LYNNFIELD — Following the failed ballot question from this month’s special election, the Lynnfield Library will need to tackle maintenance and building code issues through a more piecemeal approach.
Immediate needs that could be addressed in this year’s town budget includes repairing the roof and the windows, but according to Director of the Lynnfield Public Library Abigail Porter, there is far more that needs to be fixed in the building.
“There isn’t a single part of the library that doesn’t need some TLC,” she said. “The staff are dealing with constant issues… just last week our heat wasn’t working.”
To get an image of how dated the facilities in the LPL are, President of the Friends of the Lynnfield Library Jeana Tecci remembered one time when she was sweating in an upstairs room, while Porter was wearing gloves to type because her office was so cold.
Flooding, especially in the severely outdated basement, is a persistent problem, with carpets getting wet every time it rains. This especially causes problems for Tecci and the FOLL who operate out of the boiler room located in the basement.
Books being rotated out of the library’s supply are sorted in this claustrophobic space by the group for the spring’s book sale. The lack of room is exasperated by the constant need to lift materials off the floor to prevent being ruined by water damage.
“I get offers for donations, but it’s not safe to accept more books,” Tecci said. “We’d love to get more books; we just don’t have the space.”
One room which Porter deems the “dirt-floor basement” appears as if it hasn’t been touched since the library’s original construction in the late 19th century. Rodents and burst pipes often plague this area of the building.
Leaks have gone unnoticed for up to a month in the past until someone notices the floor is more soaked than usual. Now, Porter checks on these areas a few times each month to make sure nothing disastrous has happened.
ADA compliance is another pressing concern for the library, as none of the ramp out front of the building, the too small elevator, or the tight aisles are fully wheelchair accessible and up to code. Not having entry from the back of the building where the parking lot also brings problems of accessibility.
“I’ve had someone in the past say to me, ‘I’m in a wheelchair, how am I supposed to get around the building,” Porter said. “Making the building accessible for everyone, that’s my priority.”
Without the $18.3 million in funding that would’ve been made available if the ballot question passed, making these much-needed changes becomes more complicated and drags out construction as each project will need to be voted on separately.
With labor costs increasing approximately 5% each year, just bringing the building up to code will end up costing more than $12 million. For comparison, a similar proposal made in 2001 would’ve cost the town $4 million.
In addition, if a project ends up hitting one third of the library’s valuation at $1.6 million, then the town will be forced to fully renovate the building until it is completely compliant with state and federal requirements.
This would likely result in a major disruption to service, whereas the proposed plan would’ve had a space set for the library to operate while everything was done with one fell swoop.
“The thought is, if we’re going to do it, we might as well do it all… that would’ve been as painless as possible,” Porter said. “My main concern is serving the community and keeping my employees paid.”
New accommodations that the building currently lacks would’ve also been a part of the project, including study rooms and a teen space. Tecci said that on visiting local libraries, she didn’t find a single one that didn’t at least have a study room.
For now, Porter is getting ready to formulate and then present the LPL’s short term budgetary needs. She’s also on the constant lookout for any grants to apply for and get the library much needed funding.
With around 112,000 people visiting last year and events being held in its spaces each week, the library undeniably remains a cornerstone of the community despite its deteriorating state.
“There’s a lot of opportunity in this building, it’s discouraging that people dismiss it,” Porter said. “I wish people had to come see it before voting.”
