Reading Public Library

64 Middlesex Avenue, Reading, MA 01867 ~ 781-944-0840

Building Program News February 2012

Library Trustees and administration are continuing to work with town officials and library supporters to plan a renovation and expansion of the 117-year-old “Highland School” building that has been home to the Reading Public Library for 28 years.

Last winter we filed a Construction Grant application with the State. We received notification that we are second on the state waiting list of approved projects. The state expects funding to become available to begin 44% funding for Reading’s project in July 2013. When Reading receives notice that the State award is imminent, the Library Trustees will ask the Town to vote to fund its share (56%) of the project. Once local funding is approved, design details will be developed and several months later, construction will begin.

In the meantime, we’re refining plans and keeping our eye on some of the “old building” problems that need major repair. We’re also keeping our fingers crossed that the state construction funding comes through soon!

We’ve temporarily suspended regularly-scheduled building tours as we work to confirm details and the timeline, but we’re happy to answer any questions you may have, go over the plans with you, or show you around this dear old building anytime you like – just give me a shout!

Ruth

Behind the Scenes Monday Dec 5 @ 7 pm

You are invited to join Library Trustees and staff for an insider’s tour of the library and a look at and discussion of schematic design plans for a renovation and expansion project.

Monday — December 5 — 7 o’clock

Hope to see you then!

Ruth

If you can’t join us on Monday, there will be more tours on Saturday, January 7 and Saturday, February 4, at 10:30 am and on Thursday, March 15 at 7 p.m.

Monthly Report for July 2011

E-Readers for Students -  Pilot Program

The library has 3 Nook Color E-reader devices available for check out to Reading residents. Each one is loaded with 19 RMHS summer reading titles.  All three Nooks were checked out with in a day with a quick developing waiting list.   Four Kindles will also soon be available.

Local History

Many thanks to Everett and Ginny Blodgett  for completing a compilation of the Birth, Marriage, and Death Records of Reading from 1850 to 1937.  The listing has been alphabetized, indexed, and corrected  and includes Eleanor Bishop’s work,  with additions from Town Reports.  We estimate the Blodgetts spent more than 1,000 volunteer hours on this valuable project which will prove to be an indispensable resource for current and future generations to search their ancestry.

The library is also newly offering in-library access to Ancestry.com.  Ancestry.com is a huge database indexing over 7000 sources of historical information, including census records, immigration documents (ships’ manifests, etc.), military records, and more.

Summer Reading

To date 164 teens have registered in the Jokers Wild program and they’ve read or listened to 385 books.

71 adults have joined Wild Card Summer, finishing 411 books.

1,060 children have joined All Over the Map.

Summer programming for all ages so far:  a walk in the woods, Get the Scoop senior booktalks, wild card adult craft night and three teen events Playing card crafts, Teen tarot cards and House of Cards competitions.

….  More to come next month with pictures and full story!

Farmers Market

Look for the Library at the Reading Farmer’s Market/Depot on Tuesdays from 4 to 6 every week!  With wireless access courtesy of Century 21 Real Estate and a cellphone, the Library-at-the-Depot provides full remote services for commuters and market customers, answering questions, checking out materials, placing holds and offering weekly recipes!

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