Fitchburg Public Library

I can’t believe it took me two years, but I finally visited the Fitchburg Public Library for the first time over the weekend. I was quite impressed with the staff and the library’s offerings. I used to be one of those people who read all the time, even picking up a second major in English as an undergraduate to dilute out the often mind-numbing science classes. Yet once I reached graduate school and was faced with a never-ending stack of tedious assigned reading and academic research, reading for pleasure was quickly dismissed.

I set foot in the Fitchburg Library this weekend and was immediately transported back to the days when reading was fun. The stacks are arranged for comfortable browsing, and there was a lot more than just books to offer. The public computers seemed particularly popular, but I was most drawn to the books-on-CD section. What a great way to pass the time while commuting! I was also surprised that so many movie DVDs were available...free rentals are much preferred over the $5 Blockbuster rental fees or the monthly Netflix charge! There were quite a few music CDs as well. In preparation for an upcoming trip to Costa Rica, I checked out a CD/book combo to teach myself some Spanish (both European and Central American Spanish versions were available).

After we left the library, my husband and I decided to spend some time wandering around the downtown area. I’ve always enjoyed the classic look driving through the area, but I gained a much better appreciation for some of the architectural details on our walk. We browsed a couple of shops, including Design at 639, which showcased a variety of furniture and artwork items. Somewhat to our surprise, there were actually quite a few other people strolling down Main Street. Overall, the downtown had a very nice look and feel to it, and I remain quite hopeful that more businesses will choose to open in the area.