Growing demand drives major library renovation project

Lifetime resident Mary Coughlan has been going to the Waltham Public Library since childhood, a tradition that began with her mother’s encouragement. 

“I got my first library card when I was in the first grade,” Coughlan said. “On Saturdays my mother just wanted some peace, so the girl across the street and I, we’d come to the library in the morning and take home six books from the Children’s Department.” 

Weekly trips to the library to check out books have remained a part of Coughlan’s routine for decades, a habit she has passed down to her own daughter. 

“Even my daughter, who’s in high school, she is too cool for anybody, but she’d say, ‘I love the library,’” Coughlan said.

Deb Fasulo, the library’s assistant director, said this love for the library is why library officials are planning a major renovation.

Coughlan and her daughter are part of a total 262,000 library visits in 2025, according to a 2025 impact report. The library had  27,000 total library card holders and issued 3,000 new library cards in 2025.

Expanding to meet community needs

Fasulo said the library’s use continues to grow, proving the need for a renovation. 

“Our current space lacks layout, and it just interferes with us growing,” Fasulo said “Our statistics show that we are on a really major growth path right now; all of our statistics are growing.” 

The renovation is projected to cost $79 million and take 18 to 24 months to complete. The project will expand the building, adding 29,000 square feet to the original library, which was built in 1915 and last renovated in the 1990s. 

Fasulo and library director Kelly Linehan have been working for two years with the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners to plan the renovation. The project passed the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program Level of Design Independent Review in early April, positioning the city to secure $19,045,750 in state funding for the work.

Following this approval, Waltham City Council at its April 21 meeting authorized $79,050,136 to cover the total estimated project cost. 

The council has yet to approve the final design, but in the next 12 months the Waltham building team will develop and refine the schematic plan for the new library. 

Fasulo said officials aim to begin construction in fall 2027, and while it’s happening library services will likely be relocated to another building. 

The renovation will allow for needed modernization, Fasulo said. 

“The current renovation was built in 1994, which was sort of like five minutes before the internet really exploded,” Fasulo said. “Plug sockets aren’t as available as they need to be. Some of the walls are brick and getting Wi-Fi and the public address system through that isn’t the easiest thing. We really need improvements to the building.” 

Fasulo said the renovation will also allow more physical space for the library’s many growing programs in high demand by the community. 

“Having a bigger space, a more appropriate space, a really well-equipped modern space, is going to mean that … we can do more of what we do everyday,” she said. 

More than books

The Waltham library offered 1,300 programs and 1,700 hours of programming in 2025. This programming included story times, English classes, yoga on the lawn, dance workshops, financial planning courses and a Real Talk program for teens. 

In the Makerspace, patrons have access to a 3D printer, a Cricut cutting machine – a computerized device designed to cut, write, draw and score dozens of material types, a laser cutter, a printer, a sewing machine and craft materials. 

Its library of things collection includes a ukulele, bongo drums, a tripod, a telescope and an electromagnetic field tester.

Several classes are held every month for all ages. 

The library also has a vast collection of books, ranging from young adult novels to nonfiction books and magazines. Patrons can access audio and electronic books online from the library using the Libby app. 

In addition to books, the library provides toys, games and puzzles for patrons to enjoy. 

Coughlan said the library has something for everyone. 

“Everybody could use it for something,” she said. “You can look up legal documents, you can look up news. You don’t have to subscribe to magazines. They’re all in here.” 

Chris Alderman, a Waltham resident who uses the library frequently, said the programs provided by the library are important for the community.  

“Every community has to have a vibrant library because there are so few places where community people can get together and bring their kids,” she said. 

Alderman said she supports the renovation project because “a big library is important.” 

Fasulo said part of the planning process for the renovation was looking at the growth of Waltham in the next 30 years and how the library can best meet this growth. 

“We really aim to be a habit in people’s lives, and it shows in how many people very, very regularly come to every story time, that come to every Makerspace program,” she said. “Waltham is a city that loves its library.”