In Ohio, Toledo Lucas County Public Library’s new Mott branch, named for social activist Anna C. Mott, is topped by a dynamic roof inspired by geometries used in Underground Railroad quilts. The overhang is calibrated to shade high summer light but let in low winter light. CREDITS: Bostwick Design Partnership; Buehrer Group Architecture and Engineering, Inc., architects; Scott Pease, photo.

The children’s area at the Thornhill Branch, St. Louis County Library, MO, features reading nooks and playful passages to make the space itself echo the experiences of comfort, discovery, and reflection that reading represents. CREDITS: Bond Architects; Mackey Mitchell Architects, architects; Alise O’Brien Photography, photo.

Kids can keep moving at the Michigan Road Branch of the Indianapolis Public Library, IN, which integrates toddler-height pass-throughs right into its shelving so active play actively connects to the collection. CREDITS: krM Architecture, architect; Daniel Showalter Photography, photo.

This library drive through in the parking garage adjacent to the main building of Lenexa City Center Library, KS, allows patrons to pick up holds without being exposed to weather and drop off book returns right into the automated conveyance system. CREDITS: Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture, architect; Michael Robinson Photography LLC, photo.