In addition, the pandemic began at a time when our community, like the nation as a whole, was deeply polarized. Particularly in the early days of the pandemic, we came together as a community in ways that were both familiar and inspiring to help our vulnerable neighbors. I hoped that this project would help us hold onto the deep investment in our "commonwealth" that we rekindled when living under "lock down" and facing shortages in necessities from face masks to toilet tissue.

In addition to creating a digital respository and book of these images, I had planned to print a traveling display that would provide a retrospective view of life during the pandemic, but, sadly, the crisis is not yet behind us. At the time of this printing, vaccines have been developed and administered, but we have not yet reached "herd immunity." New vaccines might be necessary to counter mutations of the virus. Hospitalizations remain high, especially in winter months. Therapeutic treatments are being developed, but none as yet is highly effective and widely available. Children are back at school but still masked; many workplaces have put the physical return on their full staff on hold. But the possibility of returning to something close to "normal times" seems tantalizingly close. Perhaps the retrospective aspect of this project will be possible soon.

This project was made possible through support of many in our community. Town Manager Robert LaLecheur and Library Director Amy Fang Lannon gave generous support and expert guidance. Librarians Kathryn Geoffrion Scannell and Eileen Barrett provided technical expertise in collecting and cataloging the images; NOBLE (North of Boston Library Exchange) offered to host the digital collection. The Reading Cultural Council funded printing of the book. The Reading Coalition helped publicize the project by featuring it on their "Community Connections" program that airs on RCTV (Reading Community Television) and reporter David Maroney helped spread the work by writing about the project in the Reading Daily Times Chronicle. The most important support of all came from those who contributed the images and text featured in these pages. Thank you for allowing me the privilege of collecting and sharing your work.

--Sherri L. VandenAkker