Library Groundbreaking Projected for May 2013

A representative from Tiverton's Library Building Committee reported at Monday's council meeting that constructio on the town's new library would begin in May and likely last 16 to 18 months.

Since voters approved a $7 million bond on Nov. 8, 2011, several trustee groups have been hard at work fundraising money to build a new state-of-the-art library for Tiverton.

According to Dr. Leon Hoyer of the Essex Library's building committe, more than $3.4 million was raised to aid in construction costs. The entire project is estimated at $11.6 million.

"It is an exciting plan and I think this is going to be a resource for the community in so many ways," said Hoyer. "I am glad to report that we're well on our way and that the next steps are going to be difficult, but very, very possible."

The new library will include a new large public meeting space that can accomodate up to 100 people. The room will be accessible to community groups as a meeting space after regular library hours. The library will have more room to accomodate different age groups of children.

In meetings with the Tiveron Planning Board, members discussed creating a network of footpaths that could contribute connecting the library with other town meeting and centers and toward making Tiverton a more walkable community.

According to Hoyer the library should take between 16 and 18 months to complete and any construction ovecharges would be the funding responsibility of the Library Board of Trustees.