[Publib] Architecture AL Issue

[Mindy Kittay]

While I agree that in some cases the lack of consideration for the
environment and the value of the taxpayers dollar is apparent, there is also
the consideration of building something that is a joy to see and visit.
There are incredible buildings all over the world that have stood the test
of time and are national treasures - who is to say that our local library
should not be a treasure for our community.  While I may not be able to
afford to build an incredible home and furnish it with pleasing finishes and
furniture I am willing to pay for my local library to build something that
is outstanding.  I don't want my library to be just functional I want it to
be breathtaking and unusual and fabulous!

Mindy Kittay, MLS - My own views
Finance Director, Rangeview Library District

On Thu, May 7, 2009 at 10:16 AM, <ESHEARY at aol.com> wrote:

>  Amen to this Mr. Casey.  I have been involved in at least a dozen
> building projects in my time and I always thought the purpose was to deliver
> a comfortable and functional building that met people's needs at a
> reasonable cost to the taxpayer.
>
> Ed Sheary, Buncombe County NC Public Libraries
>
> n a message dated 5/7/2009 11:59:22 A.M. Eastern Daylight Time,
> jcasey at olpl.org writes:
>
> When I looked through the "Design and Construction Showcase" issue of AL my
> reaction is one of amazement mingled with outrage.  Is the objective of
> multi-million dollar expenditure of tax dollars on Library construction to
> achieve "architectural statements" with immensely high ceilings, huge glass
> walls, breathtaking vistas that "wow" the visitor, but are totally
> impractical to heat, cool, clean, illuminate, and capture the occasional
> bird that may get in.  I have always proceeded from the notion that "form
> should follow function" and not the other way around when it comes to
> construction planning. When architects are allowed to design this or that
> palace without reference to the stated service objectives of a practical,
> functioning library, the results are anything but flattering to our
> profession.  You might have huge expanses of overhead space that look
> fantastic in LJ or AL, but not enough floor space to accommodate the public
> or the collections.  Are patrons able to sit in a comfortable space near
> windows "bringing the book to the light" or does the natural light flood the
> interior with glare and heat at given times of the day?
>
> For me, the best photos of any service area are those depicting spaces
> filled with patrons.
>
> James B. Casey --- My own views
> Director of Oak Lawn Public Library
> ALA Council Member
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:
> publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Michael D. Logusz
> Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 10:20 AM
> To: publib at webjunction.org
> Subject: [Publib] RE: Requesting photos of children's areas
>
> RE: Requesting photos of children's areas
>
> American Libraries had a nice 58 page digital supplement back in April that
> was a photo-filled ‘Design and Construction Showcase’. If you save your AL
> emails it was sent April 10th. If not, try clicking:
> http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/5a2490e9#/5a2490e9/1. I’m not sure if
> you have to be an AL subscriber for it to work, but you can Google it and it
> comes up: this is the Spring 2009 supplement (not the Winter one). Anyway,
> it has photos of over 80 recent library construction projects, including
> some Children’s Areas.
>
> Hope this helps,
> Mike Logusz
>
>
> au6855 at wayne.edu
> mlogusz at Comcast.net
>
>
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-- 
Mindy Kittay
970-618-6291
"I have always imagined that Paradise will be a kind of library." Jorge Luis
Borges
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