Main Library Renewal Coming!
July 11, 2008About two weeks ago, we kicked off a Planning & Programming Study of our Main Library. You are invited to a community meeting:
Come for a presentation by the architects we’ve hired to conduct this study and to give us your suggestions and ideas for what you want in this renovation and possible expansion project. Our lead architect is Chris Brasier of SmithGroup, with offices at American Tobacco in downtown Durham; architect Bill Ash also works with Chris as part of SmithGroup. They have teamed with two library architects: Ed Lazaron of Design Collaborative, Virginia Beach and Jeffrey Scherer of Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle of Minneapolis.
The study is in two parts:
(1) Building Evaluation: SmithGroup has mechanical & structural engineers and others evaluating the existing building. We know it has “good bones,” and we want to learn all about “the good, the bad, and the ugly” of our Main Library.
(2) Programming Plan: We want to figure out all the things we want in a new library. For example, we know we need magic and wonderful spaces for our children’s areas. We know we need magic in a new “Teen Zone,” too. How many computers will we need? The 50 or so we have now are in almost constant use. Do we need 100, 150, 200? Does our auditorium need to accommodate lots more people? How many quiet study rooms, conference rooms, tutoring rooms, etc. do we need? Should we have a Friends of the Library retail store? A cafe? A greatly expanded local history area to accommodate the ever-growing resources in the bursting-at-the-seams Benjamin Powell Memorial North Carolina Room? Oh, there are so many things we’ve been hearing from so many of you!
We’re reaching out to you here and now to invite your hopes and dreams for this library at the heart of our city and county. Please come Tuesday, July 29 at 5:30pm!!!
