I got a really great treat today – a tour of the new library building-in-progress.\u00c2\u00a0 Mary, the library\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s director, and Roy, one of the library\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s trustees, took Lisa and me on a complete, bottom to top tour of the new library.\u00c2\u00a0 Over the next two weeks, Mary will taking all of the staff members on tours so that we can all begin to visualize the fantastic place we\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be working in very soon.<\/p>\n
The new building is so absolutely fantastic that I know I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t begin to describe it accurately – but I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll try!\u00c2\u00a0 For those of you who don\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t know Harvard, the high school used to be housed in what is called \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Old Bromfield,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d a gorgeous old brick building with a slate roof and a cupola with trademark dragons.\u00c2\u00a0 Old Bromfield has been replaced by the new Bromfield high school building, and the older building has been vacant for a while.\u00c2\u00a0 To make the new library, the architects designed renovations to the Old Bromfield building, and they also designed a complementary addition that retains the spirit, lines, and integrity of the older building.\u00c2\u00a0 After my tour today, I think that this new library building will be the most beautiful, classy, and welcoming library building that I have ever seen.<\/p>\n
The interior walls are not yet finished, but enough finish work has been done that I could really see what the new location will be like.\u00c2\u00a0 Every detail has been thought through, and there are ample spots for quiet reading and appreciation of the incredible view of Bare Hill Pond through giant floor-to-ceiling windows.\u00c2\u00a0 The children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s room will have its own large storytime room, which can accomodate smaller programs and movie showings in addition to book groups and storytimes and board game club meetings.\u00c2\u00a0 There are also two garden level doors off of the children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s room so that parents can escort their children out for a breath of fresh air in between study sessions or book choosing sessions.\u00c2\u00a0 And the younger children will have their very own corner, with a window seat and play table and the picture book and board book collections.\u00c2\u00a0 What a change from what we currently have!<\/p>\n
The rest of the library is similarly well-designed: the large program room upstairs has a fantastic cathedral ceiling that has to be seen to be fully appreciated; the adult reading room is beyond stunning; and the young adults will have their own space that will hold comfortable spots to read and appreciate the ever-expanding young adult collection.\u00c2\u00a0 The circulation desk is open and welcoming, and the behind-the-scenes staff areas are an oasis of calm blue walls.<\/p>\n
I\u00c2\u00a0am so excited about our move to the new building, and I only have one regret: some small part of me wishes that I could be a regular library patron and curl up in one of those inviting corners in a cozy chair with a great book, enjoying the view and perhaps the warmth of the gas fireplace.\u00c2\u00a0 But I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m more than content with the terrific children\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s room and my own (!) office with the pond view.\u00c2\u00a0 Wow.\u00c2\u00a0 Harvard residents, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be blown away when the new building opens!!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
I got a really great treat today – a tour of the new library building-in-progress.\u00c2\u00a0 Mary, the library\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s director, and Roy, one of the library\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s trustees, took Lisa and me on a complete, bottom to top tour of the new library.\u00c2\u00a0 Over the next two weeks, Mary will taking all of the staff members on … Continue reading New library!<\/span>