The Observation Deck

I love the color!!

Rhonda

Rhonda, Jim, All

What has been a complete success is the movement from new to old has been completely erased. The entire building feels new, and built as one.

In New York and elsewhere they find it amazing that we got or could afford a Robert A. M. Stern Building. then when you mention the Haas murals they turn green with envy.

I think back to the day that I met Robert Haas and took him around the city, talking of different points. I felt like, "oh this is the guy painting the mural, should have saved money and let the high schoolers do it." That night I went home and check out his websites. He could certainly be called a modern day Michelangelo.

The building and the art all works perfectly together.

It is a masterpiece.

.

All

The library, its staff, administrators and board are thrilled to finally see this wonderful project at the threshold of completion. I've had the privledge of working with Ken, Panzica and the construction team, through countless construction meetings and innumerable "tours" of construction progress. The completion of the project is a sign of Lakewood's strengh and commitment to the community. We all thank you for your support.

Beyond what is shown in Jim's photos, there are other elements, beyond furniture, not yet in place. The children's organic learning center will be unique in all of Ohio. The massive computer center will bring state of the art technology to to a significant increase of computer terminals. Demming artwork for the children's room is in process.....a monumental sculpture for the Detroit enterance as well as a related sculpture in the main gallery are in the design process. Art work financed through the hard work of the library foundation, private donations and estate bequests and other foundation support. More meeting space, study space, quiet space and of course (TA DA) MORE PARKING SPACE!

Thanks to all of Lakewood for their patience. In a few short weeks, it all pays off.

Jeff

Regarding the colors....

I would say that it is really REALLY difficult to judge the interior color until all of the elements are in place.

Obviously, there will be rows of books, but there will also be furniture, artwork, decorations of various types that may hand on the walls or stand on the ground.

Oh - and people too

To add the effects for light and joy you *need* to have extremely vibrant colors, otherwise they will be lost when all of the elements are in place.

I would suggest that those that are no so fond of lime green wait until everything is in place before you judge. Personally, I dont like lime green on anything but - I *can* see how it will really add lovely sense of vibrancy to the space.

I think if you wait a while and give it a change you will be pleasantly surprised.

Always,
Charyn

Not to be a "fuddy duddy" but what the final price tag on this again?

Shawn

I haven't checked the most recent minutes or treasure's report, but if memory serves me correctly, the total costs for entire project is 17.7 Mill, including furniture, equipment, computers, moving expenses, etc.....the whole ball of wax. This does NOT include the costs for the purchase of the old Insurance Affiliates, which was paid for with a bequest. It also does not include the cost of public art which was/is being paid for with funds raised by the Foundation, or received from private individuals/foundations for those purposes.

Jeff

I just got back from the library - if you look in the chldren's section - they've already taken the plastic down in that section and are starting to load furniture.

It's gorgeous.

Charyn Compeau wrote:Regarding the colors....

I would say that it is really REALLY difficult to judge the interior color until all of the elements are in place.

Obviously, there will be rows of books, but there will also be furniture, artwork, decorations of various types that may hand on the walls or stand on the ground.

Oh - and people too

To add the effects for light and joy you *need* to have extremely vibrant colors, otherwise they will be lost when all of the elements are in place.

I would suggest that those that are no so fond of lime green wait until everything is in place before you judge. Personally, I dont like lime green on anything but - I *can* see how it will really add lovely sense of vibrancy to the space.

I think if you wait a while and give it a change you will be pleasantly surprised.

Always,
Charyn

I completely agree Charyn. There's just something about the transformation that takes place when a place is filled with furniture, books, and people.

It should be quite a sight to behold.

I would have to offer the general comment that when I toured Hayes School (my alma mater, circa 19??) my first reaction on seeing the great colors on the walls was ---This would be a great school to be a kid in!

I think the color schemes that have been selected for our public buildings have been inspired, well thought out, and all around GREAT!

Stan Austin

Best of all about the colors, it really makes the place inviting and fun ... a library shouldn't be a stodgy mausoleum, even if that was sometimes considered to be the "classic" model. It should be a living institution, warm and inviting, and even boisterous. A library shouldn't entirely be about quiet reflection (but there always should be a special quiet room for those who need it), but fun, enthusiastic, and a celebration of learning and reading.

The colors hit the nail on the head perfectly!

I'll reserve judgment until the project is completed, but my impression so far is of wasted space. That may very well change when the whole collection is displayed, but perhaps not. I'm no expert, but I do like to look at buildings, and it seems to me that having a lot of vacant space is in vogue today. Of course, distinguished buildings have always had a lot of space, but somehow it seems better used in most of the older buildings. Meanwhile, my wife and I both find the Rocky River library more pleasant as a facility, although LPL has other advantages.

I went to the LPL last week to get some VHS tapes to whet out appetite for an upcoming trip. I couldn't find any, and the signage and computers were useless in helping my search (it turned out the tapes are in storage temporarily). More disturbing, however, was the almost total lack of librarians. There were a few very busy people at the charge-out, but I wasn't thrilled with the prospect of waiting in a long line, especially when the person at the end of the line might or might not be able to answer my question. I talked to two other patrons who remarked on the lack of librarians. One had found one in the children's section, so I went there and the lady kindly answered my question, but I think her expertise was in children's services, and I was just lucky she had a note answering my question. Perhaps the librarians are also in storage.

I hope the lack of librarians was not what we will have to deal with in the new facility.

Why should I wait and reserve my judgment on the colors until the furniture is in place when there's already a room with the same color scheme and furniture in the new building?

And I also have the feeling that there is a lot of wasted space. There is something about walking into a library and seeing rows and rows of books that makes me happy. Walking into a 20 foot ceiling hallway and empty bookshelves makes me depressed.

empty bookshelves makes me depressed

Which is a very good reason to forego judgement until everything is complete! Before you submit a photo, I'll bet you crop, retouch, mat...because you want people to see a finished product before they make a judgement.

Jeff

WOW!!!! If you thought the colors on the walls were bright just wait 'till you see the colors on the furniture that's being delivered today.

Gettin' funner and funner!

I also am eager for the project to be more complete, for the collection to be returned and for all of the elements to come together.

This is going to be an amazing building in which to read, dream, learn and grow. I loved the image of the bright globes of light.

I'm hoping there can be some special time set aside for playing on the grand staircase!

I can't wait to see how we grow into this new space!