The new Tony Capozzi mural in the South End library next to the Children’s Room, based on dozens of suggestions by FOSEL board members, each one of whom had their personal favorites.
A variety of seating arrangements in the adult area at tables wired to recharge electronic devices
Since October 2019, Southenders have torn their hair out about not knowing where to go for neighborhood meetings, yoga classes, children’s stories, computer access, income tax assistance, movies, books, DVDs, museum passes, reserved book pickups, newspapers, magazines, a trip to the public restroom, or simply a chat with their friendly librarian. After decades of neglect, the South End library finally has completed its long-overdue ‘refresh;’ its doors will reopen to the public on Tuesday, February 18 at noon. That is the day when the library stays open till 8:00 PM.
Comfortable seating near the parkside windows
BPL president, David Leonard, will be on hand to welcome the community back to the branch and officially declare the building “refreshed.” The library now features light-blue and easy-to-clean new floors; an attractive palette of blues on its diagonal walls; a fresh coat of paint throughout the first and second floors, new upholstery; a reconfigured space to allow for a variety of seating arrangements; electrically wiring inside high and reading tables; an attractive seating area for teens underneath the stairs; new upholstery and rugs in the Children’s Room; new electrical outlets throughout the space; a ceiling-mounted projector and slide-down screen in the Community Room; and much-improved signage. The space reconfiguration and furniture choices were recommended by FOSEL board member, architect Michelle Laboy, during a multi-year planning process that was combined with a quick and successful fundraising effort by FOSEL in 2017/18.
A small but separate area for teens and tweens with floor lamps and outlets to recharge electronic devices; panels divide the space from the adult computer area and can be used as a white board
The contributions by you, our generous donors, allowed us to write a check for $50,000 for the new furnishings that will benefit all South End library users.
A row of adult computers is now separated from the teen and children’s space with colorful panels
The refreshed Children’s Space features new rugs and upholstery, and new computer tables (below)
The “refresh” was originally part of an effort by the Friends of the South End Library to jumpstart a major renovation of the dilapidated branch which, at the time, was not scheduled for expansion until 2025, due to an enormous backlog of many other sub-standard library buildings in the 24-branch BPL system. The FOSEL proposal called for a multi-phased expansion that would combine public and private funds for a new South End facility. The Friends raised $100,000, of which $50,000 was added to a City Budget allocation of $132,000 for the First Phase. But happily, the Walsh Administration decided two years ago to completely renovate and expand the size of the South End library after all, beginning with a Programming Study in FY 2020. As a result, the First Phase face lift became a “refresh” to last for the next three to five years, while the multi-million-dollar ‘Big Reno’ is being planned in an upcoming process of community meetings, demographic fact-finding, and design studies that will start sometime this year.
The heavily used banquette near the library’s entrance on the right was reupholstered and outfitted with new electrical outlets new the floor.
Mayor Walsh’s Administration has made a major investment in the Boston Pubic Library system which, according to his South End spokesperson, Faisa Sharif, is a reflection of his dedication to making neighborhood public spaces accessible to all. Since he took office six years ago, more than $82 million was spent on the Central Library’s Johnson Building, now an attractive bustling hub that features a WGBH studio, the popular Newsfeed cafe, and a BPL Gift Shop. The almost $16 million renovation of the Central Library’s Rare Books and Manuscripts Department, to open to the public next year, will make it into an internationally recognized state-of-the-art facility of historical and art treasures. In addition, the BPL is in the process of looking for an architect to renovate the stately McKim building which adjoins the Johnson Building on Copley Plaza.
Among the BPL’s branch renovations, Jamaica Plain got a $10 million new facility a few years ago. The Adams Street branch, at $19 million, will be ready by 2021 and the $15 million Dudley Library renovation (perhaps Nubia library in the future?) is scheduled to reopen this spring. For the next five years, another $127 million is budgeted for several other library renovations, including the South End branch.
Librarian Matt Krug is thrilled with his standing desk near a parkside window.
The current South end library improvements include a charming mural near the Children’s Room depicting a number of South End landmarks and cultural icons which FOSEL suggested the artist, Tony Capozzi, consider in his design, and he did. They include the BCA kiosk; Back Bay station; a row of bow-front brownstones; the Union United Methodist Church; a same-sex couple embracing; musical venues; planes flying over; and a number of cats, among other features. No dogs, regrettably. A similar mural is on he wall in the Chinatown branch, with its own iconic images.
