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Libraries_text

A library is one of the most significant buildings within a community. Every library is different and unique, and deserves an image reflective of the community's image and goals. Library design offers the challenge of accommodating high and varied types of usage, meeting the high expectations of the community along with anticipation of future technologies. The new library must provide something and someplace for everyone; it is the "Third Place" within the community. PSA-Dewberry is a library specialist, with consultants and designers providing pre-design, planning, building design, interior design and thematic interiors for clients throughout the country.

Contact:
Denelle C. Wrightson, AIA
dwrightson@dewberry.com
469.232.5245

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Projects

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Tinley Park Library

Tinley Park Public Library
Tinley Park, Illinois

PSA-Dewberry provided complete A/E services on the new two-level, replacement library for this fast growing suburb. The site, bounded by a busy commuter rail service line, is part of a village-owned development that features recreational uses and a wetland interpretive walk. The library features expanded media collections, a variety of group meeting spaces, and an extensive young adult area with its own program space. A significant design challenge was to orient public spaces away from the railway for sound separation, yet, feature a public façade along the railway’s elevation.

Hanover Park Branch Library

Hanover Park Branch Library
Hanover Park, Illinois

The new, 9,500-SF Hanover Park Branch Library provides more than 2,600 SF for adult services, over 1,600 SF for the children’s area, a 700-SF meeting room, and 618 SF dedicated for teens. The library combines the old with the new by incorporating several thematic installations from the previous leased storefront branch library, the beloved castle and throne, fiber optic constellations, dinosaur exhibit, and Pharaoh’s sarcophagus, while adding a quiet reading room with a fireplace, a group study room, additional computers, and a sculpture garden/outdoor courtyard. The remainder of the support space includes a staff workroom and office, a staff lounge, mechanical space, and storage areas.

W. O. Haggard Public Library

W. O. Haggard Public Library
Plano, Texas

Prior to the most recent addition project, PSA-Dewberry provided services turning the 20,000-SF unfinished basement in a home for the reference collection, administration, and technical services. The facility remained open during construction. Most recently, PSA-Dewberry was selected to design a 20,471-SF second-floor addition to the existing 40,000-SF facility.

Richardson Public Library

Richardson Public Library Renovation
Richardson, Texas

The Richardson Public Library renovation reconfigured many areas of the library. The biggest change was the expansion of the children’s area through much of the first floor, with a large, whimsical entrance that is inviting to the younger library patrons. The children’s collection is now easier to access with lower shelves that put more of the books within the reach of children. New carpeting and new decorations inspired by some of the most beloved figures from children’s literature make the area an inviting and fun place for children and their parents.

Tuckahoe Area Library

Tuckahoe Area Library
Richmond, Virginia

The Tuckahoe Library is a new regional facility for the County of Henrico. It is a 50,000-SF library designed for a future expansion to 75,000 SF. The community and staff were involved in the programming and design. Focus groups and community meetings were used to gather input and build consensus. The new two-story library includes a cafe, young adult area, computer lab, and group study rooms in addition to traditional services.

libr-southfield_s.jpg

Southfield Public Library
Southfield, Michigan

This new 106,132 SF library is prominently placed on the corner of this suburban Detroit municipal campus, giving it a more urban context and civic importance.  The exterior character was derived from the existing municipal campus and the adjacent corporate architecture. The most striking feature is the grand entry, created by PSA-Dewberry as a three-story glass tower to serve as a welcoming beacon to patrons. Children and youth areas on the first floor are highlighted by several interactive thematic environments such as a story book castle complete with a throne of books and a dragon's cave, a story time space station with a countdown clock and fog machine simulating lift-off, and a large tree house where children can lie on the trees' contoured roots. As patrons progress to the upper floors, the imagery becomes less active, until the third floor where one can enjoy casual browsing in a country club atmosphere.

libr-terrebonne_s.jpg Terrebonne Parish Library
Houma, Louisiana
This new 70,000 SF Parish Library is a great example of a modern library. It includes traditional library components with new spaces such as distance learning, an exciting young adult area, as well as a variety of people places. The children's area features a nautical theme with a bubble wall entry, reader sail boats and fish carpet patterns. The second floor features a genealogy room, a classroom, computer lab and outdoor patio. PSA-Dewberry provided schematic and design development, interior design, specialty children's design and furniture specifications.
libr-naperville_s.jpg Naperville Public Library
Naperville, Illinois
Although the program for this new 74,000 SF library is fairly typical of suburban libraries, the Library Board desired this facility to represent a technologically advanced facility compared to other neighboring community libraries. To achieve a "high-tech, high-touch" look and feel, PSA-Dewberry's design included terra cotta cladding as the primary exterior material. This, in conjunction with glass and concrete, gives the library its progressive essence. This is the Library's third site and its largest facility.
libr-ashburn_s.jpg Ashburn Library
Loudoun County, Virginia
We designed the Ashburn Library to serve as a community center for a rapidly expanding suburban development in the eastern portion of the county. The 23,000 square foot facility combines traditional community library functions with meeting rooms and accompanying outreach programs to integrate the facility into the day-to-day activities of the surrounding residents.