Library Buildings around the World

The new 10,000 square foot combined library and community center serves the Broadmoor community by providing residents with
an innovative 21st century library, community center, gathering space, and valuable educational resource. A visually open
connection is maintained between the Historic House and Library Addition in order to create spatial relief as the two buildings
touch. This “spine” allows for a clear line of sight to the playground across Broad Street and provides a clear entry sequence into the
library. The new addition primarily houses book shelving, computer stations, and other core elements of the library function, while
the historic house operates primarily as the community meeting center and home to a small café. (Eskew)
EYP – Einhorn Yaffee Prescott Architecture & Engineering P.C., Albany,NY - USA
http://www.eypaedesign.com
Libraries:
Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library, Cambridge, MA – USA 2004
320,000 sqf. , Owner: Harvard University www.harvard.edu, $ 92.000.000
The Harry Elkins Widener Memorial Library, designed by Horace Trumbauer and constructed in 1915, is located at the
geographical and intellectual heart of Harvard University. In renewing the building for the 21st century, the school sought a
restoration that would redefine the library in programmatic and technical terms, without losing the structure’s aura, comfort, and
connection to tradition. The renovation involved 27 construction stages stretched over six years. Phases were planned and timed to
ensure the continuous operation of the library and maintain the availability of its collections. The early rehabilitation phases
upgraded and modernized the building systems infrastructure, the 10-floor self-supporting stack structure, and various library
support spaces. This work included updating climate control and life safety systems as well as improving public access. The
architects also created new "found" space within two large light wells at the center of the building that house new mechanical space,
staff work areas, and two new skylit reading rooms. These reading rooms symbolize a subtle proclamation of Widener's continued
relevance at the core of Harvard's present and future intellectual life. Later construction phases involved restoring the historic
public and reading spaces. Wherever possible, the team preserved existing features and room finishes while infusing the building
with information technology and comfort standards necessary to meet the library's 21st century requirements. Where interventions
were necessary, the architect designed them in a manner that creates a subtle dialogue with the 1915 structure: enhancing the
character of the original building but expressing their own distinctiveness and design integrity as contemporary work. (EYP)
“It has been a fascinating five years,” said William C. Kirby, dean of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences, in brief remarks at the
ceremony. “Those who study and work in this University have witnessed extraordinary feats of construction and reconstruction. We
have marveled at the trucks and trusses and certainly that enormous crane lifting glass and steel to rather nerve-racking heights.
Not to mention the daily symphony of hammering, drilling, pounding, sawing, and ringing.”
The first phase of the project brought modern heating, ventilation, air-conditioning, humidity-control, electrical, lighting, firedetection-and-suppression,
and security systems to the 10 floors of stacks. Staff moved, cleaned, and reshelved all 3.5 million books.
Workers from contractors Lee Kennedy built a staff workspace and two new reading rooms, to the design of architects Einhorn
Yaffe Prescott, in what had been the two interior lightcourts of the library. In phase two of the project, attention shifted to the front
half of the building. The great reading room regained its original size, splendor, and serenity, while noisy, interactive library services
moved to refurbished or newly constructed spaces.
Workers lifted 191 tons of steel into lightcourts; removed 92 tons of demolition debris from the nether regions of D-Level and 150
tons of ductwork and cast-iron debris from the attic; installed 55 miles of electrical cable, 15 miles of fire-alarm cable, 18 miles of
electrical conduit, and 11 miles of “tel/data” cable; placed 5 miles of sprinkler piping, with 5,000 sprinkler heads; applied 2,000
gallons of paint; replaced 4,000 light fixtures and 1,000 switches in the stacks; cleaned, refinished, and sealed 120,000 square feet of
marble flooring; and much more.
"I also want to offer my deepest gratitude," said Kirby, "to Widener’s librarians and staff, who never flinched from their
commitment to keeping this library fully operational through-out the renovation. They called it — ‘orchestrated chaos.’ I call it
courage.
"That’s not, however, unusual for this library or for this University," Kirby continued. "In the midst of an era of grave international
uncertainty, Harvard persevered in its quest to advance human knowledge by building Widener Library. As they did in 1915, we
gather on these steps during challenging times and once again we dedicate this place — we dedicate ourselves — to the proposition
that learning is the only path to enlightenment and that from enlightenment springs permanent improvement in the human
condition."
Larsen librarian of Harvard College Nancy M. Cline and President Lawrence H. Summers also spoke. A throng of modest size
viewed the proceedings, to which the library invited all members of the Harvard community; at their conclusion, cookies and cider
were dispensed in a tent in Tercentenary Theatre. Later, library benefactors attended seminars on teaching with Widener’s global
collections. In the evening, they gathered with senior administrators for a formal dinner in the Loker Reading Room.
This signal moment in the life of the library will be marked in November by publication of Widener: Biography of a Library, by
Matthew Battles, coordinating editor of the Harvard Library Bulletin (distributed by Harvard University Press, $50). A lively and
wide-ranging narrative, it is an estimable addition to the shelves. (http://harvardmagazine.com/2004/11/widener-reborn.html)
Susan Morse and Frderick Whiley Hilles Library, Radcliff College (Harvard) - Cambridge, Mass – USA
1996 - 1997
(vorm. Widener Library : Harrison &Abramovitz)
Literature:
Two Libraries. Designed by Harrison & Abramovitz, in: Architectural Record, 1967, May, pp. 151.158
FFKR Architects, SaltLake City, Utah – USA
http://www.ffkr.com
Libraries:
Harold B. Lee Library Addition and Remodel, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT – USA 2000
This is a three story underground addition to the main campus library. Landscaping and walkways cover most of the addition and,
as a result, the major quadrangle of the campus has been returned to its preconstruction character. The new building is zoned as
follows: First level below grade contains classrooms, stacks, and study areas. The second level below grade houses new stack and
study spaces, a 200 seat auditorium, a new special collections area with exhibit, work, and archival storage areas. The third level
below grade contains mechanical and electrical equipment. The on grade changes include a new entry that links the existing library
building to the new underground addition. /FFKR)
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