Library Buildings around the World

In 1980, firm leaders purchased the historic Majestic Building at 47 S. Pennsylvania St., where Woollen Molzan operated for several
years. It most recently was located at 600 S. Kentucky Ave. between Lucas Oil Stadium and the White River.
With $9.9 million in local billings and 22 licensed architects in 2009, Ratio is the city’s fourth-largest architectural firm, according to
the most recent IBJ statistics.
(http://ibj.com/local-architectural-firm-woollen-molzan-disbands/PARAMS/articele/26803
Libraries:
Indianapolis-Marion County Public Library – Central Library Indianapolis, IN – USA 2007
476.448 sqf.
Woollen, Molzan and Partners served as the library programmer and designer for this downtown landmark facility. The existing
Central Library has many significant interior and exterior architectural elements. The Beaux Arts structure (designed in 1914)
(1913-1917 Zantzinger, Borie, Medary – Philadelphia, with Paul Philippe Cret, Philadelphia) has a grand front entrance and
exterior details. Interior features include the majestic main delivery room with its ceiling paintings, and the two great reading rooms
flanking it. The design of the addition compliments but does not mimic the original building. Its new north entrance provides a
second access to the overall complex anticipated to house 1,000,000 volumes. The project included the historic renovation of 56,224
square feet; addition of 237,069 square feet of library space; and a 183,155 square foot underground parking garage. Two
particularly important features of the new library are its high-technology/multimedia facilities and the advanced Family
Information Center. Technology facilities include instructional labs and individual user labs totaling 200 seats, multimedia systems,
a 325-seat auditorium, and comprehensive on-line services. The Family Information Center will include innovative children’s event
facilities, craft rooms, tutorial areas, multimedia facilities, theater and interactive exhibit areas. The role of the Central Library in
serving downtown businesses and residents, and the community as a whole, is being redefined as Indianapolis’ downtown
renaissance continues. Indianapolis’ Central Library can now be added to the list of significant core city library expansions in major
cities across the United States. (Woollen)
North Central Student Faculty Library – Purdue University, Westville, IN – USA 2007
32,000 sqf.
This project began with a study to assess the feasibility of phased renovations to the Library. The goals were to develop a series of
manageable projects that would update the physical appearance of the library and entrance, create more contemporary and relevant
library space, and develop a unified Learning Center by integrating functions currently housed elsewhere on campus. The Learning
Center functions continue to evolve with campus goals, but may include a Writing Center, Language Lab, Tutoring, Testing
Services, or similar functions. The long-term goals include updating the physical appearance of the facility; increasing visibility and
functionality of a reference commons and information literacy instruction lab; providing additional computers access; and adding a
variety of collaborative study spaces including group studies. Accessibility via elevator for the public is currently difficult and
challenges library security. Therefore, improvements to vertical circulation and public/staff zoning are also long-term goals. Phase
One, which created the spaces for the Learning Center, replaced floor and wall finishes, improved the library entrance, repainted
the public spaces, and modernized the service desk, was successfully completed by the fall semester. (Woollen)
Linton Public Library, Linton, IN – USA 2007
19,000 sqf. , $ 1.300.000
The Linton Public Library (formerly Margaret Cooper Public Library) was housed in a 1908 Carnegie structure. In 2001, the
Library arranged to purchase a three-acre site in downtown Linton and contracted with the library designers at Woollen, Molzan
and Partners to create the new structure. The program calls for a 19,000 square foot building to include community meeting spaces
as well as collections, reading, and processing spaces. The new facility is designed to house approximately 100,000 volumes to
include: • 60,000 volumes: adult collection (fiction & non-fiction), • 15,000 volumes: media collection, • 6,500 volumes: genealogy and
local history, • 10,000 volumes: children's, • 7,500 volumes: young adult. (Woollen)
Paul Sawyier Public Library, Frankfort, KY – USA 2005
38,560 sqf.
The library programmers and designers of Woollen, Molzan and Partners led the process to design this new facility in downtown
Frankfort. The former Paul Sawyier Public Library was housed in a historic building which was once the US Courthouse and Post
Office. Although an impressive structure, it became apparent that it was impractical for use as a library and could not meet the
needs of the growing system. The new facility will be almost triple the size of their current facility. This new main library is located
within Frankfort's downtown Historic District. Therefore, it was critical that the design weave into the fabric of its 19th century
surroundings. Because of the owners’ interest in incorporating civic character into the building, inclusion of stained glass, a public
art display area, and a “Kentucky Collections Room” for Kentucky authors was integrated into the design as well. The steeply
sloping riverbank site, located within the floodway of Kentucky River, required that the first floor be raised above the 500-year flood
level. This allowed for the design of under-building parking, making the parking level completely “floodable.” (Woollen)
Rice Library – University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, IN – USA 2006
155.000 sqf.
Woollen, Molzan and Partners' library programmers and designers served on the design team for this new five-level
library/classroom building. It is more than twice the size of the current campus library. As noted in USA Today, “it will be the tallest
building on campus. . .[featuring] a rotunda and a curved rear facade with floor-to-ceiling windows.” The lower level of Rice Library
contains sixteen classrooms and a 125-seat auditorium, with a separate outside entrance for secure 24/7 access. The first floor houses
the circulation and reference areas, media and listening rooms, two computer labs, a commons area, and a two-story reading room.
A Starbucks is located on this level. It is equipped with wired and wireless access as well as a variety of seating areas. Although
located within this new facility, the cafe is zoned outside of the security parameters of the library functions—allowing for alternative
hours of operation and any special events. University Archives and Special Collections are located on the third floor. Stacks, reading
rooms, and a variety of study areas—including approximately 30 group study rooms—are located on the second, third, and fourth
floors. (Woollen)
Click here to visit our client's website: http://www.usi.edu/virtualtour/library_tour.html
Park Library and Information Services Center – Central Michigan University, Mount Pleasant, MI –
USA 2004
see also: URS Corporation
305.755 sqf.
Woollen, Molzan and Partners' library designers served on the design team for this newly expanded complex. It is the centerpiece of
a new, electronically-supported learning environment emerging at Central Michigan University (CMU). The LISC contains
client/server technology supported by ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) infrastructure that integrates multimedia information
into group and individual learning settings. The facility accommodates 1,300,000 volumes, 90% of which is in nearly five miles of
mobile ranges—one of the largest installations in North America. Additional amenities within this facility include: • Specialized
instructional areas, multimedia labs, and classrooms • Auditorium (a 145-seat high-tech multimedia facility) • Baber Room (an art
exhibit complex) • Café • Clarke Historical Library (A large archival facility containing one of the finest children’s collections in the
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