The New Temporary Home of the Jones Library
With the original location closed for renovation, the Jones Library has been settling nicely into its new temporary location on University Drive.
Designed in 1927 to feel more like a home than a public space, the Jones Library closed its doors for renovations back in May. The historic fixture of the Amherst community began its new chapter exactly two months later in July at its new temporary home, and has been settling in nicely.
The staff at the library spent months preparing for the location switch. According to the head of Youth Services, Mia Cabana, they had been preparing mentally and emotionally for even longer. They took on the task of organizing the old building and preparing the new location in stride, “Librarians are a great demographic for when you need a big organizational task done,” says Cabana.
The new location offers a larger parking area than what has previously been available downtown. The library is now next-door neighbors to the Post Office and close to many local businesses, like Big Y. Settled in the heart of a busy area, their hope is that this will allow members of the community to include the library as a part of their routine.
Like any move, this one has required adjustment, due largely in part to the smaller space. Collaborative administrative spaces, like the Young Adult and Kids sections, have been separated. The library also no longer has the same capacity for programming. Events will primarily be held at different community spaces for the time being.
Despite these adjustments, the new location boasts a dedicated teen space– something the original lacked. This area is designed to give teenagers a new spot to hang out and do their homework, a preview of what the new building will offer. With the renovations, on top of the teen space, the library will be incorporating new spaces for ESL and children, and be more accessible for all community members. “We’re really able to think about the way that people in our community have been using the space… and design a building that is going to be more intuitive for people to navigate,” says Cabana.
At the original site, renovations will carefully preserve the library’s historic integrity, with design elements approved by the Amherst Historical Commission. 80% of the original mahogany woodwork will be retained, donating the remainder to an architectural salvage company to be reused. The synthetic slate roof will be replaced with natural slate and will be repurposed for the interior. In addition, areas of the library that were previously closed to the public will now be open with the redesign.
“Part of what we’re so glad we’re keeping is our location at Amity Street, because that’s always been a great anchor for downtown,” says Cabana. The Jones Library has stood tall in the community for almost a century, and will continue to do so upon its reopening in 2027.
