The New Library - "Center for Innovative Programs in the Humanities"

The Tiverton Library Foundation submitted a proposal in May to the National Endowment for the Humanities requesting a challenge grant of $600,000 to help fund construction of the new Tiverton Public Library. The proposal does much more than seek federal funds. It is an excellent, concrete example of the innovative services and programs that a modern, small-town library can deliver to our community.

The Foundation's proposal is titled Reinventing the Local History Center for the 21st Century, and it promises to make our new library a "center for innovative programs in the humanities." Using cutting edge technology, a Tiverton Cultural Digital Library will be created to record and preserve the documents and artifacts from Tiverton's past. 

Our Town certainly has a history worth preserving. Archeological evidence shows that people have lived in the area for over 6,000 years. Tiverton is the backdrop for the complex story of King Phillip's War and Weetamoo's involvement. There is the "Great Deed" of the Pocasset Purchase in 1680 which granted a large tract of land comprising two-thirds of the present area of Tiverton. Fort Barton is testimony to our Town's part in the American Revolution. And there is our vibrant history of mills, agriculture, and fishing. The NEH grant and matching funds would fund a climate-controlled special collections room, adjacent work spaces, a computer lab, a meeting room and additional exhibition areas. Combined, these would make the new Tiverton Library a hub for local historical and archeological research. Rare or valuable items would be physically stored. Other documents or artifacts from Town Hall, personal collections, historic churches, the Pocassets, Tiverton Historical Society, and Tiverton Historical Cemeteries Commission would be digitized, creating a permanent record that would be available on site and online. The proposal also calls for interviewing and recording "historic memories" of our senior citizens. Currently, about 16% of our town is over 67 years of age. Recording their personal stories and their families' histories will further enrich the Tiverton Cultural Digital Library.

Widespread interest in this proposal has been inspiring. More than 25 Letters of Support have been received from such groups as Amicable Congregational Church, Brown Center for Public Humanities and Cultural Heritage & Haffenreffer Museum of Anthropology, Champlin Foundations, First Baptist Old Stone Church, Friends of Tiverton Libraries, Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, New Bedford Whaling Museum, Pocasset Tribal Council, Public Archeology Laboratory, Tiverton Land Trust, Tiverton School Department, Tiverton Open Space Commission, Town of Tiverton, Union Public Library Association, United Congregational Church of Little Compton, Tiverton Historical Cemeteries Commission, Tiverton Senior Center, Sakonnet Arts Network and the historical societies of Fall River, Little Compton, Portsmouth, Tiverton and Westport. If awarded the NEH grant, the Tiverton Foundation needs to match the grant three to one, that is, raise $1,800,000, which the Foundation plans to do through the Capital Campaign.   

Modern, small-town libraries are so much more than books. They serve as free cultural and life-long learning centers for the community. Preserving Tiverton's past for generations to come is just one way our new library will serve that mission. For questions or comments, please contact us at newlibrary@tivertonlibrary.org. For a detailed summary of the Trustees' plan to build a new library, please visit the New Library pages on the Tiverton Library website. 

On April 28, responding to a unanimous request by the Tiverton Town Council, Representative Jay Edwards introduced House Bill 6089 and Senators Walter Felag and Louis DiPalma introduced Senate Bill 922, both titled "An Act Authorizing The Town of Tiverton To Issue Bonds and Notes in an Amount Not to Exceed $7,000,000 to Finance The Acquisition, Constructing, Building, Furnishing and Equipping of a Public Library."  The bills have been referred to their respective Municipal Government Committees.

According to State law, the legislature must authorize special town elections. We expect that this bill will pass before summer recess, and that voters will be asked to approve a 20-year bond for library construction on November 8, 2011.

Of the total amount borrowed, the Town would be responsible for repaying slightly less than $3 million, plus interest. Through a contract to be signed with the Town, the Office of Library and Information Services would agree to repay the remainder of the bond monies and related interest over a 20 year period, starting as soon as construction is complete.

We will keep you posted as the bills move through the legislature.

In an ongoing effort to encourage a community-wide discussion about our plan for building and funding the new Tiverton Public Library, the Trustees have been meeting with Town organizations. Meeting with smaller groups at their regularly scheduled monthly meetings has been well received.

The Trustees have already met with the Greater Tiverton Community Chorus, the Ranger School PTO, St. Christopher's Women's Guild, Tiverton Little League, Tiverton Land Trust and Tiverton Open Space Commission. We also had a table display at the windy opening day of the Tiverton Little League on April 16 at the Town farm. More than two dozen people stopped by our table, all expressing support for the project.

In the coming months, presentations are scheduled for the St. Christopher's Men's Guild, Tiverton Citizens for Change, Tiverton Lions Club, Tiverton School Committee, and local scouting organizations.

If you would like to schedule a presentation and discussion about the new library for your organization or a neighborhood group, we would love to meet with you. Please e-mail your request to us at newlibrary@tivertonlibrary.org. A Trustee will contact you to arrange a convenient time and place.