Since 2014, the Library Board sought a centrally located space within the district’s borders to accommodate a larger library to meet the current and future needs of the community. Specifically, the Board was looking for an adequately sized structure to support both a robust collection and community spaces, with ample parking available for patrons and staff. The selected property is located only a 6-minute walk from the existing library, with commercial properties to the east, and single family dwellings on its north and west sides.
Through close collaboration with the Library, H2M designed a new 11,000 square-foot building to replace the existing 4,400 square-foot library. The building exterior was designed to a traditional aesthetic, with a cultured stone water table and shingle siding. The design was intended to reflect the coastal design of the current building, as a nod to the community’s historical and emotional connection to the area’s roots.
New amenities include an expanded Children’s Room with a dedicated Program Space and toilet room, a new Teen Area with a dedicated Group Study Room, a Maker Space and Digital Lab, and multiple Study Rooms. A large Community Rooms can be divided to accommodate simultaneous programs, and is directly accessible from the exterior for after-hours events. A landscaped outdoor patio and reading garden will enhance the user experience and provide more opportunities for gathering.
