South Hadley, West Springfield and West Tisbury. The expansion will not only allow expanded services for the area residents but also with the addition of a new wing make the library more handicap accessible as the new entrance will be located on the street level .Libraries in this grant round are the first to benefit from revised Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP) regulations, approved by the Board in January 2010, which increase the average grant award from 35% to 50% of the eligible costs. The Green Library Incentive, approved by the Board in September 2008, was also enhanced so that libraries can plan energy efficient systems and construction at the outset of the project. All eight libraries plan to obtain the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification, which will qualify them to receive additional state funding.
“The Shute and Parlin Memorial Libraries are an important part of our community, providing much in the form of reading and other media to meet the needs of our children and adult readers. This grant will help the Shute Library to continue to serve those needs into the future,” said Representative Smith.