Library Buildings around the World

to flexibly accommodate day to day library activities while also providing a much needed space for public gatherings after hours. A
cafe is located on the first floor to create a dynamic gathering space.
These functional organizations are expressed on the exterior by a balance of glazed surfaces and solids. The proposed materials are
brick, limestone, copper and glass.
The $22.8 million building was completed in 2008.
University of Florida, Library West Addition, George Smathers Libraries, Gainsville, FL – USA 2007
Associate Architect Long and Associates
CLIENT University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, George Smathers Libraries, PROGRAM 60,000 square feet Addition
117,000 square feet Renovation, COST $24 million, STATUS Complete 2007
Library West at the University of Florida is located on University Avenue in Gainesville. The design concept was to provide a north
face transparent enough that activity and books are seen from vehicular or pedestrian traffic on this major Gainesville artery. This
design strategy emphasizes the buildings essential purposes, and well as presenting a welcoming presence to the community. A
transparent glass exterior wall at the first and second floors provides visual connection at the main entrance and creates a powerful
connection between the library and the Plaza of the Americas.
The project creates a state-of-the-art library that holds 1.25 million volumes, seats approximately 1600 patrons, and adequately
houses the library staff. The project included the construction of a three-story, 60,000 square foot addition, and renovation of the
existing 117,000 square foot library distributed on six floors.
Mobile compact shelving was an integral part of the strategy to achieve project goals. The compact shelving, housed in the addition,
is available to the general library user. The concept uses the available space efficiently for the proposed number of volumes while
freeing up most of the remaining space for patron seating. The existing first floor is devoted to compact shelving since the slab-ongrade
can support the loads. This strategy proved cost effective since it eliminated the need to structurally alter the existing building.
Escalators were chosen to transport the library users from the first to the second floor to enhance the speed and ease of moving the
estimated 1.5 million visitors a year into the facility. The design includes a 24 hour study space on the south west side of the library
entrance, and an accompanying cafe/vending area. (Ross)
Glenside Public Library, Glendale Heights, IL – USA 2003
CLIENT Glenside Public Library District, Glendale Heights, IL, PROGRAM 33,000 square feet Addition /Renovation
COST $6 million, STATUS Completed 2003
With patron needs expanding, the Glenside Public Library planned a major expansion to their 15 year old building. The design
integrates a $6 million addition of 13,000 square foot with the renovation of the original 20,000 square foot building. The design
solution provided for a separate children's library, enhanced computer facilities in all departments, a larger adult services
department with separate quiet study room and increased capacity for public meetings.
The addition extends the forms of the original building while opening the library to natural light through a dramatic clerestory
windowed path. This path leads patrons from the front door through the adult services area culminating in the quite study room.
The library has been re-oriented to take advantage of views of public parkland to the South and East. From the entry lobby, patrons
will have direct access to public meeting rooms, which can be used after normal library hours. The children's department is located
in a new wing extending South toward the park. The Adult services library is housed in the original building and the library
administration and technical services are located on the mezzanine overlooking the main reading room. (Ross)
University of Chicago, Regenstein Libray Reconfiguration, Chicago, IL – USA 1999
CLIENT University of Chicago, PROGRAM 125,000 square feet Reconfiguration, COST $15.5 million, STATUS Completed 1999
The University of Chicago Libraries examined a number of options to solve the most pressing problems for their main facility. The
600,000 square foot Regenstein Library was in need of refurbishment and the collection capacity exceeded 90% of available shelving
space.
The Regenstein, with a current capacity of 5.0 million volumes, is the largest facility in the University Library and serves all of the
Humanities and Social Sciences. The Reconfiguration Project has sought to provide additional storage for books and journals, to
make possible research that integrates digital resources and technologies and traditional paper-based media, to allow for the efficient
and effective use of Library staff, and to upgrade and replace vital building infrastructure. The first phase of the Regenstein
Reconfiguration Project comprised the installation of compact shelving to alleviate the severe collection overcrowding, the
renovation of the building lobby, the reconfiguration and relocation of the Access Services Division, and all associated upgrades to
electrical, mechanical and networked data systems. The first phase of the Regenstein Reconfiguration began in October 1998 and
was completed in February 2000. The work accomplished includes:
Renovation of both the south and east entrances to the building
Redesign of the main lobby
Relocation of Circulation, Course Reserves, ILL and Privileges to the front of the building
Renovation of the main reading area on the 1st floor
Installation of compact shelving on A level to house Special Collections
Installation of compact shelving, with a capacity of 1.4 million volumes
The need for space was critical in both General and Special Collections areas. In addition, since the building was originally designed
with staffing points on all floors and the library was interested in ideas which would allow staffing points to be consolidated for
longer hours of service. The Library asked Ross Barney Architects to develop means by which the Library could improve the
efficiency, operations and convenience of their flagship facility. Options were investigated which included both additions and
renovations. Major additions were not able to be undertaken due to budget constraints, so the University is pursuing a phased
approach to renovate their main library facility. The first phase will address the library's immediate shelving needs by installing
compact shelving in existing below grade levels for nearly a quarter of the collection.
In addition, much needed infrastructure improvements were made to the mechanical, electrical, fire alarm and data distribution
systems. To address the issue of the dated appearance, the main entrance lobby and adjacent reading room were renovated. This
entrance retrofit allowed Ross Barney Architects to reconfigure the exit patterns by moving the circulation desk to the front entry
area, improving distribution of reference materials and speeding check-out.
The first phase is complete, with future phases to follow as capital improvement budgets allow. 185,000 Square Feet, 6,116,978
Volumes, 280 User Seats, 45 Computer Stations, 150 Data Ports (2,400 patron seats in entire library), Compact Shelving for 1.4
million general collection volumes, Compact Shelving for 750,000 special collection volumes. (Ross)
Northwestern University Library Renovation, Evanston, IL – USA Master Plan 1999
CLIENT Northwestern University, ROGRAM 76,600 square feet, COST $630,000 Phase I, STATUS Completed 1999
University Library, is located on the Evanston Campus of Northwestern University. Built in 1972 in response to a growing collection
and service base, the building is linked to the older Deering Library on filled land over the original shore of Lake Michigan. It serves
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