OCTOBER 2026

Growing For The Future

This month, I’m excited to talk about something growing outside our Library: new trees!

Our contractors have worked hard to preserve as many of the mature trees on the property as possible, but our renovated campus will need even more trees to provide shade and create a welcoming environment for visitors.

Just outside our new Create Room, contractors are installing a stormwater retention basin. Beneath the basin is an innovative system called a DeepRoot Silva Cell, which provides trees with large volumes of uncompacted soil for deep root growth.

Why does that matter? Normally, the weight of sidewalks, pavement, and other hard surfaces can compact the soil beneath them, leaving tree roots with little room to grow. The Silva Cell system supports the concrete above while protecting the soil below, giving tree roots the space they need to grow and mature.

It’s a win-win for our Library. The system provides a place to capture and manage stormwater while giving our new trees access to that water and the healthy soil they need for long-term growth.

According to DeepRoot, the company behind the Silva Cell system, “The first trees planted in Silva Cells were planted over 10 years ago. Now more than 20,000 trees are growing in Silva Cells, in over 1,500 projects in 20 countries around the world, and we’re adding more every day.”

Who knew there was so much technology behind helping a tree grow? You really do learn something new every day!

A New Way In

Progress also continues on the Sunrise Way median project, which will provide us with a new driveway and improve the flow of traffic in and out of the Library parking lot.

I have to admit, I felt a little giddy driving through that new driveway for the first time, like a bride crossing the threshold. After a year of construction, it was exciting to see this important piece of the project taking shape.

We appreciate everyone's patience as this traffic-impacting work continues. Our construction team is working as quickly and safely as practicable to complete the project, and we look forward to having this work behind us soon.