After I sent out last week’s MSL Update, Anne Richmond had a few library ideas:
From Anne:
1. Include some fruit trees in the planting so we can have bowls of healthy fruit out for patrons! Or.... is there enough room for a community garden back there sometime in the future??? (I don't know the layout of the space.....
2. Organize the space/staffing to make the community room available to groups on the weekends and evenings even when the library is not open. Is there a low cost way we can make this happen??? Community meeting space is so needed!
3. Hire artist Sheila Coly (1000 cranes studio) to do a mosaic project as part of the garden redesign. She is an amazing artist and can do mosaics or murals with community youth... I think this is a wonderful opportunity for public art!! Sheila did the mosaic on Zanetti's wall (Armory St.) and she is amazing with kids. She's also worked at the Dunbar.
I sent Anne’s questions to Molly Fogarty at the Library and this was her response:
From Molly Fogarty: These are all great suggestions and are already included as concepts in our planning for the Mason Square Branch. We are working with Kristin Brennan from “Gardening the Community" to plan a community flower garden for this summer. This group employs neighborhood children. The children then sell the flowers at the Farmer's Market. At this point, we have funding for 18 hours per week.
At our other locations, groups can request to use the Community room for free when we are open. When we are closed, we can make the room available for groups, however, they need to pay for the additional security costs.
Community art projects are definitely being discussed. At this point, we are focused on getting the library open and are looking at the Spring for murals and other art projects. A mosaic mural sounds wonderful.
All of planning is based on community input and we will continue to update the community through our website, and at Commission meetings, and through the Mason Square Advisory Committee.
Any other suggestions for input??
This is a really exciting time for Springfield and for all of us as we bring the library back to the neighborhood.