During the winter of 2026, Library patrons were invited to contribute ideas for a mosaic showcasing 250 years of Lowell. Ideas included specific events, people and places, but the themes that emerged were cultural diversity, immigration, industry, innovation, waterways, and architecture. These ideas were combined into a mosaic design by artist Emily Bhargava, who created an imagined Lowell cityscape that includes a mill building, a canal, the Pollard Memorial Library, and the Aiken Street Bridge, with a background of stylized textile patterns, each representing a wave of immigration to Lowell. From Left to right, the patterns represent Brazil, Ireland, Ghana, Vietnam, Colombia, Greece, Nepal and India, Nigeria, and Cambodia. There is also a fleur de Lis hidden in the foliage to represent French-Canadians. Although Lowell is home to people from many other parts of the world as well, we chose this variety of colors and patterns to represent the rich diversity of the community in graphic form. Library patrons joined foundation members, staff and other community members to tile the design in the spring, and the mosaic was then prepared for display to celebrate the city’s bi-quincentennial anniversary.