Reading Girl: Joy Hughes was commissioned by the Beach Gardeners of Melbourne Beach Women's Club to provide a bronze sculpture for the Melbourne Beach Public Library. The photographs depict the artist's interpretation of their theme, "Books Come Alive". A 9" clay maquette was prepared by the artist for approval by the Women's Club and then the 24" sculpture for completed in approximately two months. The sculpture was dedicated at the Grand Opening of the new public library on October 6, 2002.