The Woburn Public Library is the New Room of Requirement

The Woburn Public Library is quickly becoming recognized as an innovative leading library on the regional, national, and international stage.

Walking into the Woburn Public Library, one is immediately struck by the grandeur of the H.H. Richardson architecture, the stateliness of the Frizzell Hall, the beauty and striking art displayed in the Richardson gallery and the depth of the Glennon Archive and the Historic Artifacts room, with its intricate exhibits detailing Woburn’s history.

Exploring further, one is enveloped by the energy and enthusiasm of people utilizing the library. The Children’s Room is abuzz with children and families, exploring everything from the collections to the recently added playhouse, and attending any of a multitude of programs. The Teen Room is a dynamic space filled with enthusiastic shouts and laughter, as teens delve into
areas of interest, and participate in activities designed just for them. The Makerspace is coming alive with a rigorous programming schedule offering everything from 3D design and printing to knitting and sewing. New library card registration has skyrocketed!

Opening in March 2019, the renovated and greatly expanded physical facility is a wonder to behold. Woburn has truly built an exemplary foundation for public library services. With Bonnie Roalsen, the new library director, at the helm, the Woburn Public Library is poised to rapidly become the first in a new paradigm of public libraries, redefining time, space, and
possibility.

Director Roalsen is a nationally recognized and sought after speaker, innovator, and educator in the library science field. She was honored by Library Journal as a ‘Mover and Shaker’ in 2007 as an emerging leader and changemaker in libraries for her work transforming and moving libraries
forward. In 2012, her hard work during her tenure at the Dover Town Library helped the library earn recognition by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation as one of the best small libraries in North America. Recently as Director of the Dedham Public Library, she transformed the Dedham libraries into highly utilized and vibrant community institutions, demonstrating how libraries can
thrive and prosper in the digital age.

“It is such a pleasure to be working in the City of Woburn, with its rich history of industry and invention, deep sense of community, and its eye towards the future. The Library has such an extremely talented and experienced library staff, visionary and dedicated trustees, diverse community, and deeply supportive Friends group, Foundation, and community partners,” says
Roalsen.

Roalsen has jumped right in. The Library recently expanded its hours to offer the community year round Saturdays, providing greater access to all the library offers. She immediately began designing and is starting to implement a digital framework for service to transform the library as a platform to serve the public with greater impact and reach.

“Public libraries have such an important role at the center of communities. Every day when we open our doors we are here to help people. Every day we facilitate the expansion of people’s personal and information networks through encounters with new people, new ideas, new perspectives, new cultures, new pieces of knowledge, and new experiences in safe environments
imbued with kindness and conviviality. We help build human networks of possibility. #alltogethernow We are always asking how can we design a better platform meeting the needs of today’s world with an eye toward the 22nd century...a platform which deepens and expands people’s possibilities...a platform which offers the richest possibilities for discovery, participation, creativity, and experience,” says Roalsen.

Society and our daily lives are quickly being transformed by disruptive technologies which offer exciting possibilities for the future and are expanding the scope of what a public library can be. When Roalsen looks at blockchain, IoT (internet of things), artificial intelligence, mobile tech,
robotics and automation, big data, augmented reality, and virtual reality among others, she sees an amazing future ahead for public libraries just waiting to be built, as does Rebecca Meehan, Assistant Director and John Walsh, Assistant Director for Innovation and Technology.

“In a time where algorithms are picking what we watch, what we read, and which social groups we might want to join - the library offers opportunities for real time human connection. The Woburn library actively creates opportunities for expression, creativity, and community. #teamhuman all
the way,” says Rebecca Meehan, Assistant Director at the Woburn Public Library.

As new technologies push humanity forward in greater leaps and bounds, it becomes even more essential to strengthen human networks. “That’s where the library steps in,” says Meehan. “Like music? Come to a concert. Interested in creating music in a group setting and having a few laughs? Try our ukulele band for beginners, or our Garageband (digital) composition classes.” The library’s upcoming artist-in-residence program gives the community access to an ever-changing lineup of fine artists as they explore their own creativity. “People need connection and the means to express themselves,” continues Meehan. “The key is embracing new technologies in order to provide equitable access to the means of expression.” The library has plans to open a public production studio that can be used by the community to record and broadcast performances,
podcasts, and discussions with local and national figures.

“We can now design and implement library services both as an experience as well as a stage for a wide range of experiences for the public across time and space and throughout a global world. The science fiction of yesterday is becoming the reality of today and we are so fortunate to be working in libraries as the world has the opportunity to redefine so much of its infrastructure and many systems,” says Director Roalsen.

By viewing library collections, as Roalsen does, as bundles of content and data rather than simply and exclusively focusing on the format, public libraries are able to weave content and data together to create more dimensional collections as well as a richer user experience. Collections can
now be designed with cohesive and multiple points of access to appeal to the broadest possible set of learning preferences as well as eliminating any time and space barriers to access. They can also create a multitude of experiential learning opportunities with which users can engage with as individuals or groups, live or online.

“It is such a joy to see people using the library in so many different capacities, and so exciting to know this is just the beginning,” says Roalsen.

Roalsen plans to deepen the Woburn library’s support for multiple literacies as well, ranging from basic to math, scientific, technological, and specialized literacies, across all ages. The library will continue to expand its early and adult literacy programming and efforts, build upon its early efforts to encourage STEAM (Science, Tech, Engineering, Art, and Math), and create many opportunities to explore and build competencies with GRIN technologies (Genetics, Robotics, InfoTech, and Nanotechnology).

John Walsh, Assistant Director for Innovation and Technology is rapidly developing the Makerspace, its tech and tools, and expanding its programming and support possibilities for the public with the help of the very talented Woburn Public Library staff. For those new to the term, a Makerspace is a location with all manner of equipment to facilitate hands-on experiential
learning. The library runs numerous classes on using equipment which ranges from a laser cutter to 3D printers to sewing machines and more.

In addition to running the Makerspace, John will be launching makeBELIEVE, which will combine Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and 3D printing with traditional library programming to create multi-sensory learning experiences for patrons of all ages. makeBELIEVE looks to combine the traditional library experience of a community gathering with technology inclusive of Virtual Reality Journeys across the world, space and time, with Augmented Reality where we can map ourselves onto and into the location with tactile experiences of touching historical replicas. But it’s not just about the consumption of experience but the creation and remixing of knowledge.
Libraries, especially the Woburn Public Library, have always been guardians and repositories for the rich historical tapestry that is Woburn. makeBELIEVE will include the generation and creation of content showcasing Woburn resident’s experiences of and during significant historical events.

“We’re seeing an unprecedented opportunity of fusion between creation and technology. As methods of learning fracture into different formats, the Woburn library offers training and facilities to support the community’s creativity. How many Teslas has the world missed out on because they never had access to the knowledge and resources they needed? One would be too many. From manufacturing to art, to podcasts to robotics, it heralds back to Benjamin Franklin’s original idea of libraries circulating and supporting more than books. The old is new again, just with lasers and robots this time,”says John Walsh, Assistant Director for Innovation and Technology at the Woburn Public Library.

The library is the fabled Room of Requirement, made famous in the Harry Potter novels. It is a destination, an incubator for ideas, a refuge when you need it, and place to create community. “My very favorite thing,” says Assistant Director Meehan, “is seeing the same person or family visit three or four times a week because there’s always something that they want to do at the library. That’s just incredible.”

What lies ahead over at the Woburn Public Library?

Expect the broad and fantastic programs currently offered at the library to expand and deepen in response to the overwhelming community demand.

Expect the user experience to become more tightly integrated, offering quick, easy, and unified ways to explore the depth and richness of the library’s digital and physical content at the individual object level or across the physical spaces in the library and across the city.

Expect richer public library collections with broader access.

Expect greater opportunities to engage in experiential learning opportunities.

Expect greater opportunities for human connection and community and conversation.

Expect the best. Share your needs and hopes for the library with Director Roalsen and Assistant Director Meehan as we are building the future together as a community.

And please, the next time you are in downtown Woburn, take a moment and reacquaint yourself with the Woburn Public Library, and continue to visit. You will be amazed at what you’ll find.