This is a quick overview to help Auburn residents learn more about the upcoming library expansion warrant. For additional information, please visit our FAQs and From the Director pages.
HOW WE GOT TO THIS POINT
- Since the 1980s, it was recognized that the library did not have room to grow to fulfill the service needs of the expanding community.
- A small expansion took place in 2004. A consultant hired in 2021confirmed that the library was too small to serve its population.
- In 2022 and 2024, voters passed funding for the library to hire an architect, construction team and create a series of expansion plans, along with the proper survey and water table testing.
- In March 2026, a warrant of approx. $7.2 million will be put in front of Auburn voters for library expansion.
WHY EXPAND?
- The current space (1,800 square feet) is drastically too small to accommodate patron usage, which has increase by about 60 percent since 2022.
- Children and Young Adult circulation has increased by nearly 50 percent in just two years. About 65 percent of our circulation now goes toward children’s service, and all that in a space no bigger than a master bedroom.
- Library usage for events has dramatically increased state-wide. Auburn is no different. Our tiny, front room is no longer safe, comfortable or practical to accommodate library events, workshops or readings.
WHAT WILL THE EXPANSION BRING TO AUBURN?
- An expanded library will serve residents of all ages and become a treasured place that brings us together. A spacious children’s room; dedicated teen room; private study room; a reference board room and — the prize jewel of the expansion– a Community Center to accommodate over 100 people are just a few of the special spaces.
- The library’s founder designed the building to be a museum as well as a library, but we’ve been too small to display or highlight our enormous museum collection. The expansion will enable us to return to our original charter and provide museum space in the original building.
THE BOTTOM LINE
- The plans call for the library to expand from about 1,800 square feet to about 9,500 square feet, in line with libraries in similar sized towns.
- Once the warrant passes, the timeline from plan to completion would be about two years.
- The cost of build out will be approximately $7.2 million.
- We will seek to offset the cost of furnishing and initial set-up through grants, donations and fundraising.
HOW CAN YOU GET INVOLVED?
- This fall, the library will hold several town-wide listening sessions and an open house to expand on the details of the expansion and answer questions.
- Please reach out to library director Dan Szczesny for information at director@griffinfree.org.
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