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The public libraries in Falmouth and Hudson have received a total of $20.5 million in construction grants, along with $614,000 in provisional Green Library Incentives, from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
At its July 9 board meeting, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners awarded provisional construction grants totaling $20.5 million, along with $614,000 in provisional Green Library Incentives, to the towns of Falmouth and Hudson, through the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program.
“Libraries don’t just increase literacy, they also increase economic activity and revitalize areas where they are built,” said MBLC Director Maureen Amyot. “With state funding … these communities will build energy-efficient, sustainable libraries that ensure free access to a community gathering space, knowledge, and technology for all.”
Falmouth was awarded $7.2 million for the construction of a new East Falmouth Branch. The current library is not accessible — the children’s room is located in the former garage and can only be entered via a ramp, which is not ADA compliant — and the building’s structural integrity is starting to deteriorate, according to a recent assessment.
The Falmouth project will demolish the existing structure and construct a new, fully accessible and energy-efficient 8,670 square foot library on the same site.
Hudson received $13.3 million for a renovation and addition project. The current library operates out of a Carnegie building constructed in 1905, with additions dating to 1929 and 1966. The lack of space, inadequate technology, and inaccessibility of the current building make it difficult to meet the needs of the community, especially children and teens.
The Hudson project will renovate the historic Carnegie library, demolish the existing additions, and build a new addition.
Provisional construction grants for these projects are between 35% to 50% of their estimated eligible project costs. These municipalities have until April 30, 2027, to accept their provisional grant awards through town meeting and ballot votes.
Falmouth will also receive $215,842 in Green Library Incentives for its project, and Hudson will get $398,571.
Green Library Incentives are 3% of the construction grant award and are disbursed when projects certify that they have complied with one of three sustainable and resilient design and construction pathways as specified in the grant round program notice.
The MBLC had approved Planning and Design grants for Falmouth and Hudson in January 2025, and the projects were waitlisted for construction grants until funding became available through the state’s capital plan.
The Falmouth and Hudson projects recently completed the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program Level of Design independent review, which ensures that each project is meeting program design guidelines.
The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program has benefited more than 250 towns and cities since its inception in 1987. Funding to support the MPLCP grant round was included in the Mass Leads Act, an economic development package signed into law in November 2024.
MPLCP projects are currently underway in the following communities: Amherst, Blandford, Deerfield, Fitchburg, Springfield, and Westford.
The Swansea Free Public Library, Sawyer Free Library in Gloucester, and Shutesbury Library recently celebrated the completion of library projects.
Learn more about the program on the MBLC website, the Building Literacy podcast, and the MPLCP Municipal Impact website.