Library Buildings around the World

elevator shafts and stairwells. The combination frame/shear wall structure proved to be a very efficient and economical lateral load
system. The building is supported by conventional spread footing foundations. At the ground level the floor slabs are conventional
slab on grade construction with the exception that in place of traditional welded wire fabric to control random shrinkage cracking,
the concrete mixes include micro-fiber reinforcement. The building is currently under construction with completion anticipated in
early summer of 2011. (http://www.cement.org)
Evanston Public Library, Evanston, IL – USA 2003
115.000 sqf.
Awards:
Chicago Building Congress Award
Excellence in Masonry Gold Award
Evanston Preservation Award
ALA/IIDA Library Interior Design Award for The Loft
Chicago AIA Interior Architecture Award for The Loft
Site & Program: The urban site is centrally located in downtown Evanston. The building is the result of a national competition won
by a young architect who chose to team with Nagle Hartray to execute the project.
Design: The design conveys the library’s civic importance. The arrangement of building massing, particularly masonry piers, create
strong shadows that provide the architecture an unusual depth. The architecture strikes a balance between monumentality and
human scale appropriate to its purpose. Library interiors are organized around a central open stair that provides orientation to
visitors as they move between floors. The main reading room on the top floor is a primary feature. It is larger than usual for a public
library in order to serve both citizens of Evanston and students from nearby Northwestern University. We recently completed the
renovation of the existing Children’s Room and the build-out of The Loft – a dedicated space for teens. We collaborated with
architectureisfun, Inc., a firm that specializes in designing environments for children, on the development of age-specific zones that
include interactive, museum-like elements. (Nagle)
Oak Park Public Library, Oak Park, IL – USA 2003
104.000 sqf.
Awards:
Chicago Building Congress Award of Merit and Midwest Construction Magazine's Best of 2004 Award for New Library
Construction
Site & Program: The site is a transitional location in central Oak Park. It is across from Frank Lloyd Wright’s Unity Temple and
other similarly monumental and formal buildings. It also fronts the Jens Jensen-designed Scoville Park, which is informal by
comparison. The program called for doubling the size of the former library on the same site. Design: Nagle Hartray led a
community-wide design process through 20 to 25 public meetings. The resulting library truly reflects the community’s values, which
include respect for architectural heritage, diversity and sustainability. A paved plaza replaced the street between the library and the
park, increasing library flexibility through larger floor plates and providing the Park District an amenity for summer festivals. The
stone-clad street façade reinforces the formal architecture of neighboring buildings. The undulating, copper-clad façade reflects the
informal and organic nature of the park. The architectural “style” is intentionally non-referential to reflect the community’s
diversity. Sustainability goals were achieved within a limited project budget. Flooring consists of recycled rubber sheet goods. A
green roof increases insulation and roofing life, and reduces storm water drainage demand. Copper cladding consists of about 75%
recycled material. Stone cladding is quarried within a 500 mile radius. (Nagle)
Newman Architects, New Haven, CT – USA
http://www.newmanarchitects.com
Libraries:
John Jermain Memorial Library, Sag Habor, NY – USA on design
Sag Harbor Votes to Restore and Expand Library
(The John Jermain Memorial Library is the public library in Sag Harbor, NY. Founded in 1910, the library building and initial
collection was a gift from Margaret Olivia Slocum Sage to the people of Sag Harbor).
The citizens of Sag Harbor, New York, voted resoundingly in favor of restoring and adding to its John Jermain Memorial Library.
In August 2009, design work will begin to create a 21st century library for this historically significant eastern Long Island town. The
deteriorating fabric of the existing Beaux Arts building will be restored. A new addition will express the new relationship between
the institution of the library, information media, and the community. Richard Munday is partner-in-charge. Michael Scott is the
project manager. (Newman)
By Amanda Wyatt
The year 2012 was a whirlwind for John Jermain Memorial Library (JJML), but don’t expect it to slow down too much in 2013. In
fact, the library is moving full speed ahead with its renovation and expansion during this new year.
Already, scaffolding is being slowly taken down from the historic building, which has been undergoing a massive renovation since
last spring. And if all goes according to plan, JJML will be able to break ground on its new, modern addition to the 102-year-old
structure later this month.
The multimillion-dollar construction project has been years in the making, and was approved for funding by library district voters
in 2010, but as Catherine Creedon, JJML’s director, explained this week, the library really kicked the project into high gear last
March.
That was when JJML received its building permit from the Village of Sag Harbor, as well as a construction loan from the
Bridgehampton National Bank.
“Those two things really allowed us to begin the project in earnest,” Creedon said.
For Creedon, nine months ago feels more like “a million years ago,” considering all of the work that has been accomplished in such a
small amount of time.
The exterior bricks at the historic building have been restored with a new roof currently in the works. The restored stained glass lay
light — one of the architectural gems of the library — will also be installed soon.
All of the windows have been restored, and new mahogany storm windows have also been fabricated for the outside of the building.
The library’s lighting fixtures, which were originally wired for gas, are being cleaned and rewired by a master craftsperson in
Connecticut.
The building’s “crown jewel” — the terracotta dome designed by the R. Guastavino Company and located on the third floor rotunda
— has also been restored after a rather anxiety-provoking discovery this summer.
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