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Information about the project had been printed in the Times in the past few months. The first call for artists went out to every fourth grader in town. The design calls for 232 tiles to be assembled on boards that will be hung in the central library at 475 Canton Ave.
When there were fewer than 232 children registered for the project, Pat Brawley, the Rotary Club president decided to open it to the third grade.
The $13+ million expansion project will more than double the library space. The 1904 building has been renovated and upgraded as part of the project.
Some historic features, like the Rotary’s tile wall, have been replicated as part of the work. The glass floors in the stacks are gone. Glass floors fail to meet present day building codes.
The project has had wide support within the community beginning back in 2004 when a foundation was set up to help raise funds. The project won Town Meeting support as well as a town-wide capital override referendum.
Construction actually began two years ago. Fund-raising for the project has continued. Donations have come in waves, with annual drives led by the Friends of the Library.
But Nov. 9 was a day to focus on the emotional contributions of the community – especially those of the young readers.
Karen Slodden, art director for the school system, worked with ceramics expert Brad Backer, and a group of Rotary volunteers to guide the creation of the new wall.
School Superintendent Mary Gormley was invited to create a ceramic tile for the mural. Her tile offers thanks to the people of Milton.
The original wall was built at the entrance to the Children’s Room off Reedsdale Road. Because it was epoxied to the structure, it crumbled during the demolition phase. The new wall will be movable.