TURNERS FALLS — The effort to renovate or expand the existing Carnegie Library, or build a new main branch library altogether, has taken another key step forward.

Montague Public Libraries has received a $100,000 grant from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners through its Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program for the design and planning phase of a Carnegie Library upgrade or the creation of a new library.

Two ideas are possible: improving the existing Carnegie Library at 201 Avenue A or building a new one at the vacant lot at 38 Avenue A, the site of the former Cumberland Farms. Both proposals were required for the application to the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program, according to Montague Public Libraries Director Caitlin Kelley, who attended the Montague Selectboard meeting on Monday to update town officials on next steps.

Kelley explained the $100,000 will be used for the design and planning phase, which accounts for 50% of eligible costs for this phase of the project. The remaining cost is covered by $150,000 that was approved by Annual Town Meeting voters, according to Town Administrator Walter Ramsey.

In an interview on Tuesday, Kelley explained that once the design phase is complete, the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners will review the designs for either improvements to the existing library or for a new location. Following state approval, Montague will be able to decide which path to take. An independent estimator will look at the designs and estimate a construction cost, which will also be submitted to the state.

A final construction cost will not be known until early 2026 once the state reviews and approves the design for either a library upgrade or an altogether new library. The state will calculate its share of the construction costs using an incremental scale, which starts at 60% reimbursement for the first $5 million spent by the town. An extra 17% reimbursement will also be added to the total construction cost, which is based on the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners’ community needs assessment of Montague.

According to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners, the Carnegie Library was one of two libraries in the Pioneer Valley — the other being the East Springfield branch of the Springfield City Libraries — to be accepted into the Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program, which provided $1.3 million in planning and design grants to 13 libraries across the state. Montague began the application process in the fall of 2022.

“I’m thrilled that we were selected, and I’m grateful to Walter [Ramsey] and to the trustees for helping us put together a really competitive proposal,” Kelley said at Monday’s Selectboard meeting.

In the design phase, which will last through 2025, a schematic design will be developed, along with a cost analysis for the site options and project management services, Kelley explained.

In looking ahead, Ramsey explained the library will be forming a construction committee to oversee the project.

“It’s good to get community members, but it’s also good to get some expertise from the trades or engineering architects — those sort of folks if you can,” Selectboard Chair Richard Kuklewicz suggested regarding committee membership. The Montague Public Libraries website indicates there will also be opportunities for residents to provide their input on the project.

The Montague Public Libraries website provides some goals for a new or improved Carnegie Library space, including a large community room for public programs, a children’s play area, a children’s program room, a teen area, quiet study rooms, a reading room and a local history room that can also serve as a meeting space.

This project has already seen some community outreach opportunities, with a fall 2023 survey asking residents what they hope to see in a new or improved library space in Turners Falls. According to the survey page, respondents provided feedback on what other libraries people use, along with comments on accessibility, space needs, parking safety and more.

For more details on the Carnegie Library project, visit the Montague Public Libraries website at montaguepubliclibraries.org/building.

Erin-Leigh Hoffman can be reached at ehoffman@recorder.com or 413-930-4231.