Curtis Memorial Library’s Collaboratory offers an ever-changing and inviting retreat — right within the walls of the library itself.
Upon entering, all you have to do is follow the colorful origami birds to a room in the middle of the library. The space used to be an adult computer lab, but has since shed the tech for a more livable, transformative space.
March temperatures may be above normal, but the outside world is still a customary late winter brown. Inside the Collaboratory, however, 600 flower bulbs that had wintered in the library refrigerator have sprung to life, joined by some live tree clippings and other rich, green vegetation.
The handiwork of Diana McFar- land, Pam Jenkins and Pamela Bobker, as well as donations from staff, artisans and local businesses, the space is now complete with bird sounds and decked out with literature on plants and gardening for all ages. The springtime theme will remain until early April, when it will undergo another transformation.
“People come in and they sit and they stay and that’s nice because we wanted a sanctuary for people,” said Joyce Schmitt, development associate at the library.
It’s a space for all ages, with fairy houses and children’s books at kid level, as well as gardening tips and suggestions for dealing with invasive plants up high. Most importantly for late winter, there is color everywhere — even plant-themed quilts by Joanne Suley hanging on the wall.
On Thursday mornings, the library oversees children’s crafts and in keeping with the theme, children planted beans in a bag so they could watch them sprout. For the adults, guest speakers also come in, like master gardeners to help prepare for spring planting.
Library Director Liz Doucette said it’s all about lifelong learning. The intimate space is inviting — for parents to come in and spend some time with their kids and for folks of all ages who want a getaway within the library.
“It’s just a really nice change in how people experience the library in a different way,” Doucette said.
The theme for next month will be Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine. The collection will run from April 13 until May 20 with works based on alchemy, astrology and natural philosophy. The exhibit is made possible through the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
Next month
• THE THEME for next month at Curtis Memorial Library will be Harry Potter’s World: Renaissance Science, Magic and Medicine. The collection will run from April 13 until May 20 with works based on alchemy, astrology and natural philosophy.
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