A Room of One's Own

Our little town has needed a new library for quite a long time. The one we have, constructed in the early 1900's, is very historic and very tiny.

Almost since moving here, my husband and I have volunteered with the various committees that worked to build a new facility.

Last September, we had a groundbreaking ceremony for our dream library.

And tonight, for the very first time, the Library Committee held a meeting inside the (unfinished) huge new building. It's about 7200 square feet, and it feels enormous, partly because it is, and partly because there's nothing in it yet!

My husband and I donated for a specific part of the building, the Adult Reading Area, a sitting and study area adjacent to the adult stacks. (Which, within our household, is fondly referred to as the Porter Reading Area.)

On this partial view of the exterior, the P.R.A. is that bump-out portion of the building on the right side.




Here's the interior of the Porter Reading Area. In addition to the chairs and other furniture that will one day appear in this space, the design includes window seats. I love window seats. Ours--I just can't help feeling proprietary--will overlook the historic Town Hall, recently restored, and a distant mountain.




Having been inside, we're so impatient for a grand opening. We continue working hard to raise additional monies--from the town, from private citizens, from foundations--in order to complete the finishing touches.

But we have abundant proof that the long-held dream is getting ever closer to becoming a reality....