4pm Tuesday 28 June 2005 Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Main Library. Cambridge Public Library

A Message from the City Manager's Office

Jun 20, 2005

Groundbreaking Ceremony for New Main Library June 28. Parking Info Added

The City of Cambridge will host a special groundbreaking ceremony for the new Main Library Expansion Project Tuesday, June 28, at 4pm 449 Broadway, Cambridge.

Parking for event available at CRLS garage. Please enter from Ellery Street.

For nearly a decade, library trustees and staff, city leaders, and the community have envisioned a state-of-the-art main library for the city.

The $50 million construction project is scheduled to begin in August and expected to last 27 months.

City officials anticipate opening the new and restored library buildings in late fall of 2007.

Throughout the design process, the architects have been guided by the requirements for excellent library services and the history of the library building, which is listed on the National and State Registers of Historic Places and is located in a designated historic district.

The development of the site, the inter-relationship between the library, the Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School and the neighborhood have all been of critical importance to the design of the new Main Library - a "green" building that will be: * A place of pride for the City of Cambridge;

* A library that serves Cambridge citizens;

* A creative balance between old and new;

* A harmonious relationship between the library building and the park;

* A strengthened relationship between the CRLS and the Library.

The 102,000 square-foot new library will be fully accessible for those with disabilities and will include: . a newly created young adult area

. silent reading room

. a climatically controlled Cambridge History Room

. spaces for public meetings and library programs

. a spectacular children's room

. significantly more public access computers

. a computer training center

. greatly increased seating and places to work

. as well as room to grow for at least 20 years.

It will also include a 47,000 square foot, underground parking garage for 70 cars, under what is now the historic building's front lawn.

When the garage is completed, four feet of soil will be placed over it to allow for new landscaping, including several large caliper trees, to be planted.

"Library services are amongst the most valued by our Cambridge citizens, and this new facility will aptly serve the needs of our community for the next 100 years", said City Manager Robert W. Healy.

During the estimated 27-month construction phase, the Cambridge Public Library (CPL) will operate out of a temporary location in the Longfellow School at 359 Broadway.

CPL re-opened for business at the new location on Monday, June 20.

Hours of operation are Monday - Thursday 9am - 9:00pm Friday - Saturday 9am - 5:00pm

Children's Room hours are Monday 9am - 8pm Tuesday - Thursday 9am - 6pm Friday - Saturday 9am - 5pm