Library finally opens in Chinatown, for a season
Oct 23, 2009
By Samuel Tsoi
On Washington Street, passers-by on the busy sidewalk by the Chinatown T-Station were curious to see a lion dance celebrating the opening of the Chinatown Storefront Library.
The reopening of library services in Chinatown on Wednesday, October 14th was a long overdue moment. The neighborhood has demanded a library since the closing of the Tyler Street branch in 1956 to make way for infrastructure development.
The library, however, only has a three-month lifespan. “We hope [the temporary library] will demonstrate the serious need for a community and cultural space,” Lisette Le of the Chinese Progressive Association said.
For six days a week, visitors can browse through donated books in Chinese and English. Users can also surf the internet on computer kiosks and read Chinese newspapers and periodicals.
Educational and community events have already been scheduled in the temporary library’s art, children and meeting areas. Community announcements and information on Chinatown’s development also fill the walls, along with documentation of the innovative project’s journey.
“The Storefront Library is an experiment to bring library services to a deserving neighborhood,” said Leslie Devol, co-founder of the Boston Street Lab. Devol, her husband and two young children, reside in Chinatown.
“This is also an experiment of activating vacant space, and realizing possibilities for Downtown Boston,” Devol said. “A library is not just a place to borrow books, but also a cultural center,” said Suzanne Lee, principal of the Josiah Quincy School.
Residents and activists, both young and old, have long advocated for the restoration of this important community asset. This group of advocates formed Friends of the Chinatown Library, and spent many years lobbying the city to re-open a library in Chinatown.
In a relatively short amount of time, the Boston Street Lab brought together designers, planners, businesses and civic groups to launch a temporary library.
The storefront was donated by Archstone, the real estate firm which developed the namesake luxury condominium. The project was advised by Simmons College and Boston Public Library, and was also part of a feasibility study commissioned by the city.
“We hope the design of this temporary library will usher in a permanent one for Chinatown,” said Marrikka Trotter, the lead coordinator of the Harvard design team who crafted and installed the sculptural, inventive and portable furniture.
Virtually the entire Boston city council, candidates and the mayor were present at the opening. Many of Chinatown’s civic leaders, the state legislature, Boston Redevelopment Authority and the governor’s office also came to mark this proud moment.
“We need all of you to continue supporting library services in Chinatown, ” said Suzanne Lee, principal of the Josiah Quincy School. The Storefront Library has not only filled a vacant space, but a missing chapter in Chinatown’s story – and many hope to see it remain.
For hours, events and information, visit www.storefrontlibrary.org
Samuel Tsoi is a Sampan correspondent.
On Washington Street, passers-by on the busy sidewalk by the Chinatown T-Station were curious to see a lion dance celebrating the opening of the Chinatown Storefront Library.
The reopening of library services in Chinatown on Wednesday, October 14th was a long overdue moment. The neighborhood has demanded a library since the closing of the Tyler Street branch in 1956 to make way for infrastructure development.
The library, however, only has a three-month lifespan. “We hope [the temporary library] will demonstrate the serious need for a community and cultural space,” Lisette Le of the Chinese Progressive Association said.
For six days a week, visitors can browse through donated books in Chinese and English. Users can also surf the internet on computer kiosks and read Chinese newspapers and periodicals.
Educational and community events have already been scheduled in the temporary library’s art, children and meeting areas. Community announcements and information on Chinatown’s development also fill the walls, along with documentation of the innovative project’s journey.
“The Storefront Library is an experiment to bring library services to a deserving neighborhood,” said Leslie Devol, co-founder of the Boston Street Lab. Devol, her husband and two young children, reside in Chinatown.
“This is also an experiment of activating vacant space, and realizing possibilities for Downtown Boston,” Devol said. “A library is not just a place to borrow books, but also a cultural center,” said Suzanne Lee, principal of the Josiah Quincy School.
Residents and activists, both young and old, have long advocated for the restoration of this important community asset. This group of advocates formed Friends of the Chinatown Library, and spent many years lobbying the city to re-open a library in Chinatown.
In a relatively short amount of time, the Boston Street Lab brought together designers, planners, businesses and civic groups to launch a temporary library.
The storefront was donated by Archstone, the real estate firm which developed the namesake luxury condominium. The project was advised by Simmons College and Boston Public Library, and was also part of a feasibility study commissioned by the city.
“We hope the design of this temporary library will usher in a permanent one for Chinatown,” said Marrikka Trotter, the lead coordinator of the Harvard design team who crafted and installed the sculptural, inventive and portable furniture.
Virtually the entire Boston city council, candidates and the mayor were present at the opening. Many of Chinatown’s civic leaders, the state legislature, Boston Redevelopment Authority and the governor’s office also came to mark this proud moment.
“We need all of you to continue supporting library services in Chinatown, ” said Suzanne Lee, principal of the Josiah Quincy School. The Storefront Library has not only filled a vacant space, but a missing chapter in Chinatown’s story – and many hope to see it remain.
For hours, events and information, visit www.storefrontlibrary.org
Samuel Tsoi is a Sampan correspondent.
Article Reference: http://www.sampan.org/show_article.php?display=2145
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