tag:www.westportlibrary.org,2007:/buildingblog//4 2007-03-23T20:42:18Z Movable Type Publishing Platform 4.0 tag:www.westportlibrary.org,2007:/buildingblog//4.225 2007-03-23T20:37:07Z 2007-03-23T20:42:18Z

Architect Henry Myerberg met recently with writers and researchers who use the Library as a place to do their work. Here are some of the observations they made:

George Wagner http://www.westportlibrary.org/buildingblog Architect Henry Myerberg met recently with writers and researchers who use the Library as a place to do their work. Here are some of the observations they made: • They find the Library the least distracting place to work among all their options, each finding his or her own niche and type of space here depending on the day. • They find a ready-make community forum among others doing the same type of work here. They enjoy seeing the same people and watching each other’s belongings when they get up to take a break. • Breaks are special at the Library because they might include browsing art displays or books, bumping into neighbors and getting a drink at the café. • Their average stay in the Library is from three to four hours. • They try to avoid the temptations of the Internet and consider their time here a haven from the outside world. As the Library goes forward with planning for the future, the input of this group of users will be valuable. We will continue to keep in touch with other groups of users as the plans for new space take on more detail. tag:www.westportlibrary.org,2007:/buildingblog//4.173 2007-02-12T17:10:16Z 2007-02-12T17:15:01Z

What do teens want to see in their library? We found out when 10 students met with architect Henry Myerberg, Teen Services Librarian Jaina Lewis and Library Director Maxine Bleiweis last week.

George Wagner http://www.westportlibrary.org/buildingblog What do teens want to see in their library? We found out when 10 students met with architect Henry Myerberg, Teen Services Librarian Jaina Lewis and Library Director Maxine Bleiweis last week. They want a place to come together to study with the features that help them try out their reports—electronic (“smart”) boards, projection screens, and media editing equipment. We learned that assignments come in very different shapes and forms. They want places to work together that don’t disturb others (which frequently happens now). We also learned that they treasure the feel of the book and the ease of reading paper versus text on a computer screen. They want to see the latest new offerings of the library on display. They feel that food is important to fuel their energies and are interested in seeing something special here that doesn’t duplicate the ubiquitous coffee chains. They recognize that the library is different than chain bookstores and want all the things associated with it to be different as well. They want films, such as independent festival showings and documentaries. They wanted a way to use part of the library late at night when the rest might be closed. They agreed that quiet spaces are distracting! A buzz around them is motivating. They learn and operate in a multi-media world. They prized the independence they feel when they are able to negotiate the downtown areas on foot and go from one place to another. The library is an important anchor to them. They made good suggestions for immediate implementation (more textbooks, notecards, and laptops to loan in the building) and insightful suggestions that new space will address. We were reminded that they are the voice of the future adult user and that we need to listen to what they are saying if we want to continue to attract future generations! tag:www.westportlibrary.org,2007:/buildingblog//4.164 2007-02-05T14:36:39Z 2007-02-05T14:40:45Z

During the design process, we hope that architect Henry Myerberg can meet directly with members of the community to listen to their needs for library space. Two meetings are currently scheduled.

George Wagner http://www.westportlibrary.org/buildingblog mbleiweis@westportlibrary.org. ]]> tag:www.westportlibrary.org,2007:/buildingblog//4.134 2007-01-16T19:25:22Z 2007-01-17T18:42:33Z

Leading the Way, the strategic plan for the Library 2004-2007, included goals for re-examining space needs at the Library. Increased usage was driving this examination. Since the Library’s last renovation and expansion in 1996-98, circulation of materials has soared nearly 70%, program attendance is up over 50%, and visits are up nearly 60%. The space may appear to be just fine at first glance. The ’96-'98 expansion solved much of the overcrowding that existed and created some wonderful spaces such as the reading rooms with river views. However, in the nine years since the last expansion the Library is being used in new ways. It’s no longer an errand, but a destination.

George Wagner http://www.westportlibrary.org/buildingblog Leading the Way, the strategic plan for the Library 2004-2007, included goals for re-examining space needs at the Library. Increased usage was driving this examination. Since the Library’s last renovation and expansion in 1996-98, circulation of materials has soared nearly 70%, program attendance is up over 50%, and visits are up nearly 60%. The space may appear to be just fine at first glance. The ’96-'98 expansion solved much of the overcrowding that existed and created some wonderful spaces such as the reading rooms with river views. However, in the nine years since the last expansion the Library is being used in new ways. It’s no longer an errand, but a destination. The average length of stay is closer to an hour, rather than a few minutes. And people use the library to meet in groups, to study together and to discuss issues. Not only do we have more groups requesting meeting rooms, but you’re likely to find the seats in the lobby crowded with people meeting together or teens studying for exams in groups. Seeing these changing patterns, the Board engaged an architect, Robert Orr, to do a space planning study in 2004. His report indicated that the Library required an additional 43,600 square feet to meet current requirements. The increase was driven by increased aisle width for the stack areas and for display opportunities, as well as more meeting space. As an interim step, the Board authorized a “Phase I” renovation in 2005 which added three new conference rooms on the main floor, new computer furniture, new display furniture and additional lobby seating. A “Phase II” renovation started to gel as a long-term expansion and renovation. To confirm that the Library needed substantially more square feet, the Board commissioned library space planner Elisabeth Martin of MDA designgroup to independently confirm the requirements of the first study. Her study indicated that an additional 33,800 square feet were required, driven primarily by more meeting spaces and to a lesser extent by stack requirements. Both studies pointed out the inefficient layout of the Library on three levels, which presented difficulties for people to find their way and for the staff to deliver services efficiently. In the meantime, we’ve seen overflow crowds attend library programs. We’ve seen children get closed out of library programs – not because of too little staffing but because of not enough space. And we say "no" much more often than we should to people with space needs different from what the Library was designed to accommodate. Responding to the two studies and to the trends that we’re seeing, the Library Board engaged architect Henry Myerberg of Rockwell Group to produce conceptual designs for an expanded and renovated library. He is passionate about libraries, and he has designed libraries as diverse as the Rhys Carpenter Library at Bryn Mawr College and elementary school libraries in New York. His other work includes performance spaces, hotels, restaurants and galleries. The process is underway. The architect has met with our Building Committee and with Westport officials who are responsible for planning and for code enforcement. The conceptual designs should be available this spring, and we think they will provide an exciting new look at what the Library can be. This blog can be a forum for questions and answers about the project, and we’ll update it frequently as we have news. Feel free to post comments and questions about your Library at any time. Coming next: More information on architect Henry Myerberg and his projects.]]>