The Reader
Written and Photographed by Nancy Clover
Have you noticed the charming bronze statue outside the Melrose Public Library?
Meet The Reader — a timeless work by artist Carolyn Wirth, installed in 1999–2000 through the generosity of the Friends of the Melrose Public Library.
Seated on a granite bench, this bronze figure depicts a child lost in the magic of a book, a stack of stories close at hand. When I spoke with the artist, Carolyn, she was delighted to know that children see themselves in The Reader — that it feels special and familiar to them. She even shared a photo of the statue bundled in snow, wearing a little winter hat, which perfectly captures its enduring charm.
The Reader is more than a statue — it’s an open invitation to pause, rest, and celebrate the joy of reading.
