Darien Library will unveil four new work and study pods, which will be made available to the public at a Ribbon-Cutting ceremony on Tuesday, October 1 at 9:30 a.m.
These modular, soundproofed work spaces will include two four-person meeting rooms and two “phone booth-style” individual pods — all made possible by a generous $63,000 grant from the Darien Foundation. The modular rooms, manufactured by ROOM, will provide spaces for all Library members to conduct video conferencing calls, online job interviews, in-person meetings, and more.
In the wake of COVID and the rise of Zoom meetings, Darien Library has seen a surge in demand for their meeting rooms. Nearly every day, available meeting room bookings fill before noon, and they are forced to turn away more than 100 people each week.
“This incredibly generous grant from The Darien Foundation enables us to meet the demands of our community, providing comfortable ‘talking room’ options that allow working adults, students, and small groups to work, study, and connect collaboratively,” says Kiera Parrott, Director of Darien Library.
The addition of the four study pods will more than triple the Library’s weekly study space availability, allowing them to accommodate more than 100 new patrons looking for remote work spaces. “We have seen the need for additional work and meeting spaces in Darien, and the Darien Foundation felt this was a worthy project to support,” says the Darien Foundation committee member, Keri MacColl, “The Library also functions as a community center that serves all demographics in our town.”
Darien Library cardholders wishing to reserve a space will be able to do so by visiting darienlibrary.org/reserve-room, by contacting the Reference Desk at 203-669-5236, or by emailing reference@darienlibrary.org.
Community members are invited to attend and see the new spaces for themselves at the official Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony on Tuesday October 1 at 9:30 am.