AMHERST — Even with a largely positive performance review from elected library trustees, Jones Library Director Sharon Sharry is being asked to improve communication with the public as renovation and expansion of the building at 43 Amity St. is pursued.

“In summary, trustees were generally quite happy with the director and thought she’d done a good job on all her goals for this year, with the possible exception of community outreach for the building program,” trustees wrote in the evaluation adopted by a 4-0 vote of the board at its meeting Oct. 6.

The library trustees will seek approval at Town Meeting next spring to move forward with the project, and plans are being submitted to the Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners. The current projections include obtaining $15 million from the town, $12 million from the state and $5 million from a capital campaign.

The Jones project is one of around $100 million in possible building projects the town may pursue in the coming years, which also include a new elementary school, a new fire station and a new Department of Public Works headquarters.

Trustees also pledged to redouble their efforts in support of the building project, which would add space for teenagers and meet needs expressed by staff and patrons. But the project has been controversial, with some concerned about losing the home-style feel of the building constructed in 1928.

“In the past communication skills has always been a strong suit for Ms. Sharry, but the building program is much more controversial,” trustees wrote. “Ms. Sharry and the board itself will have to do better outreach and communication in the coming year.”

The evaluation for Sharry, who began her tenure at the Jones in October 2011, was based on feedback, which is not released publicly, received from four trustees, 13 library and town staff members and six members of the public.

In its memo, the trustees observe that Sharry got outstanding and satisfactory marks from most reviewers, with a handful of negative opinions.

“There were several comments praising her leadership and vision, in particular given the stress and workload involved in handling the building program,” trustees wrote.

Scott Merzbach can be reached at smerzbach@gazettenet.com.