West Branch Library Renovation Groundbreaking, Thursday, April 25, 11:30 a.m.

Mayor Joseph A. Curtatone, Ward 6 Councilor Lance Davis, and Somerville Library Director Cathy Piantigini invite you to celebrate the start of renovations to the West Branch Library at a groundbreaking ceremony on Thursday, April 25, at 11:30 a.m., at 40 College Avenue in Davis Square. Once work is completed, the West Branch will be accessible, will include community meeting space, and will be set up to meet modern library and community needs while preserving historic features. You can learn more about the renovation and see plans for the renovated branch atwww.somervillema.gov/WestBranchLibrary. During construction, a temporary mini-library has been set up at the Tufts Administration Building, 167 Holland Street. You can find the temporary branch’s hours and a schedule of upcoming events atwww.somervillepubliclibrary.org. 

The historic West Branch of the Somerville Public Library is more than one-hundred years old, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It is one of the nearly 1,700 cherished Carnegie Libraries constructed in the United States near the turn of the last century with funding from philanthropist and businessman Andrew Carnegie. Completed in 1909, it was designed by Maclean and Wright and is a fine example of the Neoclassical architecture of the early 20th century and a civic landmark in the Davis Square area. Constructed of limestone and buff brick, the richly detailed cornice, entry gable with acroteria, corner quoins, and lamps flanking the entrance underscore the high social purpose of the library.

The plan for Library improvements was developed over the course of several years, via meetings with numerous stakeholders within the community, including library staff, Trustees and Friends, members of the community, abutters, the Historic Preservation Commission, elected officials, and the City administration.