Library Buildings around the World

The library’s past location was built in 1903 thanks to a grant from Andrew Carnegie, land donation by Walpole natives, and town
money. Like then, Walpole’s new library, with a project budget of $11.2 million, has been made possible by various contributions
including a generous grant from the MBLC, charitable donations from the community, and optimism from the taxpayers of
Walpole. Since its dedication in April 2012, the Walpole Public Library has seen circulation levels dramatically increase and
continues to welcome patrons offering endearing compliments. (Lerner)
North Scituate Public Library, Scituate, RI – USA 2011
In this classic New England village setting, the North Scituate Public Library holds the memories of all the residents of North
Scituate who have used it since 1925. The modest 1,600 sf addition and renovation to the original building retain the beauty of the
library's historical charm while bringing it into the 21st century to support the growing population.
The exterior prominently features the archive room which is clad in slate panels to portray the importance of the collection within.
Another feature of the project is the addition of a large meeting room which will not only serve as a gathering place for events for the
community but also as an art gallery where local artists can display their work. Large windows on each side of the library allow the
community to look in and provide framed views of the village center from inside. A centrally-located circulation desk and a new
books and media at the entrance provide a flexible space for visitors to encounter and interact with each other.
The library worked with local organizations and individuals to create new garden areas which enhance the beauty of the village,
including the rain garden, designed to blend seamlessly into the traditional New England landscape. Through a careful renovation of
the existing space and a modest but thoughtful addition, the library will continue to be a vital resource for the town for decades to
come. (Lerner)
Milford Town Library, Milford, MA – USA 2007
The Milford Town Library was opened in 1986 providing an open-plan facility. The building served the community well, but in
recent years the staff realized it had become difficult to meet the increasing needs of the community in the space with its current
configuration. LLB Architects was hired to remedy the situation. Through program diagrams, such as the chosen scheme pictured
below, LLB was able to create a new layout which met the demands of both the budget and the staff. The original plan had a number
of deficiencies, accentuated by two main flaws. The Young Adult Area (located on the main floor) was separated from the basement
Meeting Room typically used by the teenagers, resulting in a constant flow of traffic which disrupted patrons who were using the
reading areas or computers. The layout of the Reference Section was inefficient; the desk was located in the center of the reading
area, while the office was located along the back wall. By reorienting the reference section and locating the desk along a wall
adjacent to the reference office, the reference librarian now has control over the entire main floor. The reorientation of stacks and
the relocation of the Young Adult Section to the lower floor next to the meeting rooms solved several of these key issues. Librarians
are strategically located throughout both floors to ensure control of each area. The Milford Town Library project was completed in
October 2007, providing the Town of Milford with a library which meets both current and future needs. Although not pushed to
receive certification, the Milford Public Library was designed to LEED status. (Lerner)
Maynard Public Library, Maynard, MA – USA 2006
The new Maynard Public Library was inserted into the shell of the formerly abandoned Roosevelt School, a locally significant and
historic three story New England brick school. The 24,000 sf building serves as a spacious new home for the growing library
collection. Due to the severe weather damage and water infiltration of the abandoned school, only the historic facades and entrances
were preserved in the renovation. Lerner | Ladds + Bartels developed a sculptural curtain wall design on each end to allow for light
to penetrate through the fire stairs and into the collection areas. The interior was reconstructed with a completely new concrete and
steel structure and organized around a central opening and skylight that is occupied on the lower level by a monumental staircase.
Each floor is also enhanced with the adaptation of a loggia-like central spine that beckons back to the arched ceiling of the original
school’s hallway. The site received a new parking lot and an accessible entrance, as well as a reading garden and seating area.
(Lerner)
Watertown Free Public Library, Renovation-Expansion, Watertown, MA – USA 2006
Architects Shaw & Hunnewell (George Russell Shaw 1848-1937 / Henry S. Hunnewell 1851 – 1931) designed the original Watertown
Free Public Library in 1884. Located prominently on Main Street in the heart of Watertown, this French Renaissance style structure
has undergone several additions and renovations over the years. The most significant expansion occurred in 1956 with a modern
brick and glass structure. The new design by Lerner | Ladds + Bartels, fully implemented by August 2006 at a cost of $9 million,
removed the later additions and restored the historic 6,000 sf red brick and brownstone library. The new 38,000 sf addition connects
its main entrances with a two-story corridor/central spine that is washed with natural light from a skylight above, and provides a
monumental stair connecting the two levels. The scale and materials of the addition are sensitive to the existing historic buildings.
The design also reestablishes the street edge and creates a vibrant new urban green space showcasing the historic library structure.
(Lerner)
The Providence Athenaeum, Providence, RI – USA 2005
Over the past 250 years The Providence Athenaeum has enjoyed a vibrant history in remarkable settings. Founded in 1753 as an
independent member-supported library, it has been located on Benefit Street on the historic East Side of Providence since 1838.
Situated between Brown University and the Rhode Island School of Design, the Greek Revival building, designed by William
Strickland (1788 – 1854), is the only example of his work in New England and is credited with promoting the style throughout the
area. Subsequent additions by Norman Isham and William Platner allowed the library to expand its collection and storage capacity
as well as provide additional spaces for the members; including a children’s area, a climate controlled rare book room, and
additional office space. The Athenaeum contracted Lerner Ladds + Bartels to address structural and life safety deficiencies
prevalent throughout the building, as well as refine their existing master plan. The “Bound,” located directly below the circulation
desk, (named for its traditional use as a bound-periodical storage area) was experiencing significant structural failure in the ceiling
joists. Temporary steel columns filled the room in attempt to curb settling. LLB was charged with finding a permanent structural
solution which would also eliminate all intermediate structure from the space. The removal of the existing columns and stacks, along
with the subsequent finishes renovation, provided the Athenaeum with much needed flex-space usable for a range of functions. In
conjunction with the structural renovation, LLB and their consultants identified all existing life-safety violations existing throughout
the building. A report was compiled and presented to the Board of Directors which suggested ways to conform to current building
codes while maintaining the historic integrity of the library. Construction was scheduled to coordinate with the Athenaeum’s annual
summer shut-down, which allowed all of the heavy work to occur without interruption to the library staff and patrons. Not only was
the primary goal to assist in the stability and integrity of the building itself, but also to maintain distinct coordination between
consultants, and ensure that full operation of the Athenaeum was maintained throughout its project timeline. Phasing proved crucial
to the project’s success, along with many protective measures to guard from debris, noise and other discomforts. (Lerner)
Nevins Memorial Library, Methuen, MA – USA 2002
Work performed by principal R. Drayton Fair, LEED AP, ALA, AIA, while employed at Tappe Associates. The Nevins Memorial
Library is not only listed on the National Register of Historic Places; the benefactors are actually buried on the property. Juggling
the complex siting issues of the building, grave site and specimen trees planted by David Nevins Jr., the design of the addition is
sympathetic to the original Richardsonian Romanesque style of the exterior. The design brings complete new handicapped
accessibility to the entire building for the first time and provides 17,000 additional SF for library services. The interior of the
addition contrasts the original ornate oak with a lighter design and wood finish while still complementing the proportions of the
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