New Library Opens in Darien, CT; First LEED Gold Library Building in Region

Rebecca Miller -- Library Journal, 1/12/2009

• LEED Gold building is twice the size but uses the same amount of energy
• Service model reimagined to emphasize user experience
• RFID and other technology integrated throughout

The much-anticipated new Darien Library, CT, opened to some 7200 patrons on January 10, claiming its place as the first LEED Gold library building in New England. Beyond LEED, the emphasis is on service to patrons. “We want to hover between experience and transformation,” said John Blyberg, assistant director of innovation and user experience (and a 2006 LJ Mover & Shaker). Indeed, Darien has established a user experience (aka UX) department, as hinted by Blyberg’s title.

(Photo above by Barbara Thomas. Photo below by Janet Davis.)

The 54,000 square foot, three-story building, designed by Peter Gisolfi Associates with elements of New England charm, is double the size of its predecessor but is designed to use same amount of energy. The “Main Street” entrance area on the ground floor (below) allows patrons to find their holds, return and check out materials on their own, browse new fiction, or just hang out in the café. Green features include geothermal heating and cooling, a bioswale and underground storage to manage storm-water runoff, dual-flush toilets, CO2 sensors to help automate airflow in spaces, daylighting, and more, including educational signage for patrons.

New  technology, new design
RFID for self-check and materials handling is just a tip of the technology infused throughout the building. There are also 21 wireless access points, large LCD flat displays for community information, a ten-foot rear-projection screen for the community room, and a touch-screen tabletop Microsoft Surface computer for the children’s room on the main floor. A “Power Library” in the basement is filled with public access computers and includes a room dedicated to office needs. The teen room nestles right next to the Power Library, in a serious effort, according to Blyberg, to “couple teens with technology.” 

On the third floor, reference desks give way to a hybrid service model. Roving staffers are equipped with mini-laptops but can land as needed at small reference "touchdown spaces" for collaborative, side-by-side searching with patrons. Dewey itself has also been tweaked. A “mashed up” nonfiction collection is grouped into larger more readily browsable categories. The children’s collection is organized by progressive reading level to better drive and inspire developing readers. Within the children's section, the toddler set has a room dedicated to it, complete with a heated cork floor.

Local fundraising
The project cost $27 million, with $3 million from the sale of the previous building and the rest from local fundraising under the leadership of Director Louise Berry (the spouse of LJ Editor-at-Large John Berry).

The level of enthusiasm patrons expressed at the opening was typified by one 14-year-old who said, “This is the first cool thing this town has ever done.”