PROVINCETOWN PUBLIC LIBRARY

330 Commercial Street

Provincetown, MA 02657

(508) 487-7094

www.ptownlib.com

CASE STATEMENT

“BUILDING A BETTER LIBRARY”

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Provincetown Board of Library Trustees has launched a Capital Building Campaign to relocate the Provincetown Public Library to the Town-owned former Center Street Methodist Episcopal Church/Heritage Museum Building (Center Street Building), a National Historic Landmark property at 356 Commercial Street, Provincetown, by December 2004.

The cost of the project is $4 million, which will be met with $1.878 million in Massachusetts Library Construction Grant funds, a $1.05 million Town contribution, and $1.072 million to be raised by individual gifts/pledges and public/private sector grants.

The goal of the project is to provide the Library with the space required to meet the current programmatic needs of the community, and to adequately accommodate the growth in usage over the next 20 years.

Now located in the Freeman Street Building at 330 Commercial Street, the Library would be expanded from its present 5,496-square-foot space to 15,250 square feet of space. Renovated and restored, the Center Street Building will be transformed into a state-of-the-art modern facility. With Library usage surpassing 95,000 patrons and circulation projected at 56,000 for 2003,

the demand for adequate Library services is at an all-time high. This upward trend is expected

to continue.

Although the year round population stands at 3,486, according to the 2002 Provincetown Census figures, it can swell to as many as 60,000 on any given day during the June-through-October Season. All this because Provincetown is in the unique position of welcoming thousands of

part-time residents and visitors who come to vacation and visit historic sites year round.

As well, Provincetown is the home to several nationally-recognized institutions such as the

Fine Arts Work Center, the Center for Coastal Studies, the Cape Cod School of Art and the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, as well as the Provincetown Theatre Company and the Provincetown Repertory Theatre. These institutions draw artists, writers, scholars and research fellows from around the world, all of whom frequent the Library. From that perspective, this project must accommodate a significantly larger constituency than the year round population might indicate.

MISSION

The Library’s mission is to provide excellent service to the community by supplying popular materials to people of all ages, from preschoolers to the large elderly population, by providing information services to a multi-faceted community, and by serving as a community center.

fn: Library Campaign Case Statement 10/15/03

HISTORIC OVERVIEW

Community Description Provincetown is a densely populated historic community composed of a highly eclectic population representing many diverse life styles. It is uniquely

described as a rural community with an urbanized center. As well, it is an historic arts colony and world-renowned resort/tourist/cultural community.

The community’s socio-economic mix is extremely diverse. It ranges from traditional Portuguese fishing families to non-traditional Gay and Lesbian professional families. The Town is struggling with a crisis in affordable housing, seasonal employment, and growth management made necessary by the Town’s scarce resources, including water. It is a community faced with high seasonal unemployment, geographic isolation, and relatively high levels of poverty.

America’s History Began Here In 1620, the Pilgrims made their first landfall after their Trans-Atlantic journey to Provincetown where they created the Mayflower Compact. Through the centuries since colonial times, the Town’s prosperity has been based entirely upon the fishing and whaling industries. Other industries such as the production of salt and the building of ships were intrinsic to the fishing industry. During the 1800’s, more than 55 wharves existed in Provincetown Harbor, the deepest natural harbor in the United States. These wharves were utilized to support a thriving fishing industry.

The location of Provincetown, at the tip of Cape Cod, creates an irrevocable bond with the ocean. Its history and economy have evolved from the sea. Even into the 1980’s, Provincetown has been the Cape’s largest fishing port.

During the 20^th century, tourism joined fishing as the major elements relating to the Town’s economy. The tourism industry, however, is cyclical, creating deep swings in the economic cycle, providing a great deal of employment in Summer and very little in Winter. Not surprisingly, Provincetown has the highest seasonal unemployment rate in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, reaching as high as 51.5% during the Winter.

Although fishing and tourism have been the backbone of the Town’s economy, Provincetown is known for its artist community. The Cape Cod School of Art was established in 1899 by Charles Hawthorne, thus marking Provincetown as the oldest Arts Colony in the nation. Provincetown began attracting artists and summer visitors to the scenic beauty of the landscape. By 1916, six art schools had opened and were thriving.

During that time, Provincetown hosted some of the most influential artists, poets and playwrights in American history. Eugene O’Neill wrote and produced many of his plays in Provincetown and is widely recognized as a major influence in the development of American theatre. Today, two theatre companies carry on this tradition: the Provincetown Theatre Company and the Provincetown Repertory Theatre.

Provincetown is also home to several nationally recognized cultural institutions such as the Fine Arts Work Center, the Center for Coastal Studies, the Cape Cod School of Art, the Provincetown Art Association and Museum, and the resident theatre companies – the Provincetown Repertory Theatre and the Provincetown Theatre Company – attract artists, writers, scholars and research fellows from around the world. Many of these make their homes here, such as Norman Mailer as well as Stanley Kunitz, Poet Laureate of the United States, and countless other artists and writers.

Enter the Library For 130 years, the people of Provincetown have looked to their Library as a resource for information, education, lifelong learning and inspiration. The residents view it as an important public good, providing access to resources and public space for reading, study and research. In so many ways, the Library is the heart of the community.

Founded in 1873, the Library began in a building constructed by Nathan Freeman as a gift to the Town, with the understanding that the first floor must always be used as a library. Now known as the Freeman Street building, the Library is located at 330 Commercial Street at the corner of Freeman Street. It has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places since 1975.

Initially, the first floor housed the Library, while various charitable organizations and business owners, providing much-needed rental income, used the second and third floors. Local photographer George C. Nickerson was the first to occupy the third floor. By 1888, the top floor of the Library became the meeting place of a temperance society, the Chequocket Lodge No. 76.

Architecturally, the Library’s two-sloped mansard roof, popularized by 16th century French architect François Mansard, is one of the few in Provincetown to escape modernization over the years. The Freeman Street Building has undergone three extensive renovations, the most recent adding an elevator and a handicapped-accessible restroom.

The Population According to the Town Clerk, the 2002 population census shows

3,486 year round residents. Today’s June-through-October seasonal population, which the Library serves, ranges between 20,000 and 40,000, depending upon the estimates used.

This means that on a typical Summer day, the population in Town increases anywhere from 30,000 to 60,000 people; and that it’s common to have from 600 to 900 people per day enter

the Library – to read, borrow books, study, do research, and use the computers.

As the economy continues to ebb and flow, as technology becomes more sophisticated, and as Provincetown’s reputation as a desirable community to visit and in which to live grows,

the Town’s population is likely to increase. Therefore, for Library planning purposes, Provincetown’s year-round population is estimated to increase exponentially in the next 20 years, with an accompanying upward estimate of the daily seasonal population.

Library Usage The Library stands both physically and symbolically, at the center of a widely diverse community, and both the strengths and weaknesses stem from this. Provincetown is not a wealthy community. It has one of the highest seasonal unemployment rates of any similarly sized town in New England.

At the same time, the Library has one of the most sophisticated clientele in America. Over the years many prominent artists and writers have been and continue to be patrons of the Library. Provincetown’s artistic life continues to thrive and, with the addition of a substantial Gay and Lesbian community, many business people, artisans, fishermen, and, May through November, visitors from all over the world use the Library’s resources.

Over the past 10 years, Provincetown’s Library circulation has increased by 31,783, or 153%, from 20,820 items borrowed in 1993 to 52,603 in 2,002. Projections already indicate that circulation will reach 56,000 in 2003. The Library Collection has nearly doubled in the last

10 years to 30,882 in 2002. In 1995, the Library became a full member of the Cape Library Automated Materials Sharing (CLAMS) and went online in June 1996, substantially increasing the availability of resources for Library users.

In 2002, the Library welcomed 95,878 people, compared with 51,872 in 1994 – an increase

of 85% in the past 8 years – straining the facility beyond its capacity. During July and August alone, between 600 and 900 visitors came through the doors each day. For 2003, the number is nearing the 100,000 mark, truly straining the capacity of the building and staff resources.

The stranglehold that the present facility has on services and collection growth alone is critical. Seating is at a premium. On most days, patrons looking for a seat, access to view best sellers, videos and magazines, and Internet slots, must wait for one patron to leave before space is made for them. Many patrons cannot wait, so their visits are abbreviated.

The same circumstances are exacerbated in the Children’s Room. There is only space enough for one or, at the most, two different age groups. Staff often observes that one group of youths will enter and then walk out because there is no seating for them. Of necessity, Library programs must be held off-site.

Several facts underscore the Library’s critical need for space, the

1) hours – 48 hours, 7 days per week year round – are the highest on the Cape;

2) materials budget is increasing and the numbers of people served grows; and

3) number of children and adults attending programs continues to increase; 3,256 children and 973 adults, and 240 families participated in special programs.

Unfortunately, while programming does increase the Library’s visibility in the community, it does not increase direct Library usage since most programs due to lack of space, are held off-site.

Building Study Group Formed Over the years, the Library Collection, the number of patrons, and the circulation increased dramatically, to the point that, in 1995, steps were taken

to address the facility’s space constraints. A large and representative group of 13 community members formed a Building Study Group to consider the serious physical limitations of the 5,496-square-foot Freeman Street Building.

These limitations, they found, go far beyond a housekeeping problem. There is no quiet reading/study space for the 95,878 patrons who used the Library in 2002. Technologically,

the lack of space severely limits any expansion/upgrading of the existing minimal computer equipment required by year round residents. And, every new book that gets shelved is another book pulled off the shelves and put into off-site storage.

The Building Study Group started with a 20-year plan, guided by the following: 1) industry standards, 2) Provincetown’s population projected to 4,500 in 2020, and 3) Library use rates.

The Space Investigation First, the Group examined the possibilities for expanding the current Library home. It was discovered that the front court, tree and building façade would have to be sacrificed, and that even building up beyond three stories, and extending back as far as possible, would still not yield sufficient space. It was concluded that these options were inadequate.

The Group also investigated the property next door on Commercial Street where Café Blasé is situated. A volunteer architect drew up preliminary plans for a restored Freeman Street building with a substantial new wing. However, the idea stalled and died when the approach to the owners was politely rebuffed.

Next, the Group considered possible satellite/annex arrangements, but concluded that with current and projected staffing levels, the concurrent operation of multiple facilities would be more than could be efficiently and financially managed and maintained.

Then, the Group looked around Town for open land, but each of the available sites – all North of Bradford Street – served high-demand commercial or parking uses where the opportunity to replace the uses and revenue they produced would be nearly impossible. The increase in traffic, particularly foot traffic through the Bradford-Standish intersection, was an additional concern. For these reasons this option was dismissed.

Finally, the Group explored the possibility of a School/Recreation/Library consolidation. Again, this choice would dramatically reduce the Town’s limited parking. When these plans were presented at a Public Hearing, the overwhelming majority of participants were convincing in their argument to keep the Library downtown.

The Center Street Building Thus, the Group came to consider the Center Street Building, which it had passed over before primarily because it housed the Heritage Museum.

Built in 1860, the building was the home of the Center Methodist Episcopal Church for nearly 100 years. In 1957, it was purchased by Walter Chrysler, Jr., who changed its use to a museum. Seriously disfigured in the process, the building was sold to the Town in 1976 to become the home of the Heritage Museum, which until recently had been open to the public three months each year. Closed for the past four years for major deterioration repairs, the building is in dire need of repair, reconstruction and restoration.

Initially, the task of gutting and renovating/restoring the building seemed ambitious, but many individuals, after closer study and examination, became convinced that the facility could indeed meet the Library’s 20-year plan, and began to investigate this opportunity.

So convinced of the Center Street possibility were the Supporters of the Provincetown Public Library that, in 1999, the group contributed $30,000 from its Building Fund to the Town to examine the concept. The Supporters, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation formed in 1994 by a group of Library volunteers as a fundraising entity to support Library programs, has underwritten special collections, provided technology support, and sponsored Library program activities over the past seven years. Once the hunt for expansion space was on, the Supporters assumed the challenge of raising money to support a new facility.

Feasibility Study In August 1999, the Town solicited proposals, and subsequently contracted with Tappe Associates of Boston to examine the feasibility of relocating the Library to the Center Street Building, and placing the Heritage Museum in the existing Library building.

The policy goal established by the Selectmen related to the two proposed projects was established as follows:

“To have the Library and Heritage Museum swap buildings – without the model of the Rose Dorothea [a one-half scale model of the vessel that won the Lipton Race] being relocated – if the following can be accomplished:

· The space thereby created for the Library function is adequate to provide for its growth over the next 20 years;

· The differential in cost between structurally upgrading the Heritage Museum building as a Library with the boat model – versus without it – is not so great as to make this preferred alternative unfeasible;

· Having the Rose Dorothea model in a Library does not negatively impact eligibility for grant funding (e.g., Library grants);

· The Heritage Museum’s collection is completely inventoried and cataloged;

· Storage of the collection during construction can be adequately addressed; and

· In addition to housing the Heritage Museum function, the Freeman building is considered also for purposes which satisfy the deed – such as archives, genealogy, historical society, and perhaps for a visitor’s center (if charged a fee).”

PROGRESS TO DATE

On August 14, 2000, the Tappe Feasibility Study, “Relocation of Provincetown Public Library and Heritage Museum” was released and presented to the Board of Selectmen, the Board of Library Trustees, the Trustees of the Heritage Museum, and the public.

The conclusion of the Library investigation is that the Center Street Building can successfully be transformed into a new Provincetown Library. The Library will retain the model of the Rose Dorothea; the historic entrance grand staircases; and meet ADA (elevator, restrooms, etc.) and other code requirements, including two separate egress stairways accessing all floors.

Well received, the Study demonstrates that the Center Street Building would indeed provide adequate space to meet current needs and accommodate the 20-year plan and, at the same time, keep the Rose Dorothea in place.

In July of 2002, the Town engaged the services of the prestigious 80-year-old Boston firm of Perry Dean Rogers|Partners Architects to design the new Library. And, in June, 2003, the Town awarded a construction contract to the J.K. Scanlan Company of East Falmouth, MA, an experienced Library reconstruction contractor.

Plans call for selective restoration of the exterior, including the windows that are currently boarded up and the historic front entrance. The interior of the building will be completely reconstructed and restored to its original design insomuch as is possible. Complete building and landscape restoration will be addressed progressively as funds are available.

Finally, complying with the Massachusetts Historical Commission requirements to maintain the grand staircases and restore the vaulted ceiling in this National Historic Landmark property, the stairs will be re-railed in order to open them for use by the public and the vaulted ceiling will be enhanced with a secondary vault to embrace and accommodate the masts of the Rose.

The Plan for the Future The plan is to relocate the Library to the Town-owned Center Street Building, a National Historic Landmark property, at 356 Commercial Street. Renovated and restored, the building will be transformed into a state-of-the-art facility, adding

5,000 SF to the existing 10,250 SF, for a total of 15,250 SF.

The new Library will provide space for Adult, Children and Special collections; reading and study; programs; a technologies center; research facilities that meet the needs of the prominent artists, writers, scientists and researchers in Provincetown and the Outer Cape; a Local History room; wall space for the Town’s important Art Collection; and office/work space for staff.

With Library usage surpassing 95,000 patrons and circulation projected at 56,000 per year,

the demand for Library services is at an all-time high. The Library relocation has the potential

to provide the expansion space required for the Library while keeping it within walking distance in the downtown area. It will allow residents to fully use and enjoy one of the most spectacular and beautiful buildings in Provincetown, and it will ensure the restoration and ongoing maintenance of a significant historic building, one of the most prominent and distinct façades on the skyline.

The Board of Library Trustees as well as the Supporters and many in the community, believe

that the Library envisioned by the Boston architectural firm Perry Dean Rogers|Partners, will provide Provincetown with a truly special Library, a state-of-the-art facility designed to meet the current and future needs of the community, set in an historic building that incorporates the essence of the Town.

Supporters of the project believe that old strategies have failed and that it is time to use people’s imaginations to create a new solution. The Plan presented herein underscores that new solution and presents a vision of vitality and enterprise.

GREATER OPPORTUNITIES

Today, with vision and purpose, the Provincetown Board of Library Trustees, the Supporters of the Provincetown Public Library, and members of the community continue on a course of steady, determined progress that is characteristic of the remarkable spirit that exalts the rigors of challenge.

In the spirit of our Pilgrim forefathers and foremothers, and others who have come to our shores over the years, dedicated and inspired individuals have joined hands to support this endeavor that will honor its past, embrace the present, and anticipate the future.

Renovating and restoring the Center Street building as the Library represents an ambitious undertaking that promises to validate a spirit of cooperation and enterprise that can be shared by everyone. The invitation to participate in this extraordinary effort sets a standard for thoughtful planning and creative solutions.

The support and gifts of individuals and families, community leaders, businesses, corporations, foundations, and social and civic groups in Provincetown, the Cape Cod area and throughout Massachusetts are investments needed to make this project a reality.