Library Buildings 2008: Keeping the ''ECO'' in Economy

The latest calamities to befall our economy aren't reflected in the 2008 compilation of building projects. These 183 public libraries and 30 academic facilities, completed between July 1, 2007, and June 30, 2008, squeaked through before the repercussions from the current financial debacles. Yet we certainly can't ignore the money side of things. Funding is at the heart of libraries and their future. The root of economy means “to manage.” The root of eco means “environment.” Managing our library environment this past year showed distinct signs of going green and saving green as design ramped up sustainability elements.

Though cost-consciousness is always a focus in libraries, some projects still went big, like the new Lewis Library and Technology Center, Fontana, CA ($64 million), the Champaign Public Library, IL ($28.3 million), and LJ's 2008 Library of the Year, Laramie County Library, WY ($25.4 million). Among the larger addition/renovation projects are the Hartford Public Library, CT ($42 million), and the Medina Library, OH ($20 million). Managing costs also provides opportunities for some creative mixed-use space, as a branch of the Omaha Public Library combines with a community college, for example, and the East Anaheim Branch, CA, joins forces with a police station and a community center.

LJ asked the respondents to this year's architecture survey to include “sustainable” features that made an impact on their designs. And what could be a better green project than to repurpose and reuse an existing structure? The largest project in our 2008 list of academic libraries is the Harrington Learning Commons, Sobrato Technology Center and Orradre Library at Santa Clara University, CA, which totaled a mind-blowing $92 million and 194,000 square feet. This sustainable project includes reused clay roof tiles, double-height clerestory windows, dimmable lighting zones, reclaimed water, and reflective white “cool-roofs.” The Gentry Public Library, AR, remodel converted a turn-of-the-century hardware store, while the Bond Hill Branch of the Public Library of Cincinnati & Hamilton County took over a department store and the Cutchogue-New Suffolk Free Library, NY, transformed an 1862 church.

Remodels of historic libraries were able to resurrect and restore original woodwork and classic building features. For example, the Stephenson Public Library, Marinette, WI, renovated a 1902 facility and reclaimed its rotunda and stained glass skylights while uncovering several fireplaces. Also, a number of early 20th-century Carnegies have been revived for the 21st century. Salvaged windows and furniture, high-performance lighting, proximity to public transportation, high R-value insulation, formaldehyde-free composite wood, xeriscaping, cork and bamboo flooring, and solar panels have contributed to the environmentally friendly and economically sound projects we are highlighting this year. The Looscan Neighborhood Library, Houston, TX, was one of several libraries that combined these features to achieve Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

In addition to the accomplishments in library design and construction made this year, this author has achieved a personal feat, her 30th Architectural Issue (see LJ 12/1/79). Have three decades of number-crunching provided unique insights into library architecture? Designs may change, fads may come and go, but, ultimately, libraries are the strength behind their communities. Whether lushly verdant or a little bit weedy, they will sustain our society for years to come.