New Norwell library officially opens at triple the size of its predecessor – The Patriot Ledger

NORWELL For years, Norwell Select Board member Ellen Allen worked on the detailed designs for the new library.

When she finally saw it in personlast week, it was quite anexperience.

"I have to say I was surprised how nice it was," she said. "I was really surprised. Even going through the detailed design phase, I didn't picture anything this amazing."

The new library opened on Monday, June 14,the first time Norwell has had an open library building since the pandemic lockdown began in March 2020. The schedule is 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday. The library will open on Sundays in the fall from 1 to 5 p.m.

The new building dwarfs the old one, at three times the size, and emphasizes its connection to the surrounding forest, with large windows that provideviews ofthe greenery.

"It's really stunning and a big upgrade," Allen said.

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The old library, that once occupied the same space as the new library, was in "really bad shape," Allen said. The new library is perfectly located for children in the nearby middle and high schools.

"It was way too small and it wasn't ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) compliant. This addresses all of those things," she said.

The new library comes with nooks and crannies for people to read, to work on computers, or to just relax. That even includes two covered porches, one is screened. The town received a state grant for 40 percent of the cost.

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Library Director Judy McConarty said the feedback on the new library has been purely positive.

"People are just wowed by this new library," she said. "It's light and bright and the wood is all a light maple. There are windows everywhere that bring the outside in. And people love the porches."

McConarty has been telling patrons they will have trouble finding a favorite spot because there are so many nice areas in the library. In addition to the forest surrounding it, there is a garden in the courtyard, which also serves as storm water management. Although everything has been planted, it will take some time before the courtyard blossoms.

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"I think people are surprised that it is as nice as it is," McConarty said. "One comment I received was Norwell really has a building to be proud of here. It's been a stream of people just saying this is fantastic, this is beautiful, this is so wonderful for Norwell."

In addition to the collection and the spaces in between, the new library also has multiple study and meeting rooms, a new feature not in the older, smaller building. The building also has a workshop, that can accommodate classes from quilting to coding, as well as a local history room. There is also a bright and welcoming children's section,she said.

The library trustees must pass new policies on how the rooms are used before reservations can be made, McConartysaid.

Duringthe summer,live programming will return to the library.

"The space is for people," McConarty said. "As you walk through the library, there are an abundance of resources for people. Soft seating or study tables and chairs, outdoor seating, the study rooms and meeting rooms, there's just an abundance of space for people to study and gather."

Where: Norwell Public Library

When: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday to Wednesday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday

Resources: Wi-Fi throughout the building, reading spaces and public computers

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Reach reporter Wheeler Cowperthwaite at wcowperthwaite@patriotledger.com.

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New Norwell library officially opens at triple the size of its predecessor - The Patriot Ledger