Inside the New Tufts Library in Weymouth

 

 

Happy Fall, Y'all! Today was a perfectly lovely fall day, so this afternoon I walked down to the newly opened Tufts Library. Since I have periodically posted photos marking the building's construction, I thought you might enjoy some photos of the inside. It is truly magnificent . . . bright, modern, and inviting. 

This photo was taken looking down from the second floor at the entrance. These shelves all feature new releases.

 Due to Covid-19, most of the rooms were closed, but I took these photos through the glass. This is a large, quiet study room. There are also smaller work rooms and a room dedicated to the history of Weymouth.

 Upstairs there is a section for teens and one for adults. I was amazed at the number of books on the shelves. I asked a librarian how many more books there were than before. She wasn't sure, but she said there were still more books in storage waiting to be placed on the shelves.

 The children's room is on the first floor, and though I didn't check that section out, I would estimate that it is at least two and a half times as big as the children's room in the old library.
 

 

It is bright, colorful and welcoming.

 

At this point visits are timed for thirty minutes: time to wander around and take it all in, and, of course, select a book.

Earlier in the week, I met friends on a very cold morning at the Hingham Bathing Beach. On Tuesday, my quilting friends came for a very social, socially distanced get together in my backyard. Left to right: Maribeth, Edith, Liz, and Rosemary. We have been meeting on alternate Wednesday evenings for years . . . that is until the world turned upside down in mid-March. We have gotten together three times lately and hope to be able to squeeze in a few more lunches while the weather is warm. (Emma was there for part of the time to welcome our guests, but she was sent inside because she was causing a racket chasing and barking at the squirrels.  :-)

Football, Wildfires, and Our New Library

 

I've been waiting for football season, but it sure was beyond strange yesterday watching the Patriots with no fans in the stands and no QB Tom Brady.  Equally strange were the recorded cheers of the non-existent crowd! Cam Newton did well and will no doubt be welcomed with open arms by Patriots Nation. (Did you catch the post game press conference? Our new quarterback is one very snappy, colorful dresser!)

I also watched the first half of the Buccaneers vs. Saints game. It didn't go well for Tom Brady's team, but it was only the first game.

All hearts go out to those facing storms in the Gulf Coast and raging fires on the West Coast. The devastation there is beyond comprehension. Terry Knott, of the On Going Projects blog,  posted an account of what it is like in Oregon. Please read her Sunday post, "Oregon Fire -The State Is Burning."  I am frightened for the people in California, Washington, and Oregon. Homes, towns, and forests are burning out of control, and the air quality is worse than anywhere on the planet. Another blogger, Anna Bates of the Woolie Mammoth, blog and Youtube videos said they have not been able to open any windows or doors for days. (She lives near Sisters, the site of the yearly quilting festival. ) Of course, no air conditioning may be used either. She said this experience has brought the meaning of quarantine to a whole new level.  

With all of the danger and devastation people are facing in various parts of our country and world, I wonder whether it is appropriate to share the next part of this post. I decided that any happy, hopeful news is worth celebrating.

This morning I walked to the post office to drop a letter off before the 1:00 pick up time and then walked through Weston Park to check out our new library. This is what the old library looked like.

Drum roll please . . . Here is our magnificent new Tufts Library.

The back faces Weston Park.

 

This terraced area will provide seating for outside performances and events.

Children are already enjoying the large playground area. Weston park has baseball fields as well. This will definitely be a wonderful community gathering place.

 

The new library will be open to the public for viewing on Tuesday, Sept. 29th and Wed. Sept. 30th from 9:15 to 4:15. Building capacity will be limited due to Covid-19. You will have thirty minutes to look around, but no library services will be available. I am so excited; I can not wait to see it!!!

Speaking of books, Amazon dropped off my reading material for tonight.

 

 

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Pandemic Statistics:

 

     (Note: the last time that I posted statistics was on July 19th. I have put those previous numbers in parenthesis after the current numbers. )

                 World                                    United States                             Massachusetts 

Cases:   29.4 M (14,311,886)                 6.59 M  (3,781,985)                     125,000     

 

Deaths  930, 000   (602,757)                  195,000 (142,229)                          9219

 

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Please stay safe. Stay sane. Be creative. Have hope. Be kind to yourself and all you meet.