The public-private partnership has evolved over the past 109 years. During the early years, library governance was in the hands of three trustees elected by local churches. Later, two trustees and the Williamsburg Select Board appointed one of the trustees. At the urging of the Meekins Board of Trustees, the Select Board in 1995 appointed a Task Force on Libraries who recommended an elected town library board. Town Meeting approved the by-law to establish this six-person public board in 1995. The new bylaw was to bring both Williamsburg Libraries -- Meekins and Haydenville -- under the governing umbrella of the new Williamsburg Board of Library Trustees. Full public governance of Meekins Library became a reality in 1997 at a Charter signing, at which ownership was transferred to the inhabitants of the town, and governance to the town Board of Library Trustees.

Renovation of Meekins library and construction of a major addition was truly a public- private partnership. This project was funded in part with a $500,000 public bond from the town of Williamsburg, as well as with generous grants from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Massachusetts Historical Commission, and the National Endowment for the Humanities. However, the project would not have been possible without the extraordinary generosity of hundreds of private individuals and foundations, local businesses and organizations, and the timely and courageous assistance of the Friends of the Williamsburg Libraries.

Planning for the project began more than a decade ago. In fall 1992 and again in summer 1995, questionnaires were sent to all postal patrons in Williamsburg and Haydenville. All who expressed an interest were invited to form a building committee. The Meekins Library Building Program was written in February 1994. The program was revised in 1995 and 1996, and was the primary planning document used by the Office of Michael Rosenfeld, Architects, of West Acton.

Initial planning focused on extending the basement of the original Meekins building, but the needs of the Building Program could not be accommodated on the small site. When it became clear that more space was needed, the Friends of the Williamsburg Libraries made the project possible through the purchase of the adjacent Mayer house. For over a year and a half they tried, through every means possible, to move the house. When that proved impossible, the Friends paid to have the house razed.

The Building Committee, appointed by the Board of Library Trustees, met weekly throughout the project. The Committee worked with the general contractor, S & B Management Construction, Inc. ofLudlow, and with the Office of Michael Rosenfeld, to bring the library to the successful completion which was formally opened on September 28, 2003.

Go back to the renovation project.