Conditions Assessment & Facilities Master Plan

Final Report

The final report was completed on September 10, 2024 and presented to the Library Board of Trustees on October 29, 2024. The four primary sections of the report are; Conditions Assessment, Library as a Community Asset, Future Strategies, and a Prioritized Treatment Plan.

Read the Report

APL Conditions Assessment and Facilities Master Plan Report

Report Addendum - Circulation Desk Relocation Proposal

Press Release

Background

The library leadership, in coordination with the Department of Public Works, determined that a comprehensive assessment was warranted to understand the challenges and opportunities in the existing public library building and create a roadmap for facility management moving forward to ensure our building remains a safe, accessible, and inspiring space for all patrons.

The Library Board of Trustees Preservation Subcommittee began in 2019 to understand the overarching preservation and conservation concerns of the historic building, and concluded in consultation with Amesbury Historical Commission, that efforts needed to begin in earnest to ensure historically significant features of the original building weren’t compromised or lost forever. Additionally, ongoing day-to-day programmatic and operational challenges identified by library staff during their work, combined with a comprehensive strategic planning process completed in 2022, established that community needs cannot be met in the current facility as it is configured today.

Read the RFQ

APL Conditions Assessment and Facilities Master Plan RFQ

Timeline

Outreach

We formed a strategic group with representation from the Board of Trustees, library staff and community members to work with the consultants to inform the process. In addition, the consultants conducted numerous interviews, a visioning workshop with the strategic group, and youth survey.

Public Forum

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Amesbury Public Library, and its Board of Trustees held a public forum to discuss our ongoing Conditions Assessment and Facilities Master Plan. The forum took place at the Costello Center, at 68 Elm Street at 7:00 pm. Consultant, Bruner Cott Architects, presented the preliminary findings with visual slides and a moderated question and answer session with attendees. Registration was not required. There were 51 people in attendance.

Public Forum Recording: 34 minutes ACTV recording, viewable on their website. Presentation only, does not include public discussion.

Public Forum PowerPoint Slides

News Article (also accessible through our online resource America's News)