I walked a different way today in order to see how the renovation of our local Jamaica Plain branch library was getting on. The last time I went by, it was a construction site. I was amazed to see that the exterior appeared to be finished, and when I looked in, some of the new bookshelves and the check-out desk were in place already. So I've just looked it up online and found out the branch is re-opening in May. That's something to look forward to--I'm excited.
This entire glass wing is new. The original library, built in 1911, is a low brick building behind this glass façade. It was charming but very small and crowded, and it was time to add to it. There is also going to be an outside "reading porch" around the corner on the right side. (The brick building showing on the left is a municipal building, now used as a community center.)
I actually have not used the Jamaica Plain branch library much over all the thirty-two years I've lived in Jamaica Plain, as I prefer to go to the Central Library in Copley Square. I will certainly try out this branch when it re-opens, and I may use it more often, especially if they have some good programming.
