The Jones Library, Inc. Buildings and Facilities Committee Meeting Mar 17, 2026

The Jones Library, Inc. Buildings and Facilities Committee of the Town of Amherst, MA, met on March 17, 2026, to discuss various facilities and art-related topics. Key procurement-related discussions included the potential sale (deaccession) of an English nobleman painting valued at approximately $25,000 in 2012, with plans to use proceeds to commission new artwork from a local artist, preferably a person of color, for the library's front foyer. The committee considered the legal and procedural steps for deaccessioning, including involving the PPP committee and trustees, and discussed logistics with a moving company and auction houses to maximize sale value. Additionally, the committee reviewed plans for a donor wall art installation, including budget considerations, artist selection processes, and design options, with an emphasis on durability and cost-effectiveness. No immediate purchasing decisions were made, but action items include further budget review, outreach to auction houses, and collaboration with the capital campaign committee for funding and design approval.