FITCHBURG — The Fitchburg Public Library Board of Trustees has pledged $1 million to the ongoing capital campaign to fund the renovation and expansion of the downtown landmark.
The public library is in the midst of a transformative $40 million construction project that will completed later in 2026. The renovated library is designed to serve the community’s changing needs for the next 50 years.
Funding sources for the project include a $12.5 million grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners Library Construction Program; $12 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds allocated by the City of Fitchburg; $12 million in bond funding by the city; and the ongoing $3.5 million Opening a World of Learning Capital Campaign.
The Board of Trustees’ pledge will come from the Wallace Trust Fund, created when the library’s Wallace Building was constructed in the late 1960s. The trust fund was established to support the library’s future capital needs.
“We have guarded these funds carefully, and invested them prudently,” said Matthew Bruun, chairman of the Board of Trustees. “With this transformative renovation and expansion project, the time has come to invest these dollars. I would like to thank my fellow trustees for their unanimous support of this pledge, and again recognize the value of the philanthropic support of the Wallace family that makes this gift possible.”
The announcement of the donation was made during a steel-topping ceremony held outside the library’s temporary quarters at 166 Boulder Drive in November.
The renovated and expanded library is still under construction but expected to open its doors in late 2026.
The fundraising committee for the project recently announced the Legacy of Learning Community Giving campaign, through which donors may pay tribute to a loved one or promote their business by “reserving” a book in the “read” bookshelf that will be featured in the lobby of the new building. Personalized text will be prominently featured on the book spine to acknowledge the donor’s support. Learn more about the capital project and donating opportunities by visiting fitchburgpubliclibrary.org, and clicking on the “building project” link.
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