Inside the New Library

November 15, 2024

Sketch of the proposed addition by Foster Architecture

While you’ve probably seen Ryan Foster’s conceptual drawing of the outside of the new library, you may not know what the inside will look like. In the community meetings and surveys when we started this project, Weston residents said they wanted a comfortable place to use the library’s wifi and other resources, and gather with friends, a community space for meetings and programming, accessibility, and, of course, a bathroom.

“The flooding of 2023 highlighted the need to make the building, right next to the river, as resilient as possible to future flooding,” said Ryan. In order to meet this goal, Ryan has designed three spaces for the expanded library.

The current main floor, with its lovely wood and truss work and west-facing decorative window will stay largely the same; the look and feel of the historic, traditional library will be maintained. Bookshelves will line some walls, the librarian’s desk will be removed, and comfortable seating and small tables will be arranged throughout. A large window will be added to the east side, providing a view of the village green, gazebo, and river.

A wheelchair lift and staircase will lead to the addition, which will have the same decorative truss work as the current building’s ceiling. The room will have an open, light and modern feel. Bookshelves and space for artwork and displays will line the walls. In the center of the room, low bookshelves, tables and chairs will be moveable, easily providing space for programming, gathering and meetings. A fully accessible bathroom will occupy one corner of the room. Windows along the south wall will provide passive solar heating and an expansive view of Riverside Park and the river.

The library’s new main entrance, located on the east side, will be easily accessible from the parking area and feature a patio for outdoor reading and activities.

The lower level, below the main floor of the current building and accessible by stairs and the lift, will feature the new children’s room, with bookshelves, furnishings, and space for families to hang out. A utility closet and small mechanical room will occupy the west corner. A small soundproof nook will provide privacy for cellphone calls, online meetings, and telemedicine appointments.

Each of the three areas will have state-of-the-art technology, including screens and projection capability to facilitate presentations and programming. Furnishings throughout will be moveable to accommodate small or larger gatherings.

In creating this design, Ryan has honored the past of the original library, donated to the Town by the Wilder heirs over a hundred years ago, while bringing the building into the 21st century with a modern, technologically updated, accessible community center for the Weston community.

-Linda Saarnijoki, Secretary, Board of Trustees