The Portable Reading Room Brings Books Outdoors

The Portable Reading Room is bringing reading to Boston’s public spaces.

A winning project of Mayor Martin J. Walsh’s first Public Space Invitational held in June, The Portable Reading Room has been debuted on the Rose Kennedy Greenway. 

The rolling library, also called “Uni,” is the creation of Leslie and Sam Davol, according to a statement from the Mayor's office.

“A great collection of books and comfortable seating in public space brings people out and brings out the best in people,” said Leslie Davol. “It makes the scale of the city feel more intimate, and it says to people--especially kids--that books and learning are something that we value.”

An interview between Leslie and Mayor Walsh explaining how The Portable Reading Room works can be watched above. 

“This is another great example of how creative ideas for public space make our city more livable,” said Mayor Walsh, in the statement. “I think our streets, plazas, and sidewalks can be our classrooms, our community centers, and our art galleries. Reading is so important for people of all ages, and I’m pleased that we are partnering to bringing that opportunity directly to the people.”

Uni will become part of both large and small events on the Greenway during the rest of the summer and into the fall. 

It will be featured during the upcoming Boston Figment Festival on the Greenway on Saturday, July 26, and Sunday, July 27, and during the annual Truck and Tractor Day on Tuesday, August 5.

Uni is one of nine winners from Boston First Public Space Invitational, a design competition to re-think public space facilitated by the Streetscape Lab of the Mayor's Office of New Urban Mechanics. The Streetscape Lab is focused on exploring how to make Boston's public spaces greener, smarter, and more awesome.