Monty Tech gearing up for more work at Barre Library

Recently meeting with Stephanie Carpenter, (center) director of the Woods Memorial Library in Barre, are Michael Robichaud, drafting technology instructor, Paul Perkins of Lunenburg and Nick Valeri of Baldwinville, cabinetmaking students; Jennifer Chapman of Westminster, drafting technology; Carpenter; Alana Costa of Fitchburg, drafting technology; Kerrie Boucher of Baldwinville and Dillon Proctor of Templeton, cabinetmaking, and Michael Dion, cabinetmaking teacher. Students and teachers in the drafting technology and cabinetmaking programs at Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School recently traveled to Barre to meet with Library Director Stephanie Carpenter to discuss renovations to the children’s room.

Last year, the school designed, built and installed new display cases in the main area of the Woods Memorial Library. This year, the same programs are designing new display cabinets and reworking the floor plan to make the children’s room more kid-friendly and allow for better display of books and other materials.

“We want to create a more contemporary space with cabinetry and display cases that are easy for children to access and enjoy,” Carpenter said. The current cases are too high, too shallow and books and other materials do not fit properly, she said.

The existing layout requires younger children to stand on chairs to access items, she added.

“We are aiming for a more modern design with contemporary colors to create a bright and exciting atmosphere that will appeal to children in grades two through six,” she said. The children’s room is located in the basement of the historical, colonial-style building. The floor plan will be redesigned to allow for better wheelchair accessibility and enhanced safety and appeal.

A separate, glass-enclosed display case will be made to prominently display historical artifacts and other collectibles.

Drafting technology senior Alana Costa of Fitchburg has been working with Carpenter on the preliminary design plans. After conferring with the Barre Library Association, some modifications have been made to the original design. Carpenter reported that the Barre Library Association and an anonymous donor will provide funds and some materials for this project. Monty Tech is providing the labor free of charge.

Costa, and another drafting senior Jennifer Chapman of Westminster, are finishing up the revised drawing. From there, they will use computer software to create the mechanical floor plan and dimensional drawings for each cabinet. After that, the drawings will be put a computer disk and sent to the cabinetmaking department to start the custom millwork.