MODERN LIBRARIES IN NORTH AMERICA

A Library is a collection of information, sources, resources, and services: it is organized for use and maintained by a public body, an institution, or a private individual. Libraries are integral parts of the country and nation and indicate the human desire to preserve and collect knowledge and progress both culturally and intellectually. Nowadays, there are different types of libraries: national, regional, public, specialized, and “academic” (university, institute and school libraries).The architectural style of library buildings varied during the ages. In the beginning of the 20th century, the classical style started to be replaced with a new modern one. Modern architecture is the term used to describe the simplified, unornamented building structures. It also became possible to implement these new design ideas as a result of new technological and engineering developments. Materials like glass, steel, iron and concrete began to be widely used in construction.Modern design subscribes to the idea that form should follow function. They often resemble simple geometric shapes and many have lots of glass and windows. People tend to like modern buildings because of their simplistic shapes and well thought out function. Many architects went beyond the modern style and created buildings with futuristic appearance and shape.For this presentation, I selected a group of modern and unusual library buildings in North America. There are many more library buildings that could fit this category, but I decided to limit the number slides to be shown. I am sorry if your favorite library is not included. This is part three of my libraries presentations. Dan Calistrat

The Seattle Central Library in Seattle, Washington was opened in 2004. The 363,000 square foot (34,000 m²) public library can hold about 1.45 million books. The 11-story (185 feet or 56 meters high) building is constructed mainly with glass and steel.

Another view of the Seattle Library.

Over 2 million individuals visited the Seattle Library in its first year.

Seattle, Washington has a thing for cool libraries. The Ballard Library is a public project that stresses green design features without compromising convenience and accessibility for book readers. Built in 2005 at a cost of just under $11 million, the Ballard Library features an innovative “green roof” consisting of native grasses planted 4 to 6 inches deep in a growing medium.

When the Denver Library in Denver, Colorado first opened in 1889, it held 35,000 books, a minute fraction of today's collection of 5 million. In 1995, the new Central Library opened to nationwide acclaim. It is now the largest library between Los Angeles and Chicago, and each year it is visited by over a million people. The renovation of the Central Branch was hailed worldwide as an example of post modern architecture.

Sculpture of a chair and a horse in front of the library.

Reading hall at the Denver public library.

The Kansas City Central Library in Missouri is housed in a classical building.

However one of the walls of its parking lot is something special….

The people of Kansas City were asked to help pick highly influential books that represent Kansas City. Those titles were included as “bookbindings” in the innovative design of the parking garage’s exterior wall. The book spines, which measure approximately 25 feet by 9 feet, are made of signboard mylar. There are 22 “books” set between glass-enclosed stairwells, made to look like bookends.

The John Robarts Library built in 1973, is the main library of the University of Toronto, Canada.The library's imposing appearance has earned it the nickname of Fort Book. The building is one of the most significant examples of brutalist architecture style in North America.The Brutalism is a sub-style of the Modernist period (post-war to 1975). Brutalist buildings are defined by their exposed, bunker-like, bare concrete walls, and usually have main entrances not oriented to the street. Swiss architect Le Corbusier can be blamed for the name, taken from the French words for "rough concrete" (beton brut).

Inside view of the Toronto’s Robarts Library, with exposed concrete walls and ceilings.

The Atlanta Central Library in Georgia, completed in 1980, was also designed in a brutalist architectural style. The building was built for a capacity of 1,000 users and one million volumes.The structures consists of a steel frame and concrete slabs, and the exterior is composed of precast concrete panels bush-hammered for texture.

Atlanta Central Library side view.

The upper floors are connected by monumental concrete stairs.

The Geisel Library is the main library building on the University of California, San Diego campus.The building is named in honor of Audrey and Theodor Seuss Geisel (better known as Dr. Seuss) for the generous contributions they have made to the library. The building was designed to resist California’s severe earthquakes.

The Lied Library is located in Paradise, Nevada. At 5 stories and 302,000 square feet (28,100 m2), it is the largest library of the University of Nevada, Las Vegas campus.

The main entry was designed in a very modern style.

The Automated Storage and Retrieval (LASR) unit in the Lied Las Vegas Library integrates industrial automated materials handling technologies with the online library catalog system. Three computer-controlled cranes provide access to bins full of stored materials. Library patrons access stored materials through the library catalog. The LASR operator receives the electronic request and activates the appropriate crane to retrieve the materials.

The Southfield Public Library is located in the city of Southfield, Michigan. The Library's vision is "We help people succeed. "The new Southfield Public Library opened the doors to its new $36 million home in 2003.

The San Antonio,Texas Public Library is a 240,000 square feet (22,000 m2), six-story structure that opened in 1995. The building is located in downtown San Antonio and is easily recognized by its bright-colored, striking Mexican Modernist design. The primary color of the building's exterior is "Enchilada Red”.

The library was financed through a $28 million bond. In addition, another $10 million in funding from private sources and the city's general budget helped finance the murals and artwork inside the library, as well as new furniture, equipment, and fixtures.

The architect for the building was the renowned Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta. Unique features of the library include a multi-story, bright yellow atrium, and several outdoor plazas with landscaping and fountains intended to be used as outdoor reading rooms. In Legorreta's own words: "I wanted to break the concept that libraries are imposing."

The design for the Montgomery County, Maryland Library sought to find a way to commemorate a significant local occurrence - the mapping of the human genome. Overall, the building follows the curvature of Maryland Avenue, while the exterior wall undulates along the curve - a subtle reference to one half of a double helix.

The main atrium has an unusual carpet that won the Commercial Carpets of America 2006 Design Award.

…and also an ethereal starry night ceiling.

The Princeton University Lewis Library is located in Princeton, New Jersey. Designed by Frank Gehry, the 87,000 square foot (7830 m2) facility is home to the multidiscipline science library. The exterior utilizes stainless steel panels, brick, stucco and glass to create a bold exterior with curved roof lines and a center tower.

The main entrance leads into the multi-story atrium where a large information desk with its signature Gehry curves is located.

A star-shaped opening between the first and second floors is one unique design element of the new library. 

A warm interior is in contrast with the very modern exterior.

The Cerritos Public Library is the civic library for the City of Cerritos, California. The $40 million library was opened in 2002, and it was the first building to feature an exterior clad with titanium panels in the United States.

Some photos of the interior of the Cerritos library, as well as a very appropriate entrance to the children’s library.

A flying saucer? No, it is the Loyola Marymount University Hannon Library, Los Angeles. Situated on a hill, it has panoramic views of Los Angeles and the Pacific Ocean.The four story building with an area of 120,000 square feet (10,800 m2) was built in 2009 for a cost of $64 million.

Cesar Chavez Library in Phoenix, Arizona is a branch of the Phoenix Public Library system. It is a small library with an area of 25,000 square feet(2250 m2) and was built in 2007 for a cost of $ 5 million.

The interior of the Cesar Chavez library is nicely decorated.

The Salt Lake Public Library in Utah is a 6 story building with an area of 240,000 square feet (21,600 m2) built in 2003. A multi-level reading area with a tall glass wall provides stunning views of the city and the Wasatch Mountains beyond.

A huge atrium crosses the library.

The Minneapolis Central Library in Minnesota opened to the public in 2006. At a cost of $250 per square foot, the library features a host of energy efficient measures, including a roof garden and substantial daylight. The library is constructed by two separate buildings connected by an unusual roof that covers a huge atrium.

The tall atrium between the two buildings.

The Toronto Reference Library is located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.The 415,000 square feet (38,500 m2) five-story building opened in 1977. The library's collection is mostly non-circulating, although a few materials can be borrowed.

Another view of the Toronto Reference Library.

Inside views of the Toronto Reference Library. Ribbon style stairs and open glass elevators are located in a large atrium.

Vancouver Library Square, in Vancouver Canada, is a mixed-use project containing the central public library, a federal government office tower, retail and service facilities, and below-grade parking. The Library Square occupies a complete city block and was opened in 1995, at a cost of over $160 million.

The highlight of the project is a free-standing elliptical wall that contains reading and study areas accessed by bridges from the central pavilion. This wall makes the library look similar to the Roman Coliseum.

The library's internal glass facade overlooks an enclosed concourse formed by a second elliptical wall. This generous, glass-roofed concourse, serves as an entry foyer to the library and for the lively pedestrian activities at ground level.

The Library building has a rooftop garden. This roof garden is not accessible to the public. (Why was it built? For views from helicopters?)

Central Library is the main library at the University of Mexico City, Mexico. The building is adorned on all sides with murals and is recognized as the largest mural in the world. The mural is made of thousands of colored tiles that were brought from many different parts of the country because a large number of colors were needed for the construction. This mural depicts the ancient past of Mexican culture.

Book lovers never go to bed alone. -UnknownEverything you need for better future and success has already been written. And guess what? All you have to do is go to the library and find them. -Unknown

Libraries allow children to ask questions about the world and find the answers.  And the wonderful thing is that once a child learns to use a library, the doors to learning are always open.    -Laura Bush

Outside of a dog, a book is a man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read. -Groucho Marx

When I was your age, television was called books! -Grandpa in The Princess Bride

The paperback is very interesting but I find it will never replace the hardcover book, it makes a very poor doorstop. -Alfred Hitchcock

Library Here is where people, one frequently finds,Lower their voices and raise their minds -Richard Armour

The covers of this book are too far apart. -Ambrose Bierce

Only by reading a bad book, you can fully appreciate the true value of a good book. -Ionel Calistrat

This ends the Modern Libraries Presentation.

Now it is your turn to go to the library and find a good book.

Presentation by Dan [email protected]

Pictures from InternetMusic: Pink Cherries (Ciliegi rosa)

August 2010