Library Buildings around the World

new library preserves the tradition of the library as a community center and gathering place but provides the idea of service that
would be experience by all users. (Hidell)
Rio Rancho Public Library, NM – USA 2006
Statistics: 32,000 SF Library, Construction Complete November 2006
Awards:
Grand Winner 2007 Best Building, Energy Consious Design/Construction
Alsoa winner in Municipal and Utilities
2007 AIA Citation Award
LEED Silver Certification
Situated in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains just outside of Albuquerque, New Mexico this 32,000 square foot library is the
centerpiece of this growing community. The building configuration and internal layout was oriented to capture the sweeping vistas it
surrounds, while nestling into a flat level of a very undulating site. The overall building footprint emulates the site contours, enabling
the building to "fit", while minimizing unnecessary site grading. The large overhangs provide sun shading throughout the summer,
and allow natural light in the winter. Both interior and exterior materials have been chosen for their eco-friendly qualities.
This state-of-the-art library features the latest in technology and library design. Each visitor's experience begins through a gallery
space modeled after a pedestrian mall, quaint in look and friendly in scale. The gallery space leads the patron to a main reading area
with collections and programming areas (dedicated storytime and craft room, quiet reading room and study areas). A wireless
system enhances the flexibility of each space and provides a user friendly experience. (Hidell)
Farmington Public Library, Farmington, NM – USA 2003
Statistics: •52,013 SF New Library Facility, •Construction Complete February 2003
Awards:
2004 Best Building Winner - Interiors (New Mexico Building Branch, AGC and NM Business Journal)
2004 Best Building Winner - Lighting (New Mexico Building Branch, AGC and NM Business Journal)
This 52,013 SF "State of the art" library facility speaks volumes to the diverse culture of its community. The Library, located 80
miles from the Navaho Nation, gets its direction from elements found in the culture and architecture of the people it serves. The
counterclockwise layout and "kiva like" rotunda bring a spiritual meaning to this community building. Working seamlessly within
the dynamic layout of this complex are both indoor and outdoor programming spaces, allowing a broad flexibility of programs in
this mild climate. Located within this exciting structure are many flexible spaces with state-of-the-art technology. Computers are
located throughout as well as flat-screen monitors, which inform the patron of upcoming programs, local news, and entertainment.
The library philosophy is one of customer service, which the layout and technology of this building enables through its self check
stations, various multi-media rooms, and immense computer access, as well as, its built-in flexibility to allow change throughout the
years to come. Farmington Public Library is a building for the Library of the 21st Century. (Hidell)
Hillier Architecture, New York – USA
operating under the RMJM name since 2008
http://rmjmhillier.com
Libraries:
Enoch Pratt Library, Baltimore MD – USA 2007
University of Louisville, Ekstrom Library Expansion, Louisville KY – 2006
Newark Public Library Newark NJ – USA 2005
Princeton Public Library, Princeton – USA 2004
Ocean County Public Library, Toms River NJ – USA 2003
22,000 sf addition, 32,000 sf renovation
The building forms a gateway to the southern campus core and serves as a new pedestrian portal and information center. Services
relative to the landscape
included landscape and hardscape design & documentation around the immediate building. (http://www.sternassociates.com)
Harry Bennett Branch Library, Stamford CT – USA 2000
by Alice Knapp
The dramatic, new Harry Bennett Branch Library has been a resounding success with the Stamford community. Opened in January
2000, and sharing the campus of a public middle school, the 24,000 square foot facility replaces the very tired Turn of River Branch,
which had been operating in a cramped former church since the late 1960's. Project costs exceeded $4.4 million, of which $3.5
million was provided by the City of Stamford and $350,000 by a state library construction grant. The library is named for long-time
branch supporter and benefactor, Stamford realtor Harry Bennett. It was Mr. Bennett who, in the mid 1960's, was instrumental in
getting the original Turn of River Branch built. Over the years he has been a tireless friend to the Ferguson Library. The new
library has a soaring interior with skylights that flood the space with light. The result is a spectacular, modern building that is a
delight just to enter. The floor plan is open; ramps and stairs link different sections of the library. A 120-seat auditorium, a meeting
room, and a children's program area are included in the facility. State-of-the-art when it comes to technology, the library is
equipped with 43 computers-28 for public use, 15 for staff. Public computers provide catalog services, electronic databases, Internet
access, and word processing; several are dedicated to pre-school multi-media use. The branch has the capacity to add up to a dozen
more workstations for the public, as well as laptop Internet access. "The Harry Bennett Branch incorporates the latest advances in
information technology," says library president Ernest A. DiMattia, Jr. "We are also no longer limited by lack of space, so our
ability to serve the public has expanded." In fact, as soon as the branch opened, users were clamoring for extended hours. The
former Turn of River Branch had operated on a limited schedule, and the new branch maintained the same hours until additional
city funding in January 2001 made it possible to keep Harry Bennett open longer. Now, the library is open six days a week, four days
until 8 p.m.
Harry Bennett supervisor Susan Baldwin says that with the new hours librarians hope to offer more daytime programs for young
children, as well as additional adult computer training in the evenings. "We expect the library to be even more heavily used now,"
says Ms. Baldwin. The branch averages about 13,000 visitors a month and circulates some 22,000 items per month. In its first six
months of operation, the number of people attending library programs more than doubled attendance at the former Turn of River
Branch. The Harry Bennett Library was designed by architect David Finci of the Hillier Group in New York City and completed by
Frank Mercede and Sons, Inc., general contractors based in Stamford. It is accessible to people with disabilities and has on-site
parking for 75 vehicles. It also garages the Ferguson's Bookmobile and "Purple Bus." ( http://www.ctlibraryassociation.org )
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