WINOOSKI, Vt. — The Winooski Memorial Library is preparing for a temporary relocation as construction plans advance on a major renovation of the O’Brien Community Center, a $23 million project aimed at expanding public services and modernizing community infrastructure.
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The library, currently located داخل the O’Brien Community Center, will close its doors on May 2 to allow time for the transition. It is scheduled to reopen in early June at a temporary site inside the former Commodities Natural Market space at 65 Winooski Falls.
City officials said the move is necessary to accommodate demolition and reconstruction work that will significantly expand the library and upgrade the broader community center.
“We're giving ourselves some grace to ensure we're ready to be functional when we're in the new space,” said city spokesperson Ray Coffey.
The O’Brien Community Center renovation is expected to dramatically increase the size and capabilities of the library and other services housed within the facility. One of the project’s primary components is tripling the library’s footprint, which currently stands at approximately 2,000 square feet.
At its existing size, the Winooski Memorial Library is the smallest in the state for a municipality of its population.
“It's smaller than a lot of people's homes,” said Chris Donnelly, community relations director for Champlain Housing Trust, which manages the center’s day-to-day operations. “It's just not adequate for a community this size.”
The expanded library will provide additional space for collections, programming and technology, including more computers, workstations and private meeting rooms. Officials say the upgrades are particularly important given that a significant portion of Winooski residents lack reliable internet access at home.
“Twenty percent of Winooski residents don't have internet at home,” Donnelly said. “So, the expansion will help meet community needs in that way.”
In addition to library improvements, the renovation will include expanded health and dental clinics, new offices for the city’s Community Services Department and upgrades to shared community spaces. Enhancements such as a professional-grade kitchen, new windows and an outdoor deck are also planned.
The temporary library site, located a short distance from the current facility, offers a similar footprint and a more open layout due to its former use as a grocery store. Officials noted that the space will help maintain continuity of services during construction.
Once reopened, the library will operate Tuesday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A 24/7 book drop will also be available outside the entrance.
While most services will resume, some changes will affect visitors, including paid parking in the surrounding area, with limited short-term free spaces available nearby.
Construction on the O’Brien Community Center is expected to begin this fall and continue for approximately 18 months to two years. Once completed, the facility will feature a redesigned layout, including a new rear entrance to improve accessibility to event spaces.
The $23 million project will be funded through a combination of grants, federal tax credits, loans and charitable donations, with no direct taxpayer funding. Organizers have already raised nearly half of the $5 million goal in charitable contributions and are continuing fundraising efforts.
The project represents a significant investment in Winooski’s public infrastructure, with the goal of creating a more accessible, modern and equitable community hub.
Originally reported by Megan Stewart in Burlington Free Press.
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