Library Journal is proud to presentits inaugural list of New Landmark Libraries. These ten public libraries, plus ten Honorable Mentions, will inspire and inform any building project.
At LJ, after years of covering new library construction and renovations and exploring innovations in design, we realized that librarians could use a master list of the best libraries to study, in person or virtually, for models and insight into coming trends. There are, of course, the libraries that anyone diving into library design will discover right away—reinventions in Seattle and Minneapolis by Rem Koolhaas and Cesar Pelli, respectively; smaller, highly touted projects such as Darien Library, CT, and so many more; and traditional motherships such as New York Public Library’s main. LJ wanted to help librarians discover relatively unknown gems that raise the bar as they respond to trends in green design and shifts in service models. These would be the New Landmark Libraries.
To find them, project coordinator Louise Schaper, retired executive director of Fayetteville Public Library, AR, now with her own consulting practice, pulled together a panel of 16 judges—most librarians, a few architects—to develop criteria and select the first group of New Landmark Libraries, focusing on public libraries opened in the last six years. (LJ plans to name academic New Landmark Libraries next year.)
From a national pool of nominations, the judges chose ten New Landmark Libraries and ten Honorable Mentions. That puts 20 libraries across the country on an itinerary for a virtual or real trek that will fill your notebook with great ideas to adapt as you plan your library of the future.
Enjoy, and tell us what you think! And, join Schaper in a free webcast, "Tour of Four of the New Landmark Libraries," on June 8; www.libraryjournal.com/tourlandmarks.
Reader Comments (8)
Some other beautful new libraries:
Evansville (Indiana) Public Library
Vancouver (British Columbia) Public Library
Orlando (Florida) Public Library
Posted by Wilburn Newcomb on May 12, 2011 07:38:44PM
Of course I am a wee bit biased but!Drayton Valley Municipal Library & our Rotary Branch sport some amazing artwork by "Trevor"...Oversized books hang from our ceiling & we have the most amazing mural!Not to mention our new WOW outreach program! For a Lil Big Town(my choice of words)we are amazingly progressive and supported by our community.
Visit our website www.draytonvalleylibrary.ca or send us a tweet @dvlibrary. Visit us or call and speak to Sandy Faunt,Librarian or, Colleen Schoelinger, Program Coordinator.
Posted by Leah Sanderson(Circulation Clerk) on May 12, 2011 06:12:54PM
I have to put a plug in for the Farmington Public Library in New Mexico. They've been on the cutting edge of changing service models before service models were even a buzz word. Director Karen McPheeters has put together a library that is so oriented towards customer service it seems as if she reads the minds of her patrons and provides them what they want almost before they walk in the door.
Paul Paladino, Director
Montrose Regional Library District
Home of the Naturita Community Library, Best Small Library in America
Posted by Paul Paladino on May 13, 2011 11:16:37AM
The Anacostia Library (from the '10 More That Will Inspire') is absolutely a beautiful branch. It isn't massive, like so many of it's 'Top' counterparts, but it is well-designed, functional, and very easy on the eyes. It is also in a very poor/unsafe/hardened area of DC, so hopefully the staff can make an impact.
Posted by April on May 18, 2011 07:10:15AM
Being from Arizona and a librarian, I am pleased to see so many innovative libraries in the state.
Posted by Shelby on May 18, 2011 10:20:32AM
I can only come up with one word for these libraries: sterile. Have we all been brainwashed by architects???
Posted by leslie on May 27, 2011 04:28:04PM
трезвые грузчики, <a href="http://www.artal-transport.com.ua">переезд</a> по Киеву и Украине
Posted by FEDOTOVTaras31 on December 24, 2011 10:57:29PM
