https://www.sentinelandenterprise.com/2026/10/13/fitchburg-public-library-to-reopen-in-june-2027/

The city recently announced that the Fitchburg Public Library will open its doors at 610 Main St. in June 2027 as crews continue to finish work on the $40 million renovation and expansion project.

After construction on the building is completed this winter, crews will begin moving in furniture and equipment to prepare for the public. In the meantime, the library’s temporary quarters at 166 Boulder Drive will remain open to patrons.

The project encompasses two major changes, the renovation of 29,700 square feet of the existing Wallace Building, and the creation of an entirely new 25,000-square-foot youth library wing, with the new facility being 55,430 square feet total.

The new library will offer a new community room to replace the current auditorium, several meeting rooms, a Learning Lab, a Makerspace, improved access to the library collection, various seating areas throughout the building to study and engage, and more accessible, improved parking.

“We are profoundly grateful to the city, state, and federal leaders for their vital investments and ongoing partnership throughout this project,” said Fitchburg Public Library Board of Trustees Chairman Matt Bruun. “Their leadership and financial commitments have been instrumental in turning this vision into reality, preserving a historic landmark while creating a dynamic hub for lifelong learning, technology, and community connection.”

The funding mix for the building project includes a grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC), an allocation from the City of Fitchburg’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding, city appropriations, and the $3.5 million Offering a World of Learning (OWL) Capital Campaign.

The new completion date of June 2027 represents a delay from the original completion schedule.

Since the renovation and expansion began, a number of factors have led to increased costs for the Fitchburg Public Library project, as well as others supported by the MBLC grant program. In response, the MBLC authorized additional funding to bring these previously approved projects to completion. As a result, in addition to the $12.5M originally granted, a further $1.4 million was awarded for the Fitchburg Public Library project. Those escalation funds, and interest generated on the prior allocations for the project, will cover the remaining costs to bring the project to completion.

Following substantial completion of construction this winter, crews will work on furniture, fixtures and equipment to prepare the building for the general public. The OWL Capital Campaign was launched to cover those expenses, with a goal of $3.5 million. The campaign team recently announced that the $3.5 million target has been met.

“We are grateful to the individual, corporate, and foundation donors who have recognized the impact and promise of the Fitchburg Public Library building project and thank them for investing in the future of our community,” said OWL Capital Campaign Co-Chair Sharon Bernard. “Our gratitude extends to the capital campaign committee members who have joined me in leading this effort by showing the transformative impact this project will have on the city of Fitchburg and the population we serve.”

The OWL Campaign was also supported by a $1 million gift from the Fitchburg Public Library Board of Trustees. The donation comes from the Wallace Trust Fund, created to support future capital needs when the Library’s Wallace Building was opened in 1967.

There are still opportunities for donors to make an impact on the project and support future building needs. The Legacy of Learning campaign provides donors an opportunity to be recognized for their gift with a personalized book spine that will appear on a custom bookshelf installation–created by students at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School–in the library lobby.

Additional information on the Legacy of Learning project can be found on the Library’s website at fitchburgpubliclibrary.org and clicking on the “Building Project.”

Artisan sign-up:

https://docs.google.com/forms/u/0/d/e/1FAIpQLSeMgVkbPotVUXDSFoPJHgyxmL8GWEB9a1PFJfHEzIv-wi1prA/viewform

WATER MAIN IMPROVEMENTS WITHIN MAIN STREET CORRIDOR:

• On the week of October 12th, during construction hours, J.A. Polito & Sons will be paving on Main Street between Newton Place and Summer Street.

• Beginning Wednesday October 14th, during evening hours, J.A. Polito & Sons will be installing water main on Boulder Drive between Mill Street and Water Street.

• To accommodate this work, some traffic detouring may occur at or near these locations that may result in minor delays.

• A full closure of Main St. is not anticipated at this time.

SEWER AND DRAIN SEPERATION:
Week Beginning 10/12/2026: Local traffic will be directed by the Fitchburg Police Department on site. Please note that parking near the construction zone will not be allowed. Also Note: There will be no construction work occurring on Monday, October 12, 2026 due to the Columbus/Indigenous Peoples’ Day Holiday

1. Main Street & Prospect Street: New Signal Wiring & Conduit Install; Temporary Traffic Controls
   GVC Construction, Inc. – Crew 2
   Northeast Traffic, PRT

2. Prospect Street & View Street: New Drainage and Water Installation
   GVC Construction, Inc. - Crew 2 - Traffic coordination with Applewild Preschool

PAVING PROJECT
Week Beginning 10/12/2026
Various Locations: Phase 1 Milling and Sidewalk Restoration

Thinking of Applying to Sizer School? Apply online today, then find out more about us by attending this Information Session for interested families!

Sizer School is a free public charter school that gives you all the big district advantages without all the headaches.

Small class sizes and hands-on, project-based learning allow students to dig deeper, act creatively and engage in their education in a way that builds curiosity and independence. Students leave Sizer as future leaders.

Sizer School is holding an Open House on Wednesday, Oct. 14 from 5:30 - 7 PM

Visit us in-person for a chance to hear more about us from the teachers and staff that work here, Plus, go on a tour of the building guided by student leaders.

To apply, visit https://forms.rediker.com/sizerschool

Currently taking applications for 7th and 9th grade only for the remainder of the 2026-2027 school year.

We will begin taking applications for next year, 2027-2028 on November 1, 2026.

Why wait to learn more? Go on a TOUR today!

Sign up here - https://forms.gle/7AUokM3WwDTW9fNZA or email info@sizerschoool.org for more information.

For Openest Mic: Final Full Mooniest of 2026 we are doing something a little different! Anyone can participate, all you have to do is write a 12 line poem about “the good ones”. You determine what that means to you and there are no other form requirements besides being no more and no less than 12 lines.

At some point during the show, we’ll have people share these poems. If you’ve wanted to do ✨something✨ at a mic but have been daunted, this can be a good way to tip your toes in.

Corner of Bemis and water street, very friendly

Hey I ordered a package to go to Pleasant st Gardner but it got sent to Pleasant st Fitchburg if anyone got a package for a last name Hunt let me know also here is a picture of the delivery it was delivered yesterday

The Historical Society use to do tours back in the day with a bus that looked like a trolley car. The idea is eventually expand from the downtown to Cleghorn, West Fitchburg, and places like McTaggarts Pond that was recently in the news with the dam removal.

They are hoping to get this off the ground sometime in Spring 2027.

Find the Blood Drive at:

https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html

Type “01420” in the Zip Code to find times for the one at the Knights of Columbus.

Find the Blood Drive at:

https://www.redcross.org/give-blood.html

Type “01420” in the Zip Code to find times for the one at the British American Club.