Main Library Renovation

The Worcester Public Library, Worcester Public Library Foundation, and City of Worcester officials celebrated the renovation of the Main Library at a Ribbon Cutting Ceremony on Thursday, August 12, 2021. You can find pictures of our renovation on our Pinterest page.

Project Overview

The Worcester Public Library completed a renovation that is critical to our ability to continue serving the needs of our community, while also contributing to the renaissance taking place in downtown Worcester. As one of the City’s greatest assets, it is crucial that our Library continues to grow and change to meet the needs of our patrons.

The Main Library was last renovated in 2001. Since that time, technology has dramatically changed the way people use library services. The spaces within public libraries need to evolve in order to meet the needs of current and future library users. The population of the City of Worcester has also changed during that time, and will continue to change in the years to come. The Library structure continues to evolve in order to better support new technologies being deployed, new programs being offered, and a more diverse population.

Renovation Improvements

The renovation project has opened up the Library to the Worcester Common by creating a new entrance on Franklin Street. This entrance will help us contribute to the vibrancy of the up-and-coming neighborhood, while making it easier to connect with people in the heart of downtown.

In addition to the new entry, the covered walkway along Salem Street was enclosed,
adding 8,000 square feet of space to the first floor. This enclosure has created more
public areas, and allowed for the creation of a digital studio and The Fletcher Family
Innovation Center, as well as the new Hanover Teen Space, and an updated audiovisual area and bookstore.

Just inside the new front door, the new Newspapers & Magazines section welcomes patrons with plenty of natural sunlight, comfortable seating, and views of the city. This new space includes quiet study areas, a computer lab, and a reference desk.

Finally, the children’s room has been relocated to the third floor, offering a more secure location, with its own restroom facilities and controlled points of entry. The new Arthur M. and Martha R. Pappas Children’s Center fosters independence, as well as group engagement with a variety of spaces and activities for children of all ages.