Progress on the New Building

We are very happy with the progress on our new building. I know that things seem slow--but that is just because all the action is taking place behind the scenes. The architects are putting the finishing touches on the plans, engineers are studying the plans to make sure that the building is properly designed. The electrical engineers are making sure that the parking lot will be well lit--and dark sky compliant (lights point down, and don't shine in your eyes as you drive down the street--or in the neighbors windows). We have been using LEED standards to measure our building, without actually working on certification. The third party verification process is an expensive one, a cost we prefer not to incur. For more information on LEED Google LEED or US Green Building Council.
We are walking a fine line between sustainability and saving money. Our building will end up as a compromise between the two. Exactly where the line will fall will be worked out in the many meetings we are engaged in now.
All the committees, the staff, and the Board are committed, to getting this project right. This is a process that we engage in about once a century--no oftener, at least here. And with work, and skill, and luck, our descendants will still be talking about what a good job we did a century from now. In order for that to happen, the main thing we have been planning for is flexibility.
After all, who would have guessed, in 1900, when our present library opened, that computers, dvd's, books on cd, and downloadable books would even exist, let alone be a large part of the services we provide to the public. Of course, the services we provided in the early 20th century are still here--and still being used. We still provide books for children and adults, programs and story hours, reference service, historical documents, and places to have meetings. Some things have come and gone--records and tapes, 16 mm films and videos--replaced by the more modern formats. (The videos aren't totally gone yet, or the books on tape, but they're on their way out, making room for the music cd's, dvd's and books on cd and mp3cd--the newest format we stock.)
We don't know what will replace them--we are in a period of innovation that not only hasn't stopped--it hasn't even slowed down. The speed of change has increased to a point where librarians--along with everyone else, struggle to keep up. The only thing we know for sure, is that change is inevitable, and that it will move ever faster, until we reach some equilibrium not even guessed at yet.
That unknown, and unknowable, future is the one we plan for. All libraries are about preservation and access. We need to preserve our heritage, and provide access to it--two goals that are at the center of library service, and that are diametrically opposed to each other. It is not impossible to have both--merely difficult. These are the goals we plan for with this new building.

New Building Plans

Library leaders and Building Committee members have been working closely with King and King Architects to make sure that the new library is as beautiful as it is functional. Working with the staff, the architects have defined the functional areas of the library to good effect.

The building is designed to orient to the south so that the passive solar gain will provide free heating, lighting and views for all to enjoy. A clerestory high in the rafters will light the back half of the building during the day, and will contain operable windows to draw fresh air into the building when temperatures are moderate thus mitigating heating and cooling costs for the building. Green spaces, bushes and trees will help keep the air cooler around the building resulting in lower energy costs. High R-value insulation in the walls and roof and high performance windows will also make the library as energy efficient as possible.

Native vegetation around the building will aid in reducing storm water runoff, and be easy to care for as well. It will also help shield the building from summer sun, while allowing the sunshine to enter during winter months helping to warm the space. Great care is being taken in this design to make the building attractive from every angle. The side facing Main Street is filled with large windows, and the entrance, although located on the south side of the building, is angled so that it, too, faces Main Street.

Nearly all the features requested by the community will be present. The building will be fully accessible, with larger meeting rooms, wonderful sitting areas, and space for the collection to grow. There will be more computers, and wi-fi access throughout the building. It will be comfortable, and filled with light in the daytime, and well lit by lamps when the sun is not shining. There will be enough parking for regular users, and for programs.

The inside of the building will be as beautiful as the outside, and will function smoothly for all the varied uses modern libraries fill. The planning is for flexibility, so that as the needs of the community change, the libray can change to meet those needs, with a minimum of further expense and fuss.

With all this being said, I should note that nothing has been set in stone, ideas are still being gathered, and even our final design, submitted to the Albion Planning Board in June, is subject to change as needed. Stay tuned to this blog and the website for updates.