The Wellesley Main Library, closed since April 2021 for a $2.8 million renovation (the Wellesley Free Library Foundation kicked in 600k), is readying to reopen later this month. The unofficial town happy place has been sorely missed by the 1,000+ daily visitors who cross the threshold of the 56k sq. ft. building. Some come for the books, some to meet up for work or social reasons, others for a place to use a public computer, or study. We cut the line and popped in for a sneak peek of the 17-year old library’s improvements. Originally timed to reopen in September, the library’s welcome-back date was delayed due to a slowdown in materials deliveries. Well, the supply chain can rattle all it wants—patrons are all but banging down the doors to be allowed back into their community resource.

In the meantime, know that the Temporary Main Library at 50 Central Street in Wellesley Square is permanently closed.

The Main Library is expected to reopen in late October.

The Hills and Fells Branches will remain open for holds pick up and browsing. Expanded Branch hours will be in place throughout the month of October (see below for hours).

Here’s what the public is in for when the 530 Washington Street building makes its dramatic comeback:

Wellesley library renovation — View from the Cameron Street side of the building (back entrance). The Welcome Center (formerly known as the Circulation Desk) has been reoriented to face patrons as they enter the lobby. Self checkout stations will be set up against the blue wall, as will holds. The expanded lobby area has more room for books, popular materials, and browsing. Jewel colors have been used throughout the first floor, giving way to a sophisticated and calming color palette upstairs.

Wellesley Free Library renovation — A section of the Children’s Room. Overall, look for a larger and more open children’s area that will encourage learning through play. Most of the old furniture was donated. “They went as far away as the North Shore. Gloucester Schools came and took all the wooden chairs,” said WFL Director Jamie Jurgensen.

Thanks to WFL Director Jamie Jurgensen for the tour. She wouldn’t pose for a pic. Something about not being camera ready. No matter, we’ll get a nice over-the-shoulder red carpet shot when the grand opening takes place.

WELLESLEY LIBRARIES—LOCATIONS & HOURS

Wellesley Hills Branch Library
210 Washington St., Wellesley, MA 02481

Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday: 10am – 5pm

Tuesday, Thursday: 10am-8pm

Sunday: 1pm-5pm

Wellesley Fells Branch Library
308 Weston Rd., Wellesley MA 02482

Monday through Saturday: 10am 5pm

Comments

Michael Tobin says

October 10, 2021 at 9:35 am

Looks awesome! Love the design choices already.

Miguel Lessing says

October 11, 2021 at 1:52 pm

Thank you for the great tour. Great choice to hire LaFosse and Alexander, two very creative artists. They offer origami classes which are superb. I recommend them wholeheartedly.

Peter Watson says

October 11, 2021 at 2:30 pm

I love the library, but would MUCH prefer that money had been spent on green choices like solar panels on the roof rather than “pretty but unnecessary” decorative items. We have been in a climate emergency for many years! The Town Meeting declared a Climate Emergency last October with the intention that all future town projects would put climate awareness at the top of the agenda for all future developments and upgrades. Obviously it is time to make this mandatory because climate awareness played no part in this so-called upgrade. Let’s not allow administrators to get away with such critical lapses in the future, and let’s have the town find the resources to put solar panels on the library roof!