Expansion Information

Jump to: Informational Brochure, Feasibility Study & Narrative Video | Meeting Minutes

November Expansion Update

The Expansion Committee of the Jericho-Underhill Library District has been working diligently the past few months to prioritize the space needs heard in community feedback sessions while thinking creatively about how to expand the building in a way that is affordable and sustainable for the communities of Jericho and Underhill.

Wiemann Lamphere Architects are working on a new design that will be more cost effective and still have meeting spaces, quiet spaces, room for more materials, and a better space for youth, as well as further improving our building accessibility. When they are ready, we will host more community gatherings to share those designs.

The Fundraising Committee is in the early stages of planning a capital campaign for the expansion project. There will be fun events that will help to fund a bigger library, as well as give people in our community a chance to come together in a positive, connecting way.

The Board of Trustees and the library staff are grateful for the continued interest and words of support for this endeavor to expand and improve a vital community resource.

Interested in joining the building committee or fundraising committee? Email director@drml.org to get involved.

July 21st update:
After reviewing the results of the feasibility study, comments gathered during community discussions, and considering the state of the economy, the Board of Trustees of the Deborah Rawson Memorial Library (formally the Jericho-Underhill Library District) have decided to postpone any bond vote for our expansion project until 2028.

We will explore scaling back the design of the expansion to reduce costs while continuing to actively gather ideas, input and feedback about the expansion project from the community. We will communicate information with the communities about how the project is moving forward. We will also begin a capital fundraising campaign, and develop relationships with new and existing donors.

If you would like to know more or join an expansion committee please stop by the library and ask to speak to the director, Abbey Heimlich, or email expansion@drml.org

To view the Executive Summary of the Feasibility Study, click here

May 8th update:
Unable to attend one of the community meetings? No worries! Our friends at MMCTV recorded one and put together a video for us.

A recording of the last community meeting for expansion input.

March 23rd updates: Join us for an upcoming community meeting to see early design concepts from our architects, share your ideas, and help shape the future of our library.

Check out the latest design here.

February 27, 2026: We’re continuing to work on refining plans with the architects. You can check out the latest designs here in this PDF.

Again, nothing here is set in stone. We’ll have community meetings this spring to get more of your input. Until then, if you’ve got thoughts on the plans, please let us know by emailing expansion@drml.org

We also want to let you know that all this preliminary design work is being paid for through a gift from anonymous donor. We are so grateful for the support.

January 19, 2026: We have tentative plans to share! Below you will find images of the two potential expansion plans for our library; the potential interior design as well as the overlay of the current building so you can get oriented. Click on the images to make them larger.

It’s important to note that nothing here is final. We still have plenty of time to edit the design so that it will work the best for our whole community.

If you’ve got questions, comments or want to find out how to get more involved, please email expansion@drml.org