The Bernice Yates Community Reading Garden
Westlake Porter Public Library

Garden Diagram

Construction Photographs:

Partnerships to make the Garden complete! (Adobe PDF)
Photo: Garden open to public. Guilford
Ready for your enjoyment.

Garden dedicated July 25

The Bernice Yates Community Reading Garden dedication ceremony took place on Monday, July 25, 2005, about five months after construction began. The garden is now open for public enjoyment:

  • April through October weather permitting
  • Monday - Thursday: 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
  • Friday & Saturday: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Sunday: 1 to 4:30 p.m. -- when the library is open

No cellular phone use and no smoking is permitted in the garden. Wi-Fi wireless networking is available for personal notebook computer users who wish to use their computers in the garden.

The Reading Garden was made possible through the generous bequest of longtime library user and reader, Bernice Yates. In addition to the Yates bequest, support for the Reading Garden is coming from the Westlake Garden Club, Friends of Porter Public Library, Herb Guild, and individual donors. Additional partners and individual donors are being sought.

The Reading Garden was designed by Holzheimer Bolek Architects. Holzheimer’s firm also designed the library building. Kizcek Builders was selected as the Reading Garden contractor. Construction is expected to take about four months. A summer grand opening celebration is planned.

Whole Garden Diagram - original design concept, since changed.The Bernice Yates Reading Garden is envisioned as a pleasant area where users can enjoy nature and reading simultaneously. The area will be landscaped and will have seating to accommodate readers. Tables and chairs will facilitate lunch or a coffee break outside. Two building corners surrounding the Reading Garden will be connected by an aesthetic fence for security. A walkway, central area constructed of brick and/or concrete, and a fountain or two will add to the aesthetics of the area.

Groundbreaking photo.The groundbreaking ceremony for the Reading Garden took place Friday, March 4, 2005 at Westlake Porter Public Library. The ceremony marked the start of construction for the Reading Garden, which will be located just outside of the curved glass wall at the west end of the library’s Popular Materials area.