Timeline

According to city councillors, the plans for the library must be set by mid-April, the deadline for the library to submit a proposal to the state seeking funding for the renovation.

"There is a statewide level grant for library construction for which Cambridge is apparently eligible in the range of $3 million to $4 million," said Councillor Francis H. Duehay '55. "That application must go forward by April 10 and therefore there is a need for preliminary approval by the City Council by that date."

But Boulrice said he thought "it would be unfortunate if a hastily-arrived-at decision were made due to any particular grant deadline since the bulk of the money would be city money."

Davis said one solution proposed would be to submit the proposal to the state, then decide what to do when and if they get the money.

"I think it is too bad we are put in that situation and I'm not sure what is going to happen now," she said.