Remote Work Upgrades

Libraries have always been about connecting people with the resources they need. While that used to mean strictly lending physical books, today’s world requires us to bridge the gap between historic preservation and modern utility. To do exactly that, we recently underwent a series of upgrades funded by the Remote Work Through Libraries grant.

This grant allowed us to intentionally design and enhance areas of the library to support the changing needs of our residents, particularly remote workers, freelancers, small business owners, and students. We’ve integrated comfortable, ergonomic seating and spacious desks into our light-filled corners. These areas are designed for anyone who needs to plug in, tune out distractions, and have a productive workday. We’ve outfitted our large community room with versatile, movable desks and chairs. This flexible setup can easily be rearranged to perfectly accommodate any type of large or small group setting, from collaborative workshops to independent study sessions. Free Wi-Fi can be accessed anywhere in the building including outside on the patio and in the parking lot. To support a truly productive environment, we also provide noise barriers and white noise machines for semi-private meetings or telehealth calls, along with charging bricks and noise-canceling headphones available for use. Parents and caregivers can also stay productive thanks to our new family workstation down in the children's room, which allows families to get work done while keeping a close eye on their little ones.

For over a century, this library has stood as a cornerstone of Alfred. These grant-funded upgrades ensure that we remain just as relevant and supportive today as we were when our doors first opened.