New Tween Space Opens at Library! Come to our Open House on October 10!

Reading, MA—After months of work, Reading Public Library is excited to launch a new space for kids in grades 4-7. The area features a woodland mural with birds and animals, tree-shaped bookshelves, and comfy seating options, including rocking chairs.

The best part? Tweens helped design it! They gave ideas about what they wanted in the space and even helped pick out books.

Other inviting features include:

• A whiteboard for drawing or homework
• Grass-like stools for sitting
• A variety of sensory surfaces
• Books picked especially for tweens

Please join us on Thursday, October 10, at 600 p.m. for a ribbon cutting to celebrate this wonderful new space. Why Tweens? Tween development is crucial as it marks a key transition between childhood and adolescence. From ages 9-12, young people start to form their identities. This stage is vital for developing critical social skills. These include making friends, navigating peer relationships, and building empathy. Positive experiences in the tween years can boost self-esteem and confidence. They can also impact future development and are a key foundation for long-term success and well-being. The Reading Public Library wishes to thank muralist James Weinberg, designer Martin Sorger, furnishing company Norvanivel, our children’s librarians, who led the project, and the generous support of Helen A. Nigro Foundation.

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The Reading Public Library is committed to evolving together to strengthen communication, equity, collaboration, and learning in our community. Our mission is to be a center and resource for learning and civic engagement. We provide a place and platform of, by, and for the people who can benefit as individuals as well as contribute to the well-being of the community. We work to achieve these goals and commitments by focusing on education, equity, accountability, and access.