After two years of thoughtful planning, the Ad Hoc Library Landscape Committee has developed an inspiring vision for a new outdoor terrace at RPL. This concept emerged through collaboration between community members, town staff, and landscape design experts.
We look forward to garnering community support and future fundraising to turn this vision into a reality.
The Board of Library Trustees formed a committee called the Ad Hoc Library Landscape Committee (LLC) in 2023. The committee wanted to find ways to make the Library’s outdoor area more usable and expand our mission “as a place for learning and civic engagement.” The Library Terrace Project continues to improve the library’s space and services, as envisioned in the 2016 renovation.
The LLC is committed to using private (non-taxpayer) funds for any project they recommend to the Board.
The Board of Library Trustees approved using $20,000 of gift funds to commission a conceptual/feasibility design with the landscape design company Activitas. Activitas conducted focus groups with neighbors and a community survey. The themes from this research showed the community’s desire for additional seating, shade, native plantings, and accessible spaces, all of which will provide a space for gathering. In March 2024, Activitas presented a conceptual design to the LLC that had been reviewed by various town departments, including public safety, engineering, DPW, planning, and facilities.
Currently, the Library holds children’s programs, family concerts, and other special events outdoors. We also acknowledge that creating outdoor space enhances accessibility for all patrons, especially for the immunocompromised. The Board and LLC are excited to find ways to bring library users outside. They will use gifts, state aid, or outside fundraising to make improvements. The LLC voting members include community members, trustees, and RPL employees. The town manager, assistant town manager, director of economic development, community development director, and library director have also served on the committee in advisory and non-voting capacities as needed.
Please email rdgadmin@noblenet.org if you have further questions about this project.
TIMELINE
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- January 9, 2023: Committee established with an anticipated sunset date of twenty-four months from the first meeting.
- February 16, 2023: First meeting of the Ad Hoc Library Landscape Committee (LLC)
- June 12, 2023: The LLC presented to the Board of Library Trustees with the recommendation to engage a designer for a formal feasibility study.
- September 11, 2023: The Board of Library Trustees voted to allow the Town Manager to enter into a feasibility and conceptual design contract with Activitas, a Landscape Architecture and Civil Engineering firm that has been working with the Town for the past six years.
- November 9, 2023: Activitas and the Reading Public Library host a neighborhood listening session to get feedback and ideas from nearby residents.
- March 20, 2024: Activitas presents the initial design concept.
DOCUMENTATION
Library Landscape Meeting Agendas and Minutes (Town Website)
May 13, 2024: LLC Presentation to Board of Trustees
June 12, 2023: LLC Presentation to Board of Library Trustees
September 11, 2023: Authorization of Activitas Proposal
November 9, 2023: Neighborhood Listening Session
