Reading Garden Project 2005-2006

Site Preparation Library Board Pardon Our Mess! Ben Nunley Tom Reed Bricks Clearing Boarding the Window Drainage Problem Taking Out the Frame Jim & Chaille Removing Glass Workers Noisy, Necessary Neighbors Water line Footer Outline Takes Shape Blocks Arrive Bricklayer Brick workers Lining up A Window! Construction Leah Angell & Kristie Maynard Fixing a leak Taking shape Brickworks A Break Cement Early August Wall Window Block Tuffet Children's Grotto Debbie Cosper & Ben Nunley Debbie Gate Outside Another Outside View Surveying Ben Pouring Concrete More Concrete Bi-color Floor Children's Grotto Through the Window Working on the Door Door Out Door In In Place Adding Glass Done Tying Almost Another Opening Broken Glass Door Done Walls Coming Together Worker Ladder Top Ironworks From Exterior Work Goes on Taking Shape Windows Gate Gate View 1st Public Tour! Reception Mike & Suzanne New Entrance Steve & Suzanne Mayor Steve Gilmore Debbie Outside Grand Opening David Carter Steve Gilmore Suzanne Stavros Food Touring Exercise Class Gardener Ed Brown Gardening Class

This photo essay shows the development of the new Reading Garden, from the site preparation in May 2005 to the Grand Opening in April 2006. The Reading Garden ties the library in with The Library Commons, a joint venture of the library district and the city of Ashland to blend in nicely with adjacent Central Park. "The Reading Garden provides a charming bridge between the library and the park," said Director Debbie Cosper. "It transforms what was a mismatched building and an uninspiring span of grass into something extraordinary."