LJ/SFPL Design Institute West: More Green

Francine Fialkoff -- Library Journal, 5/13/2008

Library Journal’s Design Institute West, May 9, drew on the expertise of architects and librarians for both the nuts and bolts of sustainable buildings and the roles libraries can play in the war on climate change. The event was held at the San Francisco Public Library (pictured at right, with SFPL's Jill Bourne, center, and Brian Bannon), which cosponsored the program along with the California State Library. State Librarian Susan Hildreth served  as moderator of  the first panel.

“We want libraries to be the hub,” said Luis Herrera, SF City Librarian. And Jared Blumenfeld, SF Department of the Environment, called libraries “a one-stop green shop. They’re close to the community, [they] are the solution to any question you can ask.”

In a tour of three renovated SFPL branches, two panels, and half a dozen breakout sessions, librarians got answers to myriad questions. “There’s an answer for every building,” said panelist Stephanie Kingsnorth, Pfeiffer Partners Architects. “They’re not the same.” There’s an answer for every area of the country, too. In San Francisco, only one branch needs air conditioning, for instance, but all need to be retrofitted for earthquakes.

On the education front, panelist Toni Garvey, Phoenix City Librarian, pushed for a sustainability curriculum. “Kids will be the catalysts for change, teens especially,” she said. “Bring them in and work on a curriculum with them.” Garvey also pointed out that “Libraries are the ultimate green experience. We buy something and thousands of people use it.”

Six problems, six designs
The six breakout sessions focused on a different design problem submitted in advance by attendees and led by sponsoring architects. Each brought unique perspectives and solutions, which were presented in the closing session. Among the libraries included were:

·        Azusa City Library, CA, which worked with Group 4 Architecture and a dozen attendees on ideas for its conjoined library/senior center.

·        Contra Costa County Library, CA, and EHDD Architects collaborated on its transition from the county central library to a community library.

·        Curtis School Library, CA, an independent school near L.A., and PSA-Dewberry, tackled a potential expansion.

·        Fullerton PL, CA, and BSA Architects grappled with infusing light and “curb appeal” into a planned expansion.

·        Teton County Library, WY, and Humphries Poli Architects came up with ideas for a new branch in Alta that will be the county’s first LEED building.

·        And University of California-Berkeley, Moffitt Library, and Pfeiffer Partners Architects took on transforming terraces into actual learning spaces.

In addition to networking with architects, attendees also had a chance to see green products from several vendor sponsors, among them 3M, Agati Furniture, DEMCO Library Interiors, David Edward, and LucaLight.
Look for resources and the event program here.