Children's Librarian Appointed to National Committee

Children's Librarian Ashley Waring was recently appointed to the Liaison with National Organizations Serving Children and Youth Committee.

Ashley Waring is the Children's Librarian at the Reading Public Library and was recently appointed to the Liaison with National Organizations Serving Children and Youth Committee. The national committee is part of the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), which is a division of the American Library Association (ALA).  Waring is thrilled about her appointment, but is still unsure of exactly what to expect as she does not start until July. Throughout her two years on the committee, she will work with other librarians from around the country to explore what other national organizations are doing. The goal is to partner with those organizations, such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and promote awareness of the work ALSC is doing …

• Photos (1)

Reading Town Meeting Sends Public Library Project Proposal to Voters

Project to cost an estimated $9.8 million in local funds.

Now it’s time for voters to decide whether they want to spend almost $9.8 million to renovate and enlarge the Reading Public Library. Town Meeting voted 131-15 Monday night to place the library proposal on the April town election ballot. The cost of the whole project is estimated at $14.9 million. The town would receive $5.1 million from the state for the project, if voters approve paying for the town share by the state’s deadline, this coming June. The special Town Meeting convened to meet that deadline. The renovation and addition would cost the owner of an average home in Reading just under $150 -- $149 a year for 10 years in a debt exclusion, an amount of money included in property tax bills for a specific project and a fixed length of…

•  30 Comments
• Photos (1)

Reading Library Project Cost Estimate Up Some $2.5 Million

This Town Meeting article generated heat at Tuesday's selectmen meeting.

A $2.5 million higher estimate for the Reading Public Library renovation and expansion project was one of the top items discussed at Tuesday's selectmen meeting. The town’s estimated share of the project has risen from $7 million to just under $9.8 million. The state would provide $5.1 million – provided that the town approves its share of the costs by June. The town must do more than renovate the building to qualify for the state money, according to the town manager. The prior cost estimate for the whole project underestimated some “soft,” non-construction costs, according to library Director Ruth Urell, including contingency funds; moving to temporary quarters for the 18-month project and storing for two-thirds of the library collection …

•  26 Comments
• Photos (1)

Reading Public Library Book Sale Nov. 1

Stop by the Book Sale Room at the Reading Public Library for their book sale starting Nov. 1.

Have you been to the Book Sale Room in the basement of the Reading Public Library? They sell gently used books donated by residents. The Book Sale Room will hold their bag sale starting Nov. 1 and residents can buy a bag of books for only $5. The Book Sale Room is full of great finds including paperback, hardcover and children's books; CD's; DVD's; cassettes; and audio books. Hardcovers cost $1 while paperbacks are only 50 cents. Both express or popular books, CD's, DVD's and audio books are $2. The books are either donated by residents or library books that the library has too many copies of.  A lot of the books are "really nice library books, they just have too may copies," Book Sale Room volunteer Lynda Zarrow said. The room is staffed …

• Photos (4)

Get Out!

The Weekend: Taste of North Reading, Fire Department Open House and More

Check out these five things to do this weekend in Reading and North Reading.

Looking for something to do this weekend? Here are some ideas—check our Events calendar for a full listing of what's happening: Where/when: Busa Wine & Spirits, Friday from 4-7 p.m. Why go: Come in for a complimentary tasting of and enter to win a Fat Bastard gift basket. Winner will be announced at the tasting. Basket includes; 2 bottle stoppers, 2 wine glasses, a wine key a t-shirt and hat—you just need to provide the wine. For the eighth consecutive year, consumers can purchase Fat bastard wines to help raise awareness and critical funds for the breast cancer cause. Where/when: The Wine Bunker, Saturday from 2-5 p.m. Why go: Support Creative Arts during October's National Arts & Humanities Month. The Wine Bunker will host a free Wine …

• Photos (1)

Little Children, Big Children Turn Out for Reading Public Library’s Vehicle Day

LL Bean’s traveling boot one of 17 vehicles at library.

At six o’clock yesterday morning, Mary Hansen, who’s 2 and a half, was up and raring to go to the Reading Public Library. More than an hour and a half before the library opened, the parking lot filled with vehicles, among them a Reading fire truck, police cruiser, Public Works wood chipper, snow plow, sidewalk plow, Light Department line truck and a brand-new JRM Hauling garbage truck. And LL Bean’s super-extra-large traveling boot. “When kids hear ‘Vehicle Day,’ they’re up at the crack of dawn, Mary’s dad, Jeff, told Patch. The library has held the event for 14 years, according to children’s librarian Rachel Baumgartner, who's coordinated it since it began here, based on an event at the Middleton library. Town departments have always …

•  2 Comments
• Photos (10)

Corinne Fisher

10:19 am on Wednesday, August 22, 2012

You said it! Over 700 people turned up to enjoy our event.   more ›

Author of Discovering the Boston Harbor Islands at Reading Public Library

Christopher Klein, author of Discovering the Boston Harbor Islands: A Guide to the City’s Hidden Shores will be at the Reading Public Library in August.

The following was submitted by the Reading Public Library: Rich in history, Boston’s harbor islands are considered by many to be ‘Boston’s back yard’.  Christopher Klein, author of Discovering the Boston Harbor Islands: A Guide to the City’s Hidden Shores will be at the Reading Public Library on Tuesday, August 21 at 7:00 p.m. to discuss The Boston Harbor Islands and to suggest ways to explore these natural wonders. There are many adventures that await you on the harbor islands; bird watching, fishing, kayaking in the coves and diving among shipwrecks are some popular activities. Visitors may also picnic while gazing at a seldom-seen view of the Boston skyline.  Did you know that you can also watch an antique baseball game while on the …

• Photos (1)

Reading Children 'Storm' a Castle with Marshmallow-Armed Catapults

As part of the Reading library’s medieval-themed summer program.

Claire Freedman focused intently on her target: the open windows and door of the castle half a room away from her. She carefully positioned the rubber band-powered catapult she had made earlier in the evening. With a push on the trigger, Freedman sent a marshmallow flying toward the castle. Claire, her twin sister Lydie, and about a dozen other students took turns storming castle facades last week with marshmallows as part of the Reading Public Library’s “Castle Quest” summer program for students up to sixth grade. Library staff chose the theme, explained children’s librarian Rachel Baumgartner.  Middle and high school students are “Shaking up Shakespeare” with summer reading and activities. Adults are invited to watch ”Despot Housewives…

• Photos (4)

Learn About the Cities of Massachusetts at Reading Public Library

Peter and Debbie Lincoln will appear at the Reading Public Library on Tuesday, July 24.

The following was submitted by the Reading Public Library: Did you know that there are 351 cities and towns in Massachusetts? Peter and Debbie Lincoln will appear at the Reading Public Library on Tuesday, July 24 at 6:30 p.m. as part of the LiveWires series to tell about their visit to each of these communities in their program, From Purgatory to Podunk. The Lincolns, retired teachers, decided on a whim in 2007 to visit each of the communities in Massachusetts.  While visiting, they photographed, studied and compiled information, collecting little-known facts and anecdotes from residents along the way.  In a fun and interactive audio-visual presentation, they will recount their adventures and the insights they gained while chatting with …

• Photos (1)