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WATERVILLE -- After months of hard work, a community-designed glass mosaic now permanently hangs in the Waterville Branch Library.  

Members of the Waterville community gathered on Saturday morning at the Waterville Branch of the Toledo-Lucas County Public Library to "Meet the Mosaic." The anxious crowd cheered and applauded as the shroud was removed, unveiling the 13' x 6' mosaic to the public for the first time.

"It feels awesome!" said Gail Christofferson, Lead Artist on the project. Christofferson continued, "The best part is that the community will get to enjoy it for years to come and they got to take part, so they have ownership in it."

Recent Ohio University graduate Alison Quinn illustrated the design last spring, capturing the theme, "The Love of Reading for all Ages."

"I really wanted to portray what any ages, sort of 5 through 105, would have," said Quinn. Like a book, the mosaic depicts scenes of adventure, sci-fi, fantasy, and even country. Quinn added, "You open a book, you open an adventure."

Decorating on each of the seven panels began in September, taking nearly five months to complete the project. Community members began adding the donated glass beads to the mosaic during several sessions held at the Something Special Learning Center, the Browning Masonic Community, and the Silver Lining Gallery.

The project is sponsored by the Waterville Area Arts Council, with funding from the Legacy Foundation.