Private fundraising effort reopens Wellesley's branch libraries

The Hills Branch is set to reopen after two years of closure due to lack of funding. (Globe staff photo by Bill Polo)

WELLESLEY

Two years after the Wellesley voters rejected public funding that would have allowed two branch libraries to remain open, both locations are now set to reopen their doors.

Marla Robinson, chairwoman of the Wellesley Free Library Board of Trustees, told Selectmen this month that a private fundraising effort launched in October 2006 has raised enough money to cover all expenses necessary to re-open and operate the small branch libraries. The trustees raised more than $240,000 to fund the effort, she said.

Officials said that reopening the branch libraries was important, because of their popularity with children and seniors. The two locations, the Hills Branch at the intersection of Washington Street and Route 9 and the Fells Branch near the intersection of Route 9 and Weston Road, will re-open on Tuesday, Sept. 2.

The library will grand opening ceremonies later that month, Robinson said.

--Lisa Keen