On Saturday, July 19, we were honored to launch a Uni portable reading room for Boston with help from Mayor Martin J. Walsh. The location was downtown’s Rose Fitzgerald Kennedy Greenway, where this Uni will remain, popping up at different locations along the park all summer.
The Uni was the first winner of the Mayor’s 2014 Public Space Invitational to launch, and we were able to do so thanks to sponsor Robert Half, Howeler + Yoon Architecture, and partners Boston Public Library and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
Special thanks to new Uni volunteers from Simmons Graduate School of Library and Information Sciences, and to all of the friends and supporters who came out.
More press and information about the Boston Uni is here. The Mayor’s Office press release is here. Leslie was also interviewed by Mayor Walsh—see the video here. Keep an eye out for more dates and details on the Greenway’s website.
First, we picked up our new Uni cart from HY Architecture’s shop near South Station. Thanks Costanza and Neil!
This is how we roll. Eight city blocks, though morning commuters. No truck needed.
Scoping out locations in the Wharf District Parks.
WBUR’s Anthony Brooks, host of Radio Boston, stopped by to interview Leslie and Sam and our first patrons.
We brought balloons.
Mayor Walsh arrives and chats with patrons.
The Mayor brought books for the collection, so Leslie asked if he would write a short book recommendation.
The Mayor recommended Shel Silverstein’s The Giving Tree.
The Mayor’s donations to the Uni Boston collection.
I appear to be advocating for a Uni on every street corner in Boston. (Actually, I was explaining how it closes up.)
Leslie is interviewed by Mayor Walsh for the City of Boston’s MAKER CHATS series.
New Uni volunteer librarians, Carenanne and Hillary, with Leslie and Sam.
Leslie and Sam with Charlie McCabe, Director of Programs for the Greenway, now in charge of the Uni. Launched!