Public Library Architecture - Seattle Public Library

Public Library Architecture Seattle Public Library

The Seattle Public Library, Central Branch, opened its doors on Sunday, May 23, 2004. It is located in the downtown core of the city and houses the main library’s collection of books, government publications, periodicals, and audio visual materials.






The building is 362,987 square feet, 11 stories and is comprised mostly of concrete, glass and steel. It was constructed with sustainable systems taking into consideration its energy and environmental impact. The total cost of the building was around $156 million dollars.

 

Interesting Facts: The building contains 18,400 cubic yards or 2,050 tons of concrete; 4,644 tons of steel; and enough glass to cover 5 ½ football fields.

The main architects for the project were Rem Koolhaas and Joshua Prince-Ramus. Their philosophy was to allow the required functions of the building to dictate the design rather than impose a structure requiring the functions to conform to it.

For example, one major feature is the “Dewey Ramp” which houses the library’s non-fiction collection. The collection spirals up four stories on a continuous series of shelves, keeping together the Dewey Decimal Classification system and allowing the patron to browse the collection without interruption.



Other areas of the library include the Microsoft Auditorium and the Starbucks Teen Center. Both of these companies were founded in Seattle. The Microsoft Auditorium can seat 250 to 425 people and features dove gray wood paneling, and polyurethane foam seats with springs. The Starbuck Teen Center has an orange polyurethane floor selected to offer punch, excitement and sophistication to reflect the age of those using it.

To help patrons navigate the building, elevators and escalators are a bright fluorescent green-yellow colour. Bright colours similar to those used for traffic cones and reflecting stripes on streets are used to direct patrons to the various levels of the library.




Still more rooms… The library houses a children’s center, 400 computers plus wireless connection, meeting rooms, language learning center, “living room” with coffee and gift shop, reading room and mixing chamber (reference area). Underground parking is available.

Reviews of the library’s architecture have been mixed, but since its opening usage of the library has more than doubled the predicted volume plus it has generated millions in new economic activity within its neighbourhood.

The Seattle Central Library is just one example of the recent trend in public library design. The use of modern architecture creates a public space that serves the library needs but also creates an inviting place for its patrons. A win-win situation for all.

References

Arcspace.com. (n.d.). Rem Koolhass OMA Seattle Public Library. Retrieved from
http://www.arcspace.com/architects/koolhaas/Seattle/

Wikipedia. (February 1, 2010). Seattle Central Library. Retrieved from
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seattle_Central_Library

Seattle Public Library. (n.d.). Library Locations Central Library. Retrieved from
http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=branch_central&branchID=1

First Impressions - Crouch Public Library

Background

The Crouch Branch Library is part of the London Public Library system.  It serves the communities of Hamilton and Crumlin and was opened in 1922. It underwent a rebuild in 2002 which is its current structure.  The library is named after Richard Edwin Crouch who was a former Chief Librarian of the London Public Library.

Services and Programs


Some of the library's services and programs include an Employment Resource Centre, preschool storytime, adult book clubs, Books for Every Child, art Wednesdays, computer courses, a knitting group and English conversation circles.  The library web site lists over 27 programs for the month of January alone!

The library has a number of community partnerships including Service Canada, London East Mental Health Services, Hamilton Road Community Association, Hutton House, Thames Valley Early Learning Program (TVNELP), Ontario Early Years Centre (OEYC)-London Fanshaw, Literacy London, Thames Secondary School and a number of elemetary schools in the area.

First Impressions


When you enter the library you immediately notice the bright signs that direct you to the various sections of the library as well as to the community groups who share space in the building.


My first vist to the library was on a Tuesday evening. My intial impression was that the library was a busy spot. There were a number of people using the library, in particular youth, mostly males, who were either reading, doing homework, using computers or talking in groups. Because of all the activity, there was a low level of noise, which appeared to be quite acceptable.
 
Physical Layout


The library covers 11,000 sqauare feet which includes the library space and public meeting space that is available for rent.The service desk is easy to view from the main door. As you walk through the library you pass the Emplyment Resource section which has a job board and computers. Towards the back of the libray is the children's section which has toys, books, and age approriate seating. 

In terms of physical accessibility, the library is on one level, has wide doorways and appears to be wheelchair accessible. There is plenty of lighting. Since this was a night visit I was unable to tell how much natural light the library gets but based on the number of windows, I am assuming it gets great light during the day. There is free parking available at the back of the building and the library is located on several major bus routes.

Opposite the children's section is a seating area in front of the windows, which has comfy chairs.  Additional seating is distributed throughout the library and includes tables and chairs and twenty or more computer work stations, including one in the children's section that has a colourful keyboard and is on child sized furniture.

The overall impression of this library is that it is more than just a place to find books. It appears to be very community oriented based on the fact it shares its space with several other community groups. The atmosphere is a social one, with patrons talking with library staff and each other. The young patrons were familar with the library staff and called them by name. Even though the library does not have a large amount of physical space and is on one level, it appears that planning went into how to best use the space. As a first time visitor to the library, it felt very welcoming, just how I like my public libraries!  It is will be interesting to see if my fist impressions are accurate ones as I learn more about this library.