The Observation Deck

Lakewood Public Library: A Period of Transition

While the public’s reception to the new library has been immensely positive, seeing the beauty and civic scale of a design by Robert A.M. Stern Architects that brings new light to the dignity of reading, there are several limitations and transitional aspects due to the phasing of the project that may detract from an initial impression of the design and functionality of the program.

A phased project imposes limitations and demands flexibility on staff and public alike. As the staff and public adjust to these challenges over the final six months of this phased project, kindly bear these points in mind:

Circulation Desk

The Circulation Desk is centrally located in the hallway on the first floor. Staff work and sorting space is quite limited at this time.

Children’s and Youth Services

Only a very small segment of space is currently available for the collections and programs of Children’s and Youth Services. The Children’s Computer Connections Room is open for service on the first floor.

First Floor (New Books, Magazines and Audio-Visual Media)

In addition to new books and magazines, CDs, DVDs and videos will be temporarily located here on book shelves. These materials will be relocated upon installation of audio visual fixtures on the second floor of renovated building early next year.

Access to the Second Floor (Reference, Fiction, Non-Fiction and Newspapers)

Due to the phased nature of the project, access to the second floor is only possible through a stairwell in the northeast corner of the building and an elevator in the south entry. This elevator’s primary purposes are to serve the materials movement to the second floor and access to the lower level.

Therefore, making your way to the second floor will seem cumbersome and unnatural for now.

Upon completion of the renovation in early 2008, a sky-lit grand stairway and two additional elevators will serve as logical and primary points of access to the second floor.

Technology Center

Access to an expanded Technology Center, with 80 computers, will resume on the second floor upon completion of the renovation.

There are 30 public access computers at Madison Branch.

The Quiet Room, Study Rooms and Meeting Room

During the renovation period these spaces will serve temporarily as office and staff areas.

These spaces will be assigned for public use upon completion of the renovation.

Again, the final six months of this phased project will be a period of improvements, limitations and transitions. I apologize for any inconvenience. Your continuing patience and support are appreciated.

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

Thanks Ken, that helps explain alot.

Here's a few suggestions I have during this period. Maybe some of these have been addressed since I was there on opening day...

• Provide printed maps at each entrance. To be honest, I felt a little lost on where things were when I was there
• Add some temporary signs to help people find things like the stairs, elevators, etc. Maybe I was just blind but I had to ask a librarian where to return materials to which ended up being an little alcove room in slot in the wall. I never would have found it without their help, a sign would have been helpful

To be honest, my biggest gripe with the library at the moment is really a lack of understanding where anything is and how to find it. Otherwise it's a beautiful facility and I"m excited to see it completed.

But as you said, until it's completed, it's not going to make logical sense to most people. For example it would never have occurred to me to go look in a back corner in the middle of some shelves to get to the stairs to go up . I actually had to ask someone. A map and some temporary signs would go a long way to help during this awkward phase.

Bryan Schwegler wrote: Provide printed maps at each entrance. To be honest, I felt a little lost on where things were when I was there

I agree. Maps would be a huge help.

Thank you for the input.

Maps and temporary signs are in production.

The maps will also be included in the program mailer sent to all residents in late August.

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

Kenneth Warren wrote:Thank you for the input.

Maps and temporary signs are in production.

The maps will also be included in the program mailer sent to all residents in late August.

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

Outstanding to hear Ken. I think those things will definitely help during the transition phase and make it a little smoother for all.

We visited the new library for the first time today.

I echo the suggestions about pathfinding. The poor librarian was spending all of her time pointing out where to find different things and she was quite helpful, but she could have been doing other things if signs would have been available. The sides of the book shelves are elegant - but will they have information on them regarding the books that are down that isle? I know this is temporary at this point - but there seemed to be place on the sides for signage.

One thing that I didn't hear mentioned was the lighting - it is incredible. I loved it and I especially loved the "blue lighted windows at the top. They were amazing.

The woman's bathroom was spectacular as well. I loved the white and black decor.

The color and the molding were more spectacular than in the pictures.

You may want to see how the carpet is holding up before you put it into the new building, particularily with children. I love light carpet but this is a high traffic area and I was already seeing some dirt. I loved the places to sit and study or just sit and read. The furniture was gorgeous. But I did see some seniors having trouble pulling out the heavy wooden chairs against the carpet and talking about the weight of the chairs. This may be something to consider in the addition.

I have seen comments about the noise - that didn't bother me at all.

I have also heard comments about the "wasted space". I liked the feeling of space - but I wondered if in some of this "wasted space" art was going? or something else. (A map of the building?)

Thanks for such a spectacular addition to Lakewood - it looks like the staff is working hard to get everything back in place.

Lynn:

The entry hallway will serve as a Community Gallery, with a focus on Lakewood Photographic art. Plans call for a sculpture of considerable scale to serve as a kind of greeter in the atrium.

Details on floor mats and signage are still in process.

Thank you for the feedback.

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

I echo everyone else's sentiments about the need for signage and wayfinding ... we had a tough time finding the way to get upstairs! But overall, it's a beautiful building, and it really has the feel of a grand civic building, which you don't often see anymore. Nowadays some libraries have buildings more akin to a group dental practice, with an interior like the nearest Borders or Barnes and Noble ... but this new library really harkens back to the era when a library was a civic temple, dedicated to knowledge. When you walk in, you feel as though you're in an important space, where important things happen. It's great!

Here is a map of locations in the new library.

http://www.lkwdpl.org/about/newbuilding/Library_Map.pdf

Copies are also available at the circulation desk.

Again, the map will also be published in the program mailer sent to all Lakewood residents.

Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate your patience and support.

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

Kenneth Warren wrote:Here is a map of locations in the new library.

http://www.lkwdpl.org/about/newbuilding/Library_Map.pdf

Copies are also available at the circulation desk.

Again, the map will also be published in the program mailer sent to all Lakewood residents.

Thank you for your feedback. I appreciate your patience and support.

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

Thanks for the map Ken, that's exactly what I needed! When I went into the library today, it was so much easier to find what I was looking for.

Is the wi-fi set up in the Main Library?

Let the Wardriving begin!

Yes, WIFI is available.

People are especially enjoying the Grand Reading Room for WIFI.

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

Kenneth Warren wrote:Yes, WIFI is available.

People are especially enjoying the Grand Reading Room for WIFI.

Kenneth Warren
Director
Lakewood Public Library

Yep, I was there in the Grand Reading Room on Sunday working on my homework, WiFi worked perfectly.

I'm glad the WiFi is up and running.

The cubicles with power and wired LAN connections is definitely a nice touch!