Library Buildings around the World

The Tenley-Friendship Library has space devoted to children’s services, including online access, a large collection of print and nonprint
resources (CD books, DVDs, mixed-media kits, etc.) for children from birth to age twelve. Children’s librarians provide
regular story programs in which they model early literacy behaviors and reader’s advisory services to children and their caregivers
to encourage reading and early literacy. Tenley Library is a welcoming civic building that provides a variety of spaces to meet a wide
range of community needs. Spaces include a large public meeting room (for approximately 100 people), two smaller meeting rooms,
a children’s program room, as well as smaller rooms for group study and for tutoring. Stack areas for print and non-print materials
are available for users of all ages. Multiple points of access to virtual spaces through the public PCs and wireless access for people
with their own electronic devises are provided. The children’s area has spaces (including collection and seating) dedicated to various
age groups (five and under, beginning readers and elementary age). There is a distinctive area for Young Adults to meet and to
learn. Adults have their own reading areas, online access area and a large collection of materials. A diverse, robust collection and
online resources are available to users of all ages. A variety of spaces are accessible to individuals and groups to use, including study
tables and chairs, lounge seating, group study and tutor rooms, and three public meeting rooms to accommodate groups of different
sizes. (Freelon)
Anacostia Library, Washington, DC – USA 2010
Project Size: 22,348 sqf. Project Cost: $ 10.300.000
Awards:
2011 AIA Triangle Honor Award
2010 AIA NC COTE (Committee on the Environment) Award (State)
2009 AIA NC Merit Award, Unbuilt (State)
2008 AIA Triangle Merit Award, Unbuilt (Local)
The Anacostia Library creates a civic building of which area residents can be proud. A variety of spaces to meet a wide range of
community needs are in the new facility. Spaces include a large public meeting room (for approximately 100 people), two smaller
meeting rooms, a children’s program room, as well as smaller rooms for group study and for tutoring. There are shelving areas for
print and non-print materials for all ages. Multiple points of access to virtual spaces through the public PCs and wireless access are
included. The children’s area has areas (including collection and seating) dedicated to various age groups (five and under, beginning
readers and elementary age). There is a distinctive area for young adults to meet and to learn. Adults have their own reading areas,
online access area and a large collection of materials. The Anacostia Library has a larger share of the library space devoted to
children’s services than in other branches, because its service area has more children than in other DC neighborhoods—both in
numbers and as a percentage of the population. In addition to online access for children, there is a large collection of print and nonprint
resources (CD books, DVDs and mixed-media kits) for children from birth to age twelve. Children’s librarians provide regular
story programs in which they model behaviors and reader’s advisory services to children and their caregivers to encourage reading
and early literacy. (Freelon)
South Branch Regional Library, Durham, NC – USA 2010
Project Size: 25.000 sqf. , Project Cost: $ 5.400.000
In May 2004, Durham County purchased the former Lowes Grove Elementary School site located at the intersection of South Alston
Avenue and North Carolina Highway 54 for the development of a new South Regional Library. This facility is one several planned
to support the County’s long-range goal of providing the region with state-of-the-art lifelong learning and literacy resources.
The new facility was originally conceived to be one of three prototype buildings. In order to recognize the former use of the site as
one of significance to the Lowes Grove community, the prototype was modified to better respond to its more retail context. The
library contains approximately 25,000 Sq. Ft. with provisions for a future addition of 10,000 Sq. Ft. It includes major spaces such as
a large meeting room, administrative areas, adult collection, young adult collection, children’s collection, various reading and study
spaces, computer areas, reference area, and periodicals. The one-story structure is organized in a series of layers defined by heavy
masonry walls and volumes. The front façade features a taller glass volume defining the main entrance and meeting room and
providing an illuminated “lantern” during evening and dusk hours. A significant highlight of the design is the open and airy main
reading space accentuated by a large shed roof that allows for maximum day-lighting and exterior views. Glazed walls at either end
of the reading room provide a continuity of space and vistas into the surrounding landscape. The entire development accomplishes
the goal of sustainable design in public buildings and exemplifies careful stewardship of the land and natural resources. The USGBC
LEED® (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) system sets the benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of
high performance green buildings. The design also incorporates CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design)
principles consistent with the County’s goal of providing safer environments for the public. (Freelon)
South West Branch Regional Library, NC – USA 2010
North Branch Regional Library, Durham, NC – USA 2007
Project Size: 25,000 sqf., Project Cost: $ 4.600.000
The new Durham County Regional Branch Libraries are prototypical designed to support the County’s long-range plan of providing
the region with state-of-the-art lifelong learning and literacy resources. The new 25,000 SF facilities provide major spaces such as a
large meeting room, administrative areas, adult collection, young adult collection, children’s collection, various reading / study
spaces, computer areas, reference area, and periodicals. The North Branch library was designed as a one story structure and is
organized in a series of layers defined by heavy masonry walls / volumes and “saddle bags” constructed of wood siding. The front
façade features a taller glass volume announcing the main entrance and providing an illuminated “lantern” during evening and dusk
hours. A significant highlight of the design is the open and airy main reading space accentuated by a large shed roof that allows for
maximum day-lighting and exterior views. Glazed walls at either end of the reading room provide a continuity of space and vistas
into the surrounding landscape. The entire development accomplishes the goal of sustainable design in public buildings and
exemplifies our commitment to the stewardship of the land and natural resources. The LEED (Leadership in Energy &
Environmental Design) system sets the benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high performance green buildings.
The design also incorporates CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design) principles consistent with the County’s
goal of providing safer environments for the public. (Freelon)
East Branch Regional Library, Durham, NC – USA 2006
Project Size: 25,000 sqf., Project Cost: $ 4,400,000
Awards:
2008 AIA NC Merit Award (State)
2008 ALA/IIDA Design Award (American Library Association and International Interior Design Association)
The new Durham County Regional Branch Libraries are prototypical designed to support the County’s long-range plan of providing
the region with state-of-the-art lifelong learning and literacy resources. The new 25,000 SF facilities provide major spaces such as a
large meeting room, administrative areas, adult collection, young adult collection, children’s collection, various reading / study
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