Second Community Meeting on the Main Library

Last Thursday evening, SmithGroup architects Chris Brasier and Bill Ash, along with consulting library architects Ed Lazaron and Jeffrey Scherer, presented concepts for ways the Main Library could be renovated.  A good summary of that meeting was posted by Kevin Davis on his blog Bull City Rising.  See http://www.bullcityrising.com/2008/09/library-forum-r.html.

The PowerPoint slide show is now available at http://www.durhamcountylibrary.org/news/pr/2008_0925%20DCL%20Public%20Mtg.pdf.  You’ll see some very interesting visual depictions of ways the Downtown Loop could be reconfigured, and we may learn other ways once a study gets under way by the City of Durham in a few months.  In addition, you’ll see concepts for replacing the two entrances with a single entrance on the Liberty Street side, some great photos of program ideas such as study rooms, casual reading areas, special graphics and creative play areas in the Children’s Library, Teen Zones, etc.  Enjoy!

A final report will be presented to the Board of County Commissioners later this year.

Communication To & From the Community

Members of the Durham community are providing lots of input for County staff, including Library and Engineering staff, and our architect consultants.  Thank you!

Our architects will share the information they have gathered at the forum this Thursday – 5:00-6:30pm, Main Library Auditorium. Chris Brasier of SmithGroup, Inc. describes the process as one of listening and refining. The architects heard what staff and the public had to say about what we would like to see in the new Main Library. They have taken that information and have begun to put together the building blocks of the program plan. On Thursday they will present what they’ve learned and will take additional feedback in order to further refine the plan.

The architects have not given us materials in advance of Thursday’s forum, however the slideshow will be available online at some point after the meeting. The slideshow from the first forum is on our website at http://www.durhamcountylibrary.org/news/pr/2008_07_29%20DCPL%20Public%20Meeting_sm.pdf.

See you soon!

One More Community Meeting @ Main Library

Join us Thursday, Sept. 25 from 5:00 to 6:30pm at the Main Library auditorium to hear what our architects have learned from you and from their study of the Main Library.  It’s another chance to give your suggestions and ideas for what you want in the renovation.  See you in a few weeks!