Urging the Mayor to move forward tomorrow on the Letter of Intent to apply for the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) grant to help pay for major capital improvements to the Central Library.

WHEREAS, The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) provides grants on an extended cycle, every 5-8 years, to improve libraries in communities across the Commonwealth; and WHEREAS, The Central Library has long needed capital improvements and has served in even its diminished state as a vital community resource before and throughout the COVID pandemic; and WHEREAS, The extensive capital demands of this city require us to be open to all assistance possible and stretch our resources as far as they can reach; and WHEREAS, The resources of Central Library are essential for the elderly, the very young, and our neighbors experiencing homelessness among many others; and WHEREAS, The MPLCP can provide over $20M in project funding, including planning, design, and construction assistance; and WHEREAS, The funding for this construction would not require matching funding until 2026, with construction not to begin before 2027; and WHEREAS, The full details of this endeavor are publicly available at <https://mblc.state.ma.us/programs-and-support/construction/2023-general-info.php>; and WHEREAS, The application to proceed to final funding would not need to be submitted prior to May 2024, but only if the Letter of Intent is submitted this Friday April 28 prior to 4pm; and WHEREAS, Failure to act in this moment delays state assistance via this program for a full capital improvement cycle and hinders our ability to be flexible in our capital considerations for the coming years; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That this City Council urges the Mayor to sign the Letter of Intent to apply for the MPLCP grant to help pay for major capital improvements to the Central Library and submit it to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners without delay.