Goodnow Lobby Transformed into 'Gathering Space'

A spot featuring the latest bestselling books and DVD releases. Cozy seating. Fresh-brewed coffee. A counter for laptop users.

If you think this sounds like an upscale book cafe, you’re almost right--it’s the new Community Gathering Space at the Goodnow Library. The aim is to create a cafe atmosphere, a place where Sudbury residents can go to linger, relax, enjoy.

Workers are putting the finishing touches on the area, which is on the first floor of the library facing the entrance. Fresh paint in colors of rich plum and warm vanilla energizes the formerly gray space.

The new chairs are already in place, as are new cherry display shelves, a cafe table, and a laptop counter with outlets for charging. A coffee station is set up to one side. Still to come is the 50-inch HD display screen, which will let patrons view upcoming library programs as well as pictures of past events.

The gathering space is the first joint project of the Goodnow Library Foundation and The Friends of the Goodnow Library. In late June, The Friends voted to fund the venture to the tune of $40,500.

“We hope it is a welcoming spot for patrons as they enter the library,” said Ingrid Mayyasi, president of The Friends. The group’s members ”are excited about the new community space because it will be a gathering spot for all.”

The Friends of the Goodnow Library and the Goodnow Library Foundation are different groups with different but complementary roles.

The Friends of the Goodnow Library are best known for their support of library programming featuring authors and, especially, for their many special events and programs for children. Over their thirty-year history, The Friends have given an estimated one million dollars to the library.

This year they decided to work with the Goodnow Library Foundation, a nonprofit created specifically to provide money for needed capital expenses that town budgets can’t fund. The foundation made its public debut in 2012. Since then, it has led the renovation of the Children’s Room and the restoration of Sudbury’s Civil War Monument in front of Goodnow.

The foundation also has donated Apple devices to the library as part of an ongoing technology upgrade.

“We hope that this is only the first of many projects of mutual interest where the two organizations will work together for the benefit of our community,” said Barbara Pryor, the foundation’s president.

According to Pryor, the idea for the new community gathering space came from library users. ”We heard from people that they wanted a place to sit, to read and feel comfortable,” Pryor said. ”People said they’d like to look over new books. They wanted coffee.”

Library staff members also had a say in the project. Their suggestions, including setting up a new self-checkout station, were incorporated into the lobby area design.

The gathering space is a dream come true for Goodnow Director Esme Green. Prior to the renovation, those coming into the building faced a space blocked off by high bookshelves. The entrance area was unappealing.

With the new furnishing, ”people are going to feel more immediately welcomed,” Green said. ”The atmosphere will be more relaxing and convivial. The focus is not on shelves of books but on places to sit and explore the collections.”

Green believes the renovation will build community within the library and, by extension, without. ”We will be able to showcase our new purchases. And with the seating and charging bar and open feel, people will be encouraged to sit and chat and meet up.”

Just like schools, libraries these days rely on community groups to raise funds to provide goods and services needed to meet users’ expectations. Green applauded the Foundation-Friends collaboration.

“I’m very gratified to see two support groups working together to help the library,” she said. ”To double down like this makes me feel the library is very lucky.”