Londonderry’s Leach Library is likely to remain closed to the public “through the summer,” according to a recent announcement from Interim Library Director Donna Plante. The update formally ends earlier hopes that the main library building could reopen by mid-to-late June, a target that had already been considered optimistic given the scope of the repairs.
“Some of the reasoning for that was related to delays in contracts being signed. I am happy to share that the contract with ReArch was signed last week, and they are in the process of getting change orders that also need to be signed over to me, and I’m hoping next week they’ll be able to review them with me,” said Plante. “After that’s all signed, invoices should soon follow. The unfortunate thing is that this is probably all going to hit the budget at once.”
The library has been navigating a series of unexpected expenses since the discovery of mold and water damage earlier this year. While the Town Council recently approved nearly $95,000 in additional funding for mold remediation and carpet replacement, more than double the original estimate, the financial strain remains significant.
“I want you all to know that your Town Council, our Town Council, had some pointed questions, but they were 100% supportive, as was our Town Manager,” said Nancy Hendricks, Chair of the Leach Library Board of Trustees. She acknowledged that asking for such a large sum was difficult but emphasized the town’s commitment to restoring the library. “I want you all to know that this is the level of commitment that we have for getting our library reopened. Hopefully we don’t get any more numbers like that.”
Plante explained that the sudden cost increase was tied to the discovery of more extensive roof damage than originally anticipated.
“In the water test that they did, they found two holes in the roof, holes we weren’t expecting to find, and they obviously needed to be repaired. It’s part of the rainy season right now, so that’s a concern,” she said. Roof repairs will continue alongside the ongoing remediation work. “After remediation, insulation and drywall patching work is going to begin shortly after. There’s going to be a little bit of a lull before carpet replacement work starts because there’s a little bit of a lead time. They couldn’t order the carpet until the contract was signed, so there are a lot of steps before that happens.”
Town Manager Shaun Mulholland noted that any leftover funding at the end of the 2025–2026 fiscal year could be used for “Phase Two” engineering, exterior envelope work, heavy insulation, and other preventative measures intended to protect the building longterm.
“The estimate ReArch provided to us is $494,012,” said Plante, stressing that the figure does not include additional preventive measures needed to control heat and humidity inside the building during summer construction. “I have no idea what the total cost is going to come back as.”
Despite concerns about requesting more funding, Trustees agreed that delaying preventive work would be shortsighted, especially given the mold issues that forced the closure in the first place.
“If we’re going to remediate mold and invite humid July to come hang out with us in a building that’s closed up, that’s bad. That’s how you make more mold,” said Vice-Chair Beth Marrocco.
The Board of Trustees expects to make another presentation before the Town Council on Monday, May 18. The Leach Library Board of Trustees also has a special meeting scheduled for Tuesday, May 19, in the Moose Hill Council Chambers.