of ways to tell those stories.

During our social distancing, my daughter and I have downloaded and watched movies from the minuteman library as well as e- books and audibles! Utilize this immense selection of offerings.

Support your library today!

Project Update

What wonderful words from Library supporter Susannah Benner…