A New Chapter for a Historic Library

By Mr. Johnson, 6th Grade Teacher

Earlier this week, on a sunny Tuesday in May, something wonderful happened in one of America’s most famous cities. In Washington, D.C., a very important library began a brand new chapter in its long story. The Folger Shakespeare Library, which first opened its doors to the public in 1932, reopened after being closed for several years for a major renovation. A renovation is a big project to repair, update, and improve a building.

This library isn’t just any library. It is home to the world’s largest collection of items related to William Shakespeare. Shakespeare was a famous playwright and poet who lived in England over 400 years ago. He wrote plays like Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

The Folger Library holds a true treasure: 82 copies of the First Folio. A “folio” is a word for a large book, and the First Folio is the first-ever collection of Shakespeare’s plays, printed in 1623. Without this book, we might have lost half of his plays forever! The library also has thousands of other old books, manuscripts (which are documents written by hand), and works of art.

For many years, the library was mostly a quiet place for scholars, or experts, to come and study these rare items. The building itself felt a bit like a secret castle, with dark wood and small reading rooms. The leaders of the library realized that Shakespeare’s stories belong to everyone—not just scholars. They wanted more people, especially students like you, to be able to explore and enjoy this incredible collection. So, they decided to change.

The big renovation project took about four years. Workers carefully modernized the building while respecting its history. They created new, bright, and welcoming spaces. Now, there is a large, sunlit hall where visitors can see some of the most precious items, like a First Folio, displayed safely in a glass case. There are interactive exhibits where you can learn about the language of Shakespeare’s time or even design a costume for one of his characters. They’ve even added a new teaching garden with plants mentioned in the plays!

The most exciting change might be that the library is now mostly free to visit. Before, it could be expensive or difficult to get in. Now, the goal is to welcome everyone. The director of the library said this week, “We want to invite the public in to discover not just Shakespeare, but the power of stories, poetry, and performance.” They plan to have family days, school tours, and fun workshops where kids can try acting out scenes.

This news is important because it shows how we can care for history while making it exciting for the future. Places like libraries and museums are not just storage rooms for old things. They are living places where we can connect with people from the past and discover new ideas. The Folger Library’s renovation reminds us that stories written centuries ago still have magic, humor, and lessons about life that we can understand today. By opening its doors wider, the library is ensuring that the next generation of readers, thinkers, and dreamers can find inspiration in its shelves.

So, if you ever find yourself in Washington, D.C., you can now walk into a piece of literary history. You can stand in front of the very book that saved Shakespeare’s plays and think about all the people over hundreds of years who have read those same words. It’s a powerful reminder that books and stories are timeless treasures, waiting for anyone curious enough to explore them.

Part A: Vocabulary in Context

Score: ___/5

Directions: Match each vocabulary word with its correct definition. Write the letter of the definition on the line provided.

Words:

____ Renovation
____ Collection
____ Manuscript
____ Scholar
____ Interactive

Definitions:
A) A document or book written by hand, not printed by a machine.
B) A person who studies a subject deeply and knows a lot about it; an expert.
C) A big project to repair, update, and improve a building or room.
D) A group of objects gathered together, like books, art, or coins.
E) Designed to allow the user to participate or respond, not just watch.

Part B: Multiple Choice Comprehension

Score: ___/5

Directions: Circle the letter of the best answer for each question.

What is the main reason the Folger Shakespeare Library was renovated?
A) Because the building was falling down.
B) To make it more welcoming and accessible to the public, not just scholars.
C) To move the entire collection to a new city.
D) To turn it into a regular public library with only new books.
Why is the First Folio mentioned in the passage so important?
A) It is the most expensive book in the world.
B) It is the only book the library owns.
C) It was the first collection of Shakespeare’s plays and saved many from being lost.
D) It was written by Shakespeare himself.
According to the passage, which of these is a NEW feature visitors can find at the renovated library?
A) A silent movie theater.
B) Interactive exhibits and a teaching garden.
C) A large swimming pool.
D) A restaurant serving Elizabethan food.
When did the Folger Shakespeare Library first open?
A) This year, in May.
B) In 1623, when the First Folio was printed.
C) In 1932.
D) Over 400 years ago, when Shakespeare was alive.
What is the author’s main message about places like the Folger Library?
A) They are only useful for historians and teachers.
B) They are boring storage rooms for old items.
C) They are living places that connect us with the past and inspire future generations.
D) They should charge money to keep their collections safe.

Part C: Short Answer Responses

Score: ___/10

Directions: Answer each question in complete sentences using information from the article.

Describe how the library has changed physically since the renovation. Mention at least two specific changes from the text.
Why might Shakespeare’s plays from over 400 years ago still be considered important today? Use an idea from the article to support your answer.
The article says the library feels like a “living place.” What do you think this means? Explain using details from the text or your own ideas.

Part D: Critical Thinking & Extension

Score: ___/5

If you were to design a new interactive exhibit for this library about one of Shakespeare’s plays, which play would you choose and what would the exhibit be like?

Answer Key & Grading Rubric

Part A: Vocabulary Matching

C – Renovation
D – Collection
A – Manuscript
B – Scholar
E – Interactive

Scoring: 1 point each

Part B: Multiple Choice

B – To make it more welcoming and accessible to the public, not just scholars.
C – It was the first collection of Shakespeare’s plays and saved many from being lost.
B – Interactive exhibits and a teaching garden.
C – In 1932.
C – They are living places that connect us with the past and inspire future generations.

Scoring: 1 point each

Part C: Short Answer (Sample Answers)

The library was modernized with new, bright, and welcoming spaces. Specific changes include: (1) a large, sunlit hall to display precious items, and (2) interactive exhibits and a teaching garden.
Shakespeare’s plays are still important today because their stories contain universal themes like magic, humor, and lessons about life that people can still understand and relate to, even centuries later.
A “living place” means it is active and engaging, not just a storage room. The library now hosts events, workshops, and interactive displays that allow people to connect with history in a dynamic way, making the past feel relevant to the present.

Scoring: Question 1 (3 points), Question 2 (3 points), Question 3 (4 points)

Part D: Critical Thinking (Sample Answer)

I would design an exhibit about “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” The exhibit would have a magical forest setting with sound effects of crickets and rustling leaves. Visitors could try on fairy wings, solve riddles from the play, and use touchscreens to mix up the love potions that cause all the confusion in the story.
Scoring: 5 points for creativity, connection to the text, and clear description