NOT YOUR GRANDFATHER’S LIBRARY. Abby Meier enjoys a cupcake at the reception and open house for the dedication of the Flint Memorial Library’s new Browsing Cafe. (Bob Turosz Photo)
By BOB TUROSZ
NORTH READING – The Flint Memorial Library welcomed two new additions on a dual special occasion on Saturday, with a reception for new Library Director Sharon Kelleher and the official inauguration of the first floor “Browsing Café” made possible by donations from generous donors.
Library Trustees Chairman Marci Bailey and vice chairman Sara Ralph, did the honors speaking on behalf of the other trustees to officially welcome Kelleher, who came on board recently to replace Helena Minton, who retired.
“When Helena announced her retirement, we knew we’d miss her but it was wonderful to be able to do a search and find someone like Sharon right within the confines of North Reading,” Bailey.
The day also served as the dedication of the new Browsing Café, a space where library patrons can make themselves very comfortable indeed. Bailey said the cafe was conceived as a better use of the space to reflect the way people use libraries today. A team of volunteers and donors were instrumental in transforming the area into a warm and comforting environment, Bailey said.
Ralph said libraries in general and North Reading’s library in particular are great unifying places for civility. The idea for the space has been evolving over the last couple of years. Ralph thanked the members of the working group that brought the project to fruition, including Mary Ann Lape, interior designer and local resident Linda Hentschel, who helped the group think hard about space, color and texture, Ralph added. In thanks, the Friends of the Library donated two books on interior design in Hentschel’s honor.
The café project’s success was helped immeasurably by a very generous financial gift from the family of the late Davis and Harriet Alexander, residents of North Reading for 50 years who were very involved in the community and who raised their four children here. Both parents were actively involved in St. Theresa Church, Harriet worked and volunteered at the library for many years and “Dave” Alexander served on the town’s Board of Appeals, also for many years and was a prolific patron of the library.
Ralph also thanked others who contributed to the success of the project, including Arch Painting, which donated the painting of the Browsing Café and then expanded to include painting of the first floor reading room, Doug McGregor of Sherwin Williams, which donated the paint for the room, and Heather Bourgeois, also of Sherwin Williams.
Ralph also thanked the Friends of the Library and town officials for their support, including Selectmen Chairman Robert Mauceri and new Town Administrator Michael Gilleberto, for making it clear that the library matters to him. For his part, Gilleberto welcomed Kelleher and said he was impressed by the community’s support for the institution.
“The Library is the fabric of the community and this is a perfect picture of what the library means, from the benefactors who made a generous donation, to the town officials and the volunteers who made this project happen. I know Sharon and the Library Trustees are committed to building on that,” Gilleberto said.
The Browsing Café is actually not yet complete but don’t let that stop you from stopping by and checking it out. New book cases will be added in the near future. There’s coffee and WiFi available. It’s already a popular and welcoming space for all.
