Jones Library Building Project
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The Town has formed the Jones Library Building Committee. The Committee's meetings will be posted to the Town's website calendar.
Support Our Project
A significant portion of the funding for the Building Project will come from contributions from supporters of the Jones Library via The Campaign for a 21st Century Jones Library, a capital campaign being conducted by the Friends of the Jones Library System, Inc. You can support the Jones Library Building Project by making an online gift designated for the Project, or by printing a contribution form, designating your gift for the Project, and sending your check and the form to the address indicated.
Thank you for helping us create a Jones Library facility for the 21st Century.
Jones Library receives $1 million National Endowment for the Humanities grant
Challenge grant to fund garden level Humanities Center in renovated and expanded building
On Wednesday, May 3, Congressman James McGovern joined dozens of Jones Library supporters to celebrate the receipt of a $1 million challenge grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH). Additional speakers included State Rep. Mindy Domb, Amherst Town Councilor Anika Lopes, Library Director Sharon Sharry, and Library Trustees President Austin Sarat.
The largest of twenty-four NEH Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge Grants given nationwide, the NEH grant will leverage funds to create a Humanities Center on the ground floor of the renovated and expanded Jones Library, including:
- Additional, fully climate-controlled collection space for the historical and literary materials housed in our world class Special Collections;
- ADA & public access to our Special Collections;
- New Special Collections Exhibit Gallery, a permanent home for Amherst’s Civil War Tablets; new space for our Burnett Art Gallery; and
- Additional, flexible program space for internal and community-based programming, including after-hours access.
The purpose of the Humanities Center is to create a facility that can serve broader audiences with these collections and programs. From creating engaging exhibits from our Special Collections that make local history artifacts more visible and accessible to young people to providing program spaces for the Library and community partners to bring the community together, these purpose-built spaces will enable the Library to serve as the fulcrum for broader community-wide humanities events such as performances and lectures by community partners such as the Emily Dickinson Museum, Poetry and Art Walks, the Juneteenth celebration, and more.
In this grant round, NEH awarded 24 capacity building challenge grants nationally. NEH reviewers rated the Jones Library’s application with the highest marks. One reviewer commented, "This proposal and the project Amherst is working towards are excellent. They clearly identify challenges, offer well-thought-out plans to address them, and create positive impact to the community while doing so. They've made a very compelling case for funding."
ABOUT THE NATIONAL ENDOWMENT FOR THE HUMANITIES
Created in 1965 as an independent federal agency, the National Endowment for the Humanities supports research and learning in history, literature, philosophy, and other areas of the humanities by funding selected, peer-reviewed proposals from around the nation. Additional information about the National Endowment for the Humanities and its grant programs is available at www.neh.gov, including a list of all 2023 NEH Grant Awards and Offers (PDF).
ABOUT THE JONES LIBRARY CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
A project of the non-profit Friends of the Jones Libraries, the Jones Library Capital Campaign (JLCC) is raising funds to renovate and expand the historic Jones Library building. Combined with other fundraising commitments, including over $2.3 million from the community, the JLCC has secured over $5.79 million for the renovation and expansion as of May 1, 2023. The JLCC contributions are in addition to the $15.8 million committed by the Town of Amherst and the $13.8 million grant from the MA Board of Library Commissioners.
When complete, the renovation and expansion will make the Jones Library one of the most climate-friendly buildings in Amherst, restoring most of the original 1928 building, expanding programming space to meet current and emerging needs for all ages and multiple populations, while improving the layout to be fully accessible for people with disabilities and more functional for everyone.
Trustees stay the course with Jones Library Building Project
At their meeting on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, the Jones Library Board of Trustees voted unanimously to stay the course with efforts to renovate and expand the Jones Library.
The motion, offered by Trustees President Austin Sarat and seconded by Trustee Lee R. Edwards, reads as follows:
Moved: The Trustees reaffirm our commitment to the Jones Library Building Project and support the ongoing work of the JLBC.
We do so because:
- Addressing the programmatic and space needs identified at the start of the project is as urgent today as it was then.
- Despite increased access to library collections made possible by technology, the library building remains an important resource for many residents of Amherst, especially economically and socially disadvantaged populations, as well as teens and children.
- It is not financially responsible to incur the cost of addressing existing problems in the Jones building without adding additional needed space.
- The JLBC has made prudent design decisions to reduce the anticipated cost of the building project and is developing a compelling architectural plan.
- Amherst has a unique opportunity to take advantage of financial support provided by the state and federal governments as well as the extraordinary generosity already shown through the community campaign.
- Of the urgent need to make the Jones Library environmentally sustainable and to preserve the uniquely valuable historic aspects of the building.
- Of the need to keep faith with the more than 65% of the voters who endorsed the Jones Library Building project at the ballot box.
The Jones Library Building Committee was formed by Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman in July 2021 to oversee the design and construction of the Jones Library renovation and expansion. Shortly thereafter, the Trustees entered into a memorandum of agreement with the nonprofit Friends of the Jones Libraries to spearhead fundraising efforts via the Jones Library Capital Campaign (JLCC).
Combined with other fundraising commitments, including over $2.25 million from the community, the JLCC has secured over $4.65 million as of March 1, 2023. Capital Campaign contributions are in addition to the $15.8 million committed by the Town of Amherst and the $13.8 million grant from the MA Board of Library Commissioners.
Building Committee approves schematic designs, moves to design development phase
The Jones Library Building Committee is currently engaged in the nitty gritty of the Design Development stage. This involves details such as sustainability measures as well as the Library's look and feel, inside and out. These final decisions are being made in February and March and will move swiftly this spring to stay on track to break ground in early 2024.
These about-to-be-final architectural plans show a bright, safe, accessible, and welcoming library with features including a prominent ground floor spot for the Burnett Gallery and a permanent home for Amherst's historic Civil War Tablets.
When complete, the building project will make the Jones Library one of the most climate-friendly buildings in Amherst, restoring most of the original 1928 building, expanding programming space to meet current and emerging needs, while improving the layout to be fully accessible for people with disabilities and more functional for everyone.
To view the design development timeline and recent progress on the floor plans, please see the Jones Library Capital Campaign's Design Development Presentation (PDF).
Rep. McGovern secures $1.1M in federal funding for the Jones Library Building Project
Advocating on behalf of capital needs in the district, Rep. Jim McGovern secured $1.1M in economic development funding in the Dec 2022 Omnibus spending package for the Jones Library renovation and expansion. As Jones Trustees President Austin Sarat told the Gazette, "this infusion of federal funds puts wind in the sails of the work we are now doing to turn vision into reality."
A project of the Friends, the Jones Library Capital Campaign (JLCC) is raising funds to renovate and expand the historic Jones Library building. Combined with other fundraising commitments, including over $2.1 million from the community, the JLCC has secured over $4.5 million as of February 1, 2023.
Jones Library Director: 2012 Library Space Report a Poor Plan B
Excerpted from an article by Scott Merzbach in the Daily Hampshire Gazette from December 13, 2022:
AMHERST – Aggressive weeding of library assets to reduce the collection, centralizing storage spaces and having special collections off site were among recommendations offered to elected trustees and staff at the Jones Library a decade ago as means of improving operations at the 48,000-square-foot building at 43 Amity St.
While the 2012 report from Anna Popp, a representative of the Massachusetts Library System, describes a roadmap for changes that could be undertaken, Library Director Sharon Sharry said in an interview Thursday that the space-optimization information provided in the 15-page document should be seen largely as a precursor to decisions trustees made to seek financing from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for a renovated and expanded building.
"This was used in the process of leading up to whether to make an application for a construction grant," Sharry said. Noting that the report was completed within her first year as director, she said library trustees opted against "moving furniture and walls (which) would do little to address larger safety and operating issues the library needs to address."
Read the full article | Read Anna Popp's Space Planning Recommendations (PDF)
Space Planning Recommendations by Anna Popp (MLS) - April 2012 (PDF)
Project Newsletter
Select a volume to view a larger PDF version
See the Town website for a complete archive of newsletters
Community Chat: Jones Library Building Project
With Town Manager Paul Bockelman, Library Director Sharon Sharry, Library Trustee Austin Sarat, and Town Communications Manager Brianna Sunryd | Recorded March 25, 2022
On behalf of Board of the Trustees of the Jones Library, I want to thank everyone in this community who participated in the planning of this project over the past decade. Whether you were for the project, against the project, or somewhere in between... your thoughtful input helped bring us here today. The project will continue to evolve and improve because of your engagement.
Over the next several months, we will complete the Schematic Designs, and enter into the Design Development phase of the project. Public outreach will resume as we look to design a Library for EVERYONE in our community. Your voice continues to be an important piece of this process.
Special thanks to the following groups of people for their hard work, support, persistence, and passion:
- Staff of the Jones, North Amherst, and Munson Memorial Libraries
- Friends of the Jones Library System
- Friends’ Development Committee
- Feasibility Committee
- Sustainability Committee
- Gardens Advisory Committee
- Burnett Art Gallery Committee
- The Literacy Project
- Capital Campaign Committee
- Amherst Town Manager & Finance Director
- Amherst Downtown Business Improvement District
- Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce
- Financial Development Agency
- Finegold Alexander Architects
- Kuhn Riddle Architects
- Colliers Project Leaders
- Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners
- Amherst Historical Society
- Amherst Media
- Amherst Town Council, Finance Committee, JCPC, CPAC, & Historic Commission
- Congressman James McGovern, Senator Jo Comerford, & Representative Mindy Domb
Our Project at a Glance
Thank you for your interest in our building project. We plan to improve the safety, efficiency, and user-friendliness of the Jones Library, while also restoring our original 1928 building and honoring our past. We recommend the following presentation for those interested in an introduction to our project:
- The Jones Library Expansion & Renovation Project: The Most Transformative Change to Downtown Amherst in the Last 30 Years (PDF) — July 16, 2021
And if you'd like to learn more, we recommend the following resources:
- Video: Project Presentation by Library Trustees to Town Council (65 mins) — February 22, 2021
- Design & Sustainability Presentation by Finegold Alexander Architects (PDF) — October 8, 2020
- Sustainability Committee Recommendations (PDF) — August 26, 2020
Take a virtual tour of the Jones Library to learn more about our past, present, and future.
Recommended Resources
- Accessibility Review & Recommendations (PDF) — by Kuhn Riddle Architects (June 10, 2020); see the Executive Summary
- Video: Project Presentation by Library Trustees to Town Council — this link jumps to minute 55 of the presentation when the relevant discussion begins (February 22, 2021)
SOCIAL JUSTICE & ACCESSIBILITY
Recommended Resources
- Video: Speak Up! (7 mins) — by the UMass Journalism Department
Recent incidents gained national attention for targeting and harassing immigrants and minority groups, particularly those who do not speak English. Producer Rachel Swansburg introduces us to one group fighting the vitriol with its ESL and citizenship program. - Audio: Amherst Welcomes Newcomers — a podcast about the Jones Library ESL Program by UMass students; read the transcript (PDF)
- Video: "Library Chat" about the Library's Role in Economic & Social Justice — a conversation with Lev Ben-Ezra (Director of the Amherst Survival Center), Judith Roberts (Director of the Literacy Project), and Lynne Weintraub (Jones Library ESL & Citizenship Coordinator) (January 7, 2021)
- Accessibility Review & Recommendations (PDF) — by Kuhn Riddle Architects (June 10, 2020)
- Video: "Library Chat" about the Accessibility Report — a conversation with Aelan Tierney of Kuhn Riddle Architects (August 6, 2020)
- Why Do We Need to Expand the Jones Library for ESL? (PDF) — by library staff
Additional Articles about the Role of Libraries in Social and Economic Justice
- Remembering Carnegie’s Legacy by Vartan Gregorian (American Libraries, September 30, 2019)
- An overview of the Social Role of Libraries by the American Library Assocation (ALA)
- Race and Place: A Personal Account of Unequal Access by ALA Executive Director Tracie Hall (American Libraries, April 23, 2020)
- Front Lines and Fault Lines: Embarking on the Next Great Era of Library Services by ALA Executive Director Tracie Hall (American Libraries, June 1, 2020)
- Let Our Legacy be Justice: Confronting Racism and Prioritizing Action by ALA Executive Director Tracie Hall (American Libraries, July 1, 2020)
Recommended Resources
- Two Energy Experts Endorse Jones Library Renovation Project (Amherst Current, October 14, 2021) — which includes two statements:
- Carbon Sequestration Makes Jones Renovation an Investment in Sustainability — by Todd Holland, a member of the Jones Library Sustainability Committee and a resident of Amherst. He is a mechanical engineer and specialist in energy efficiency who for the past 15 years has a been analyzing, implementing, and managing projects for facilities departments at five local colleges. At Hampshire College he was on the team that got the R.W. Kern Center certified as the world’s 17th Living Building.
- Leading the Way to a Low-Carbon Amherst — by Sara Draper, director of the R.W. Kern Center at Hampshire College, a net-zero energy building
- Column: Jones Library Project Would Create a Sustainable and Resilient Building — by Alex Lefebvre and Lee Jennings (Amherst Bulletin, January 13, 2021)
- Video: "Library Chat" about Sustainability — a presentation by the Sustainability Committee followed by a Q&A (September 3, 2020)
- Jones Library Sustainability Goals Schematic Design Package (PDF) — by Finegold Alexander Architects (August 5, 2020)
- Design & Sustainability Presentation (PDF) — by Finegold Alexander Architects (October 8, 2020)
THE NEEDS OF TEENS, CHILDREN, AND FAMILIES
Recommended Resources
- Video: Reasons to Expand our Children's Room (Part 1) — by library staff
- Video: Reasons to Expand our Children's Room (Part 2) — by library staff
- Why Do We Need to Expand the Jones Library Young Adult Space? (PDF) — by library staff
Recommended Resources
- Video: "Library Chat" about Historic Preservation of Special Collections — a conversation with Jane Wald (Executive Director of the Emily Dickinson Museum), Robin Fordham (from the Amherst Historic Commission and Community Preservation Act Committee), Mike Kelly (Director of the Amherst College Special Collections department), and Cyndi Harbeson (Head of the Jones Library’s Special Collections department) (October 22, 2020)
- Video: "Library Chat" about Historic Preservation of the Building — a conversation with Steve Schreiber (Professor and Chair of the Department of Architecture at the UMass Amherst) and Eldra-Dominique Walker (Assistant Professor, M. Design Graduate Program Director at the UMass Amherst) (December 3, 2020)
- Revised Community Preservation Act (CPA) Grant Application Packet (PDF) (August 25, 2020)
- Initial Community Preservation Act (CPA) Grant Application Packet (PDF) (January 23, 2020)
The Significance of Historic Preservation
December 3, 2020
View more library chats & presentations about our project.
Project Updates
October 27, 2022: The Town Manager and Library Trustees signed an Amendment to Memorandum of Agreement (PDF).
September 13, 2022: Library Trustees prepared a packet of information (PDF) for the Town Council.
June 10, 2022: Members of our Building Committee toured the new public library buildings in Holyoke, Medford, and Woburn and recorded these video tours.
May 23, 2022: Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund (CFF) awards $200,000 to the Jones Library Capital Campaign; read the press release (PDF).
January 24, 2022: The Town's Historical Commission has created a webpage with information about the Jones Library Historic Structure Report.
August 4, 2021: The Town Manager has issued a memo announcing his appointments to the Jones Library Building Committee (PDF).
July 12, 2021: The Town Manager is seeking members to serve on the Jones Library Building Committee (JLBC), which will oversee the design and construction of the Jones Library Restoration and Expansion.
April 5, 2021: The Amherst Town Council decisively approved the Library’s renovation/expansion plan by appropriating the Town’s $15.8 million share of the cost. The Council also authorized the Town to enter into an agreement with the Library’s Trustees to supply the remaining $6.6 million of the total cost of the project.
March 29, 2021: The Amherst Area Chamber of Commerce sent us this statement of support for our project. Many thanks to the Chamber staff and Board of Directors!
February 22, 2021: View the Library Trustees' video presentation to the Town Council (~65 mins) about the building project. (This video was created by the Jones Library's IT Specialist Hank Allan.)
January 27, 2021: Read Sustaining the Future by Revisiting our Historic Properties (PDF), an article by Finegold Alexander Architects about the Jones Library building project which will appear in February 2021 edition of High Profile.
December 12, 2020: Read Amherst Can't Afford to Reject the Jones Library Renovation/Expansion Project by Lee Edwards, Trustee and Co-Chair of the Development Committee for the Friends of the Jones Library, and Kent W. Faerber, Co-Chair of the Development Committee for the Friends of the Jones Library.
November 26, 2020: Read Urging Amherst Town Council to vote for Jones Library renovation (Daily Hampshire Gazette) by Nancy Campbell and Marian Walker, Co-Presidents, Friends of the Jones Libraries.
October 22, 2020: Read a Memo to the Community Preservation Act Committee regarding our Revised CPA Grant Application (October 22, 2020).
October 19, 2020: Read Why It Is Important to Move Forward with the Plan to Renovate and Expand the Jones Library by Trustee President Austin Sarat & Director Sharon Sharry.
September 10, 2020: See the updated presentation entitled Schematic/Sustainability Study (September 8, 2020) (PDF) prepared by Finegold Alexander Architects. UPDATE: See the revised presentation (October 8, 2020).
September 1, 2020: Read our Revised Community Preservation Act (CPA) Grant Application Packet (August 25, 2020) (PDF).
August 25, 2020: Read the Revised Jones Library Sustainability Goals Schematic Design Package (PDF) prepared by Finegold Alexander Architects.
July 2, 2020: Today's Joint Jones Library Feasibility & Design (agenda & packet) / Sustainability Committee Meeting (agenda & packet) included a discussion of the sustainability and accessibility reports linked below. UPDATE (July 24, 2020): View a video recording of the meeting.
July 1, 2020: Read the Jones Library Sustainability Goals Schematic Design Package (PDF) prepared by Finegold Alexander Architects. NOTE: This document has been updated; see the revised package above (August 25).
June 10, 2020: Read the Jones Library Accessibility Review and Recommendations (PDF) prepared by Kuhn Riddle Architects.
May 8, 2020: Listen to Designing for Sustainability: An Interview with Finegold Alexander Architects, the first podcast in a series called "Building Literacy: Public Library Construction" from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
February 27, 2020: See the full presentation by Finegold Alexander Architects of their Revised Schematic Concept (February 26, 2020) (PDF). Or the abridged version (PDF).
February 11, 2020: Read our Proposal for an Accessibility Study and Review of Required Building Improvements (February 5, 2020) (PDF).
January 23, 2020: Read our Community Preservation Act (CPA) Grant Application Packet (January 23, 2020) (PDF).
January 22, 2020: Here are 2 new documents: Town of Amherst Capital Investment Projects - December 2019 Listening Sessions Report (January 21, 2020) (PDF), Sustainability Memo from Finegold Alexander Architects - with Sustainability Committee Comments (January 8, 2020) (PDF).
December 2, 2019: The Town posted a video overview of the four proposed capital investment projects. Watch the video (22:48) from the beginning or go directly to the portion of the video about the library project (starting at 5:19).
November 4, 2019: The Town Council will hold four Listening Sessions to collect comments from the public on the need for four major capital investments facing the Town and to provide guidance to the Town Council in setting priorities. Members of the School Committee and Jones Library Trustees have assisted in development of the information for these sessions and will be present at each session. The Listening Sessions will be held on the following dates and times:
- Tuesday, Dec 3rd at 3:30 p.m. at Bangs Center, Large Activity Room
- Tuesday, Dec 3rd at 7:00 p.m. at Bangs Center, Large Activity Room
- Monday, Dec 9th at 3:30 p.m. at Fort River Elementary School, Library
- Monday, Dec 9th at 6:00 p.m. at Wildwood Elementary School, Library
July 2019: The Jones Library moved up to 2nd on the wait list for a construction grant.
February 27, 2018: See the Construction Fact Sheet (PDF) for our project from the Masschusetts Board of Library Commissioners.
February 26, 2018: See the General Conditions of the Interior of the Jones Library (PDF).
July 31, 2017: The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners recently posted a resource guide entitled Libraries on the Waiting List for a Construction Grant: What now?
July 13, 2017: Today, we learned that 9 libraries were awarded a construction grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners for FY2018, and 24 libraries were placed on the wait list. The Jones Library is 9th on the wait list. (See the MBLC’s Press Release for more information.) This is excellent news for Amherst as it will give us plenty of time to work with the community to determine its design priorities. We look forward to the next stage of this process. Please stay tuned for further details.
May 1, 2017: See our Deferred Maintenance Estimate (PDF).
April 28, 2017 (Updated): Many thanks to the Amherst Historical Society (PDF letter), the Friends of the Library (PDF letter), the Burnett Gallery Committee (PDF letter), the Literacy Project (PDF letter), Amherst's institutional librarians (Amherst College, Hampshire College, and UMass Amherst; PDF letter), Amherst's public school librarians (PDF letter), and our ESL students (PDF letter) for their support of our project.
February 15, 2017 (Updated): See our updated Space Needs Table (PDF), Key Milestones (PDF), our application designs and renderings (below), and our mailing to Town Meeting – Narrative (PDF), Floor Plans (PDF).
January 26, 2017: We have submitted our 2016-2017 Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) Construction Grant Round Application (PDF)!
Jones Library Building Committee (JLBC)
Construction Grant Round Monthly Reports
- Monthly Report - 2023-04 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2023-03 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2023-02 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2023-01 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2022-12 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2022-11 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2022-10 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2022-09 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2022-08 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2022-07 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2022-06 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2022-05 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2022-04 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2022-03 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2022-02 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2022-01 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2021-12 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2021-11 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2021-10 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2021-09 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2021-08 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2021-07 (PDF)
- Monthly Report - 2021-06 (PDF)
Design Process & Building Program
- Jones Library 100% Design Development Drawings - Finegold Alexander Architects (May 3, 2023) (PDF)
- Revised Schematic Designs - Finegold Alexander (December 15, 2022) (PDF)
- Space Planning Recommendations - Prepared by Anna Popp (MLS) - April 2012 (PDF)
- Project Schedule - Prepared by Collier's Project Leaders (November 30, 2022) (PDF)
- Contract Amendment - Finegold Alexander Architects (November 7, 2022) (PDF)
- Project Schedule - Prepared by Collier's Project Leaders (September 16, 2022) (PDF)
- Value Management List - Prepared by Collier's Project Leaders (September 9, 2022) (PDF)
- Schematic Designs - Finegold Alexander (July 1, 2022) (PDF)
- Revised Schematic Designs and Exterior Materials Presentation - Finegold Alexander (June 24, 2022) (PDF)
- Building Committee Presentation - Updated Schematic Designs and Inclusive Restroom Designs (June 2022) (PDF)
- Exterior Materials Rendered Options - Finegold Alexander (June 7, 2022) (PDF)
- Exterior Materials Presentation - Finegold Alexander (June 2, 2022) (PDF)
- Revised Schematic Designs (May 27, 2022) (PDF)
- Jones Library & Kestrel Land Trust Proposal - Presentation to Amherst Historical Commission (May 18, 2022) (PDF)
- Jones Library & Kestrel Land Trust Proposal (April 20, 2022) (PDF)
- Building Project Schedule from Colliers International (May 9, 2022) (PDF)
- Jones Library Preservation Restriction Agreement - Acceptance Letter from the Massachusetts Historical Commission (April 29, 2022) (PDF)
- Jones Library Preservation Restriction Agreement - Signed (March 16, 2022) (PDF)
- Jones Library Preservation Restriction Agreement (February 16, 2022) (PDF)
- Jones Library Historic Structure Report (PDF)
- Jones Library Historic Structure Report Presentation to Historical Commission and Library Trustees (PDF) (January 12, 2022)
- Finegold Alexander Article - Sustaining the Future by Revisiting our Historic Properties (PDF)
- Schematic/Sustainability Study - Updated Presentation by Finegold Alexander Architects (October 8, 2020) (PDF)
- Schematic/Sustainability Study - Updated Presentation by Finegold Alexander Architects (September 8, 2020) (PDF)
- Jones Library Sustainability Goals Schematic Design Package - Revised (Aug 30, 2020) (PDF)
- Sustainability Committee Recommendations (August 26, 2020) (PDF)
- Jones Library Accessibility Review and Recommendations (June 10, 2020) (PDF)
- Finegold Alexander - Abridged Presentation - Revised Schematic Concept (February 26, 2020) (PDF)
- Finegold Alexander - Full Presentation - Revised Schematic Concept (February 26, 2020) (PDF)
- Proposal for an Accessibility Study and Review of Required Building Improvements (February 5, 2020) (PDF)
- Sustainability Memo from Finegold Alexander Architects - with Sustainability Committee Comments (January 8, 2020) (PDF)
- Jones Library FY2017 - FY2021 Plan for Library Service (October 6, 2016) (PDF)
- FY2018 Action Plan (PDF)
- Hazardous Materials Inspection Report (September 29, 2016) (PDF)
- Existing Conditions Report and Concept Design Structural Narrative (August 23, 2016) (PDF)
- DRAFT Building Project Budget Summary (August 15, 2016) (PDF)
- DRAFT Building Project Budget (August 15, 2016) (PDF)
- Presentation by Finegold Alexander Architects (October 26, 2016) (PDF)
- Presentation by Finegold Alexander Architects (August 11, 2016) (PDF)
- Presentation by Finegold Alexander Architects (July 27, 2016) (PDF)
- Presentation by Finegold Alexander Architects (July 19, 2016) (PDF)
- Presentation by Finegold Alexander Architects (May 10, 2016) (PDF)
- Jones Library Building Draft Designs (July 8, 2016) (PDF)
- Jones Library Building Program - Space Needs Table (Revised November 2, 2018) (PDF)
- Jones Library Building Program - Space Needs Table (Revised December 2016) (PDF)
- Jones Library Building Program - Space Needs Table (Revised August 11, 2016) (PDF)
- Jones Library Building Program - Space Needs Table (Revised July 12, 2016) (PDF)
- Jones Library Building Program - Space Needs Table (Revised April 13, 2016) (PDF)
- Jones Library Building Program (July 2, 2015) (PDF)
- Service Population Calculation (PDF)
- Square Footage Changes (May 12, 2016) (PDF)
- Project Timeline (April 7, 2016) (PDF)
- Building Program Acceptance Letter (July 17, 2015) (PDF)
- Long Range Plan for the Amherst Town Libraries: FY2017 - FY2021 (June 4, 2015) (PDF)
Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program
- Construction Fact Sheet - Jones Library Project - Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (PDF)
- General Conditions of the Interior of the Jones Library (February 13, 2018) (PDF)
- Grant Review Team - Review Worksheet
- Grant Review Team - Tally Sheet
- Grant Certification Letter to MBLC (May 24, 2017) (PDF)
- Deferred Maintenance Estimate - Jones Library Building (May 1, 2017) (PDF)
- Town Meeting Mailing - Narrative (March 27, 2017) (PDF)
- Town Meeting Mailing - Floor Plans (March 27, 2017) (PDF)
- Key Milestones for our Building Project (February 15, 2017) (PDF)
- Jones Library 2016-2017 MBLC Construction Grant Round Application (January 26, 2017) (PDF)
- Color Version of Designs Included in our Grant Application (January 26, 2017) (PDF)
- Jones Library Building Program - Space Needs Table (Revised December 2016) (PDF)
- Statement of Support from Amherst's Institutional Librarians (March 13, 2017) (PDF)
- Statement of Support from the Literacy Project (February 24, 2017) (PDF)
- Statement of Support from the Amherst Historical Society (February 6, 2017) (PDF)
- Statement of Support from the Burnett Gallery Committee (January 3, 2017) (PDF)
- Statement of Support from the Friends of the Library (December 5, 2016) (PDF)
- Massachusetts Historical Commission Project Notification Form & Quad Map (October 31, 2016) (PDF)
- LEED Project Checklist (October 28, 2016) (PDF)
- Jones Library Letter of Intent (October 6, 2016) (PDF)
- Statement of Support from Jones Library ESL Students (April 28, 2017) (PDF)
- Statement of Support from Amherst's Public School Librarians (March 20, 2017) (PDF)
Budget & Fundraising
- Amendment to Memorandum of Agreement - Between the Town and the Library (October 27, 2022) (PDF)
- Sample Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment (FF&E) Scope - Prepared by Collier's Project Leaders (September 19, 2022) (PDF)
- Value Management List - Prepared by Collier's Project Leaders (September 9, 2022) (PDF)
- Packet for Town Council (September 13, 2022) (PDF)
- Capital Campaign Overview (August 23, 2022) (PDF)
- Total Project Budget Analysis by Colliers International - Final (February 25, 2021) (PDF)
- Memo to Community Preservation Act Committee Regarding Jones Library Revised FY2021 CPA Grant Application (October 22, 2020) (PDF)
- Revised Jones Library Community Preservation Act (CPA) Grant Application Packet (August 25, 2020) (PDF)
- Schematic Design Cost Report - Renovation and Addition (June 15, 2020) (PDF)
- Schematic Design Cost Report - Renovation and Addition - Fennessy Consulting Services (September 19, 2016) (PDF)
- Jones Library Community Preservation Act (CPA) Grant Application Packet (January 23, 2020) (PDF)
- Review of Long Term Financials - Five Board Meeting (September 14, 2016) (PDF)
Community Feedback
- Public Comments from Jones Library Open House (May 1, 2022) (PDF)
- Town of Amherst Capital Investment Projects - December 2019 Listening Sessions Report (January 21, 2020) (PDF)
- Public Comments about Current Jones Building (Updated October 6, 2016) (PDF)
- Let Your Voice Be Heard (August 17, 2016) (PDF)
- Jones Library Listening Tour - Results Summary (January 28, 2016) (PDF)
- Survey Results Summary (PDF)
- Survey Results Summary - Supplement (PDF)
- Focus Group Results - Summary of Findings (PDF)
Site & Zoning
- What Could We Do With Our Existing Footprint? (April 2016) (PDF)
- Planning Board Report - Article 31 - Zoning Map - 67 Amity Street (PDF)
- Library and Museum Zoning Map (PDF)
- Library Expansion Study Area (PDF)
- Massing Models - Diagrams (PDF)
- Massing Models - Description (April 7, 2016) (PDF)
- 67 Amity Street Rezoning Map (PDF)
- Historical Society Partnership (April 7, 2016) (PDF)
- Garden Statement from the Trustees of the Jones Library (March 28, 2016) (PDF)
- Jones Library Trustees Propose Changes to Zoning Map for 67 Amity Street (PDF)
- Historical Society Zoning Maps (PDF)
- Site Analysis by Planning Director Jonathan Tucker (April 7, 2015) (PDF)
- Site Analysis Map (April 7, 2015) (PDF)
Planning & Design Grant
Additional Information
For more information about our project, including additional video recordings of "Library Chats" and presentations, see our additional information page.