Big changes are happening at the Nan Boothby Memorial Library to be unveiled at the end of the month.
Earlier this year, 12 trucks of gravel were taken from the front of the building to prepare the space for a reading garden, thanks to and dedicated to the late Penelope (Penny) West.
West was very active with the library until she died in the summer of 2014, when she made her final donation and it was also requested people donate to the charities of their choice in lieu of flowers.
“The front yard will now be a place for people to read and relax – it will be a reading garden meant for people to sit and enjoy, we are really excited about it,” said Jeri Maitland, executive director of the library.
Over the past couple weeks, gravel has been taken out and replaced by grass now covering the area. Five trees have also been planted around the yard and a walkway constructed.
Organizers are still waiting on some of the finishing items, including flowers and benches but said they are excited for the launch at the end of the month.
“It will be great to finally have that space and it looks great,” Maitland said.
The new reading garden will invite readers to sit outside, library staff will also offer a variety of programs throughout the summer including story time for younger children.
“Hopefully there are also some random acts of gardening throughout the summer,” Maitland said with a laugh.
And the inside of the library is just as busy as the outside.
Husband and wife duo Greg Christensen and Louise Robinson, from Cochrane, have started painting a mural inside the library.
“It is going to be a fun, interactive painting for the children’s side,” Robinson said. “I’m really excited for the painting (to be finished) and it has been fun to incorporate some of Cochrane’s history.”
Christensen and Robinson have been married for 39 years and this will be their first indoor public mural.
“We used the inspiration from the old posters ‘Go West Young Man.’ It is not a realistic painting but it does have a lot of Cochrane’s historical (buildings) in there,” Robinson said.
The library’s executive director said she wants the space to be engaging for the youth and the mural will be a nod to the town’s heritage.
“We wanted to do something different and modern, while pulling in the local history,” Maitland said.
And none of the project uses taxpayers money, according to the director. The new art is being funded through leftover money from the Friends of Nan Boothby Library, a group of volunteers who host fundraising events with proceeds going to the library.
“It is going to be spectacular, who doesn’t love trains,” Maitland said.
While the mural does not have a set finish date, the director is hopeful to unveil the artwork in the summer.
“It has been busy but we want to be a great space for the community,” Maitland said.
To take a look at some of the changes, visit the Nan Boothby Library at 405 Railway St. W.
