Flash Mob Hits Woburn Library Saturday

Although many people think of the library as a quiet place, the got loud Saturday afternoon as expansion supporters held a small demonstration.

At 1:32 p.m. March 12—3/12, seeing a pattern here?—members of the Yes To Our Library group created a flash mob in the study hall area of the library by arriving shortly before 1:30 p.m., finding a seat, shouting, “Shhhhhhhhhhhh! Yes to our library!” and then leaving. (Check out our video for the full flash mob!) 

The Yes To Our Library group is looking for the city to for an addition to the .

In an attempt to show that the expansion is needed, library supporters showed how crowded the study hall area can get when residents use the library on the weekend. With more than 100 people there, many had to find seats on the floor in the alcoves.

Why today?

Why 1:32 on 3/12? Teen librarian Christi Showman-Farrar explained that the Woburn Public Library is officially 132 years old this year. In celebration of that fact, the “flash mob” event was scheduled for 1:32 p.m. on 3/12.

The library was a gift to the city of Woburn in 1875 by Charles Bowers Winn, whose family had encouraged the free public library in 1854 by offering money to help pay for the library services.

In 1879, the Woburn Public Library the city knows today opened for business, thanks to $140,000 from Winn. The building, which is on the National Historic Register, was designed by famous librarian architect Henry H. Richardson.

Why expand?

Yes To Our Library supporters argue that expansion is needed because the city has outgrown the historic building on Pleasant Street.

The Massachusetts Board of Library Commissioners has recommendations for services and spaces that a public library should provide to a community. This chart outlines the minimum recommendations for a city the size of Woburn. 

State Recommendations vs. Proposed Building Project

State Recommendation

Sq. Ft.

Building Project

Sq. Ft.

Sq. Ft. Difference

Seats

152

4,560

139

4,170

-390

Books

140,600

14,060

123,850

11,208

-2,852

Staff workstations

24

3,000

16

2,080

-920

Information provided by Woburn Public Library Trustees