October 09, 2026 - Deerfield Celebrates New Tilton Library
State and local officials joined Deerfield residents of all ages, library trustees and staff on Thursday, October 8, 2026, to celebrate the grand opening of the renovated and expanded Tilton Library. The ribbon cutting marked the completion of a long-awaited construction project supported in part by a grant of just over $4.4 million from the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners (MBLC) Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program (MPLCP).
"You gave your heart and soul, your time, your talent, your treasure, and you stayed with patience and determination to see this day finally come," said MBLC Commissioner Karen Traub. "Today's ribbon cutting is a historic event and an extraordinary accomplishment."
The project restored the original 1916 Tilton Library, removed a small 1997 addition on the side of the building, and constructed a new, fully accessible addition. It includes an expanded children's room, a dedicated space for teens, quiet study areas, small group activity rooms, a self-service business center, and a large community meeting room designed for after library hours use. In the original building, part of the restored space has been dedicated to crafts and making, while the reading room once again serves as a space for reading and conversation, and during the grand opening ceremony music from a wind sextet filled the room.
To serve Deerfield’s growing population, the library nearly tripled in size from 4,366 to 12,784 square feet with new construction designed to complement the original building and preserve the look and feel residents know. The new addition was also sustainably designed and features solar panels, making the library eligible for an MPLCP Green Library Incentive pending LEED Certification.
“Deerfield made a decision to invest not only in the right now, this moment, but in future generations,” said Senator Jo Comerford. “There is absolutely nothing more inspiring than to see a town like Deerfield plant a stake in its library and in its vision for what’s to come.”
The Massachusetts Public Library Construction Program has benefited more than 250 towns and cities since its inception in 1987. Funding to support the MPLCP grant round was included in the Mass Leads Act. MPLCP projects are underway in the following communities: Amherst, Fitchburg, and Westford. Swansea Free Public Library and Shutesbury Public Library recently celebrated the completion of library projects. Learn more about the program on the MBLC website, the Building Literacy podcast, and the MPLCP Municipal Impact website.
About MBLC
The Board of Library Commissioners (mass.gov/mblc) is the agency of state government with the statutory authority and responsibility to organize, develop, coordinate and improve library services throughout the Commonwealth. The Board advises municipalities and library trustees on the operation and maintenance of public libraries, including construction and renovation. It administers state and federal grant programs for libraries and promotes cooperation among all types of libraries through regional library systems and automated resource sharing. It also works to ensure that all residents of the Commonwealth, regardless of their geographic location, social or economic status, age, level of physical or intellectual ability or cultural background, have access to essential new electronic information technologies and significant electronic databases.
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