Restoring a Classic

Library Journal found the branch for its third makeover on a trip to Washington, DC, on a cold day in winter 2007. We toured several District of Columbia Public Library (DCPL) branches in the company of Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper, a newcomer to DC herself, and visionary architect Henry Myerberg (of the firm HMA2), looking for the perfect (read imperfect) building. When we came to Southeast Branch Library, we knew we had found it: not too big, not too new, not scheduled for renovation. And was it in need! Moreover, Southeast served an intergenerational, strong black, white, and Hispanic community. It was home to Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton as well as new immigrants in need of ESL.

The “before” photos and the story (see p. 6) convey the flavor of what we confronted: a beautiful old structure (1922) in dire need of a “spacelift.” Last renovated in 1982, the Southeast's main floor looked as if it still contained the accumulation of the intervening years. Yet, Myerberg observed, it had good “bones.” He and Cooper agreed they wanted to retain and refurbish what had been built in to the original—the perimeter bookcases, the iconic columns, the fireplace—but to bring in 21st-century design. “The needs people have in their day-to-day lives have changed. The library hasn't,” said Cooper.

The to-do list for the renovation went from a new ceiling and acoustic tiles to all new furnishings. We needed 25 items to be donated, ranging from said acoustic panels and new carpet to linoleum-covered three-quarter-moon tables. Ultimately, architects/designers like Myerberg, vendors like Library Interiors, Inc.'s Bill Devine, and other donors gave some $500,000 in free goods and services; DCPL paid for 24 new computers, new bathrooms, infrastructure upgrades, labor, and more. The local Friends and a Girl Scout troop redid the garden. And the Quills Literacy Foundation (like LJ, part of Reed Business Information) donated cash.

Just as Southeast prepared to close for its makeover on April 30, DC suffered two fires back to back, one at the historic Eastern Market, a block from “our” library, the other at the Georgetown branch. The fire at Georgetown put further pressure on the already stretched library team—and the one at Eastern Market cast a pall over the neighborhood. Along with DC's commitment to restoring the market, the reopening of Southeast in late June gave the neighborhood a much needed reason to celebrate.

The Southeast Branch makeover is only one piece of the renewal of DCPL now taking place. LJ and the vendors, architects, designers, and others who participated are proud to be part of it. For a complete list of who did what, check pages 11 and 14.