Librarians' Picks
Librarians who have recently completed building projects are all aglow about their lighting solutions and illuminate that necessary component of design
Compiled by Bette-Lee Fox -- Library Journal, 05/15/2010
Azle Memorial Library, TX
Sturdy and attractive, the South Bay fixture is table-mounted for additional support. It comes with power outlets and data ports, making it "ideal for laptop users." Each lamp has its own power switch, so it can be turned on as needed, "saving electricity." The light is bright enough for study but "soft enough not to disturb others nearby." Visa Lighting, www.visalighting.com
North Natomas Library, Sacramento, CA
This new branch of the Sacramento Public Library takes its Kids' Place seriously with "whimsical, colorful, and functional" Functional Art track lighting "that delights kids and adults alike." Just don't get too close—they do get hot! TechLighting, www.techlighting.com
African American Library at the Gregory School, Houston, TX
This newest of three special collections operated by the Houston Public Library will serve as a resource to "preserve, promote, and celebrate the rich history and culture of African Americans." The Heritage pendant lights were chosen "for their historical appearance." They offer "ambient lighting with low voltage and high efficacy." Baselite, www.baselite.com
Gilford Public Library, NH
Traditional style meets comfortable feel through Scion overhead fixtures. "We were looking for energy-efficient lighting that would fit with the traditional look of our building. We are very happy" with the result. Litecontrol, www.litecontrol.com
Northwest Library, Columbus, OH
This cooperative project of the Worthington Libraries and the Columbus Metropolitan Library employs the LX-Series Starliter for its "style, functionality, and energy efficiency." The fixture uses compact fluorescent lamps, "which realize an average 25–40 percent energy savings." Sportlite, Inc., www.sportlite.com
Bracewell Neighborhood Library, Houston, TX
With Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Silver certification in mind, the Bracewell library went for fixtures that met sustainability goals and "contributed to the vernacular style of the library as a whole." The K-Bye-Bye cable suspended head (TechLighting, www.techlighting.com), the Cirque (Neo-Ray, www.neoray-lighting.com), Ametrix flood (Cooper Lighting, www.cooperlighting.com), and 16" Pendalyte (Lightolier, www.lightolier.com) fit the bill—and look great, too.
Queen Creek Public Library, AZ
The new Queen Creek library incorporated the Wovin Wall translucent grid system over a light box to achieve these fascinating fixtures that "add a lot of punch and sculpture" to the teen space. 3form, www.3-form.com
Old Worthington Library, OH
Hanging outside the library's Bookingham Forest are Centre Series P9020-36 pendants. "The fixture illuminates the ceiling and reflects light evenly throughout the space." Its compact fluorescent lamps last "an average of 6000–15,000 hours." Camman Industries, Inc., www.cammanindustries.com
Hoover Public Library, AL
The remodel of the Hoover Public Library incorporated a variety of lighting fixtures, but staff "especially like the look" of the Rondo 1 pendant lights. They fill the "open, lofty spaces, and their cable support system has a functional look that blends well with the overall architecture." Energie, www.energielighting.com
The job of coordinating the lighting schemes fell to the iLumin lighting control system, "providing the capability to program standard settings and the flexibility to set special effects for special events." Cooper Controls, www.coopercontrol.com
Oldham County Public Library, LaGrange, KY
The new Oldham County library incorporated numerous lighting solutions, including Saratoga Interior Pendants, to create "layers of light" in its goal toward LEED Gold certification. And it paid off. The library received an Award of Merit in the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America's 2009 Illumination Awards. Advent by SPI Lighting, www.spilighting.com
Guilford Free Library, CT
The library's new addition, "where the décor is a little more modern," features these double Nessen Table Lamps, with satin nickel finish and beige linen shades. The customized lamps come with a bolt-down base for security and options for power/data ports. "We love the look—simple, classic, timeless." Tucker Library Interiors, www.tuckerlibraryinteriors.com
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