WESTFIELD – The Commission for Citizens with Disabilities invited Daniel Paquette, the director of the Westfield Athenaeum to its meeting on Tuesday, to discuss ADA renovations to the library.
Westfield Athenaeum director Daniel Paquette presents library renovations plans to members of the Commission for Citizens with Disabilities. (Photo by Amy Porter)
Chair Madeline Nicoletti said she previously attended the open house, and wanted the other members of the commission to see the plans.
“It’s fantastic,” Nicoletti said. Members agreed, saying how encouraging it was that the library took the initiative on their own without any prompt, and identified the needs.
During his presentation, Paquette said the renovations started by looking for a way to install a universally accessible bathroom on the first floor.
“If we’re doing this, why aren’t we doing this,” Paquette said of the initial conversations, which he said soon turned into a $1.5 million project.
The renovations will include a new accessible entrance in the rear for the children’s library that will be redesigned with an arch to match the architecture of the building. Also in the plans are two accessible bathrooms in the adult section, two outside of the Lang auditorium, one behind the circulation desk, and one in the children’s library.
“We’ll be going from one somewhat accessible bathroom to having six in the building,” Paquette said.
He said the desks in the library will be lowered to ADA and child-friendly height. The library is also making its elevators more user-friendly, and will add two van-accessible spots to its parking area.
“We’re really trying to improve the way people interact with the Athenaeum,” Paquette said.
One of the reasons for the high cost of the renovation was the discovery of asbestos in the building. Paquette said they discovered asbestos tiles under layers of rugs in the children’s library, and also in the ceiling upstairs. He said each discovery added $300,000 to the price.
“I want to applaud you and the library for taking the initiative,” said Commission member Demetrios Kanavaros. He also asked whether they had considered making the front entrance accessible.
Paquette said the two sets of steps and small landing in between won’t allow for a ramp.
“People love the look of the building. The only change in the exterior is in the back of the building,” Paquette said.
Paquette said that the library kicked off a fundraising campaign two weeks ago. He said the library has already received a generous donation of $850,000 from the Community Preservation Commission, and $20,000 from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners which will be used for planning and design purposes. They now have $600,000 to go, and are hoping for help from the public. Paquette noted this campaign is the first time in 50 years that the library has asked the public to support renovations and improvements to the building.
Commission vice chair Andrea Pianka said the plans show that you can do something to an older building. “Maybe others will follow suit,” Pianka said.
