South Shore Bank Donation Sparks Renovation at Thayer Library

Braintree, MA – Sparked by a $25,000 donation from South Shore Bank, the Thayer Public Library unveiled its newly renovated children’s room at a ribbon cutting.

Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan was on-hand to celebrate the occasion. He was joined by South Shore Bank President Paul Pecci, library trustees and other local dignitaries at this event.

The new children’s room features a discovery space area that is named in honor of South Shore Bank. The commitment to Thayer Public Library was started by Braintree Co-Operative Bank, and continued following its merger with South Shore Bank.

“Today is a very proud day for our community, underlying the importance of continued education,” said Braintree Mayor Joseph Sullivan. “The library is really a cornerstone commitment of any community in terms of quality of life. This library will be 20-years-old next year. This enhancement that we’re doing in terms of the children’s room deserves the attention that we give it. The funding that we give it publicly, the private donations that come in, really makes a significant difference.”

“We began our commitment to public education many years ago, specifically our relationship with this wonderful library, long before this building was constructed,” said Paul Pecci, President of South Shore Bank. “Braintree Co-Operative Bank was a large supporter of this building back then and we are so very pleased to lend our support again as South Shore Bank to bring to life a safe and friendly area of the library.”

South Shore Bank’s generous donation helped create this area for toddlers (ages 0-3) and allowed the library to purchase many items that children will use for imaginative play. This type of activity aids in development. The area as a whole will provide much needed opportunities for children and families to interact with each other and help build early literacy skills.

The bank’s donation was also used to purchase a train table, puppet playhouse, magnetic board, and other essential items for the story time area. In addition, a new electronic sign board will be located in the lobby of the library.

“What we wanted was a space that was vibrant, bright, inviting, flexible and creative to create lifelong library learners,” said Connie Collier, Assistant Director of Thayer Public Library. “We think we created that with this room.”

The focal point of the new children’s room is the interactive wall art, featuring various landmarks around Braintree. The concept was created by Arrowstreet Architecture and Design.

“We thought a nice idea to involve the kids, to involve the community, was to create the wall graphic that is part of the learning experience of the library,” said Larry Spang, Principal at Arrowstreet, the Boston-based architecture and design firm that created the children’s room. “We were thrilled to assist the community in designing this space.”