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Addition funded by the 2019 Bond

The big addition at Arlington High School is scheduled to open Jan. 8.

But Arlington High’s librarian, Maryjane O’Halloran-Beane, is already moving in, getting the new library ready to welcome students. The fine arts programs – like band and orchestra – have gotten a jumpstart, too.

Is it going to be ready on time?

“Absolutely,” O’Halloran-Beane said.

“I’m so excited,” she said. “I’ve been the librarian for 30 years. For the first time in 30 years, I have windows.”

O’Halloran-Beane is excited about a lot of things. Just ask her, and she can give you a long list.

And for good reason. The open-concept library evokes a university feel and is eye-catching with towering ceilings and modern lighting.   

Those are just some of the things O’Halloran-Beane likes. There are the lights and the wood strip ceiling that absorbs sound. There are quiet study areas, lots of seating, plugs and projectors. And there are multiple collaboration spaces – or “think areas,” as O’Halloran-Beane calls them – “areas where kids can come and work and collaborate.”

One of the think areas has a bunch of chess sets.

“I have a huge amount of chess players,” O’Halloran-Beane said.

And another area will include the Lego sets that are a huge hit with students.

“The new library gives the students more options, places to work, places to study and hopefully places to read,” O’Halloran-Beane said.

There’s just one thing O’Halloran-Beane doesn’t like.

“There’s not enough green in here,” she said.

But she’ll fix that. Green chairs are coming, and O’Halloran-Beane will add green with artwork and antique busts of famous authors that have a green tint.

Get a sneak peak of the library and the entire addition with .

The addition includes way more than the library. There’s a new front entrance, new classrooms, a new orchestra room, a new band hall, a new art room, a new art studio, a new dance studio and more – all funded by the 2019 Bond.