Library Buildings around the World

The original library was built in 1979 and was 45,500 square feet. The new building, at 57,241 square feet in size, will accommodate
increases in student population, library collections, a campus archive and demand for new technologies, such as computers. The
project was paid for with funding approved by voters as part of the $6 billion Los Angeles Community College District Building
Program. ELAC is one of nine colleges that make up the LACCD, and is located in Monterey Park, east of downtown Los Angeles.
ELAC is in the midst of a $667 million program to renovate and modernize the campus to better serve East Los Angeles and
surrounding communities.
“The renovated and expanded Bailey Library is a flagship project at one of our flagship campuses, and is a great example of how
taxpayer dollars are funding improvements that our students can use right away,” said Board of Trustees member Scott Svonkin.
“In these times of reduced support from Sacramento, we are carefully using voter-approved construction dollars to do more with
less.”
The renovated Bailey Library now houses approximately 150,000 volumes, and provides reading and study facilities of various sizes
and types from individual to small and medium group study rooms as well as two general classrooms, conference room, library
offices, campus archives and library support areas. The project’s sustainability features include strategies to increase water
efficiency, reduce energy consumption, and reduce the “heat island effect” with a reflective roof. The project used regionally
manufactured materials wherever possible, and diverted 75% of construction waste away from landfills. Indoor air quality was
enhanced through the use of low VOC emitting finishes and increased controllability of lighting and ventilation.
“I’m pleased to honor the memory of Dr. Bailey and see her legacy extended through the opening of this expanded and modernized
library,” said Daniel LaVista, chancellor of the nine-college LACCD. “This project is yet another successful example of the District’s
Building Program to remake our colleges to better serve our students and the communities surrounding our colleges.”
After the formal ribbon cutting, tours of the renovated building were conducted for attendees.
About East Los Angeles College
East Los Angeles College has an international, multicultural student body that complements the 14 communities comprising its
primary service area. The college offers both academic transfer courses which prepare students for admission to four-year colleges
and universities, and occupational programs which prepare students for careers in two years or less. The college is located in the
suburban community of Monterey Park, California, ten miles east of downtown Los Angeles.
About the Los Angeles Community College District
The Los Angeles Community College District, the nation's largest community college district, serves one-quarter million students a
year in more than 36 cities in Los Angeles County at its nine colleges. The District covers nearly 900 square miles and has educated
and trained the region's diverse workforce since 1969.
About the LACCD Building Program
LACCD’s Building Program is a 14-year, $6 billion program funded mostly by taxpayer-approved bonds, supplemented by
additional funding from the state of California. With approximately $3 billion spent so far, the LACCD’s nine colleges are benefiting
from brand new and renovated academic buildings, sports facilities, arts complexes, administrative buildings, child development
centers, and parking structures. The Building Program has completed hundreds of separate projects, with hundreds more in the
planning or construction stages. For more information on the LACCD’s construction program and a list of awards the District has
received for its environmentally responsible projects, visit www.laccdbuildsgreen.org.
The scope for the proposed library modernization.
(http://www.laccdbuildingsgreen.org/mediacenter/index.php?item=220)
The scope for the proposed library modernization is based on the newly developed library program identifying the functional space
requirements and provides recommended usable square footage for all operations and functional areas. The existing building will go
through an expansion of 60.000 sqf. Designed to LEED Silver Rating. Tetra-IBI Group provided a detailed building evaluation for
the modernization and addition to the two-storey library. The detailed review and analysis once implemented will bring a complete
building upgrade and addition. (Tetra)
Exposition Park Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Branch Library, Los Angeles, CA – USA 2008
14,500-square-foot
Exposition Park – Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune Regional Branch Library used the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design) new construction rating system developed by the U.S Green Building Council. There are four certification levels (Certified,
Silver, Gold, Platinum) awarded according to achievement as evaluated by points using the LEED scorecard. The following outlines
design measures were employed to attain Gold certification in the construction of the library:
1. Landscape & Exterior Design to Reduce Heat Island: Additional shade trees and less thermal-absorbing “white concrete”
pavement and “white coating” on the roof were used to reduce the heat absorbed by the site during the day and radiated at night.
This helps avoid raising the ambient temperature and disturbing the microclimate of the surrounding park.
2. Water Use Reduced by 30%: The installation of low-flow plumbing fixtures as well as highly efficient landscaping irrigation
system will reduce water consumption by 30%.
3. Optimize Energy Performance: The building is designed to be 27% more energy efficient than a standard building, by utilizing
efficient mechanical systems, double glazing with high efficiency glass coatings, and naturally lit reading rooms with automatic light
fixture dimming.
4. Recycled & Environmental Safe Content: At least 10% of the materials and products used in this project were from recycled
materials; rapidly renewable materials were also used such as bamboo flooring and cotton Insulation; and low volatile organic
compound content paints and coating.
5. Regional Materials: At least 10% of the total materials used to construct the library were from sources within 500 miles of the
project site, thus reducing the greenhouse gases emitted by transporting materials over greater distances.
6. Solar power: DWP donated a large number of photovoltaic panels, which were placed on the south side of the building and on the
roof to generate electricity from the sun.
7. Transportation Alternative: The library is located close to community transportation such as the bus line and train station.
8. Additional Commissioning: An independent commissioning agent has been retained to verify that the building systems are
calibrated and performance meets the LEED requirements.The commissioning agent will also provide maintenance personnel with
training and will be available for re-commissioning and verification services. (http://thegreenlibraryblog.blogspot.com)
Sensitive site planning of the Library´s relationship to the park and neighborhood are key to the successful influence the Library will
have on both the park and surrounding neighborhood. The programmatic spaces will take advantage of an abundance of natural
light through high volume spaces with generous clerestory lights. Major views from within the library will focus on the park with the
Children´s Reading Area leading the design statement of a shop´s prow pointing the park. (Tetra)
Joyce Ellington Branch Library, San José, CA – USA 2008
15.500 sqf.
Responsive orientation of building elements support sustainability and is a natural outgrowth of the Library´s location and
relationship to its surroundings by providing maximum natural light. Large amounts of glass is used to achieve the transparent
quality of the Library, but is also used as a means of energy conservation. Large overhangs are incorporated to reduce sun
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