[Publib] Architecture AL Issue

[backwage at aol.com]

I see you've been to Seattle.


Is the objective of 
ulti-million dollar expenditure of tax dollars on Library construction to 
chieve "architectural statements" with immensely high ceilings, huge glass 
alls, breathtaking vistas that "wow" the visitor, but are totally impractical 
o heat, cool, clean, illuminate, and capture the occasional bird that may get 
n. 




-----Original Message-----
From: James Casey <jcasey at olpl.org>
To: 'Michael D. Logusz' <au6855 at wayne.edu>; publib at webjunction.org <publib at webjunction.org>
Sent: Thu, 7 May 2009 8:52 am
Subject: [Publib] Architecture AL Issue



When I looked through the "Design and Construction Showcase" issue of AL my 
eaction is one of amazement mingled with outrage.  Is the objective of 
ulti-million dollar expenditure of tax dollars on Library construction to 
chieve "architectural statements" with immensely high ceilings, huge glass 
alls, breathtaking vistas that "wow" the visitor, but are totally impractical 
o heat, cool, clean, illuminate, and capture the occasional bird that may get 
n.  I have always proceeded from the notion that "form should follow function" 
nd not the other way around when it comes to construction planning. When 
rchitects are allowed to design this or that palace without reference to the 
tated service objectives of a practical, functioning library, the results are 
nything but flattering to our profession.  You might have huge expanses of 
verhead space that look fantastic in LJ or AL, but not enough floor space to 
ccommodate the=2
0public or the collections.  Are patrons able to sit in a 
omfortable space near windows "bringing the book to the light" or does the 
atural 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 
ith patrons. 
James B. Casey --- My own views
irector of Oak Lawn Public Library
LA Council Member

-----Original Message-----
rom: publib-bounces at webjunction.org [mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On 
ehalf Of Michael D. Logusz
ent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 10:20 AM
o: publib at webjunction.org
ubject: [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 
 photo-filled ‘Design and Construction Showcase’. If you save your AL emails it 
as sent April 10th. If not, try clicking: http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/5a2490e9#/5a2490e9/1. 
’m not sure if you have to be an AL subscriber for it to work, but you can 
oogle it and it comes up: this is the Spring 2009 supplement (not the Winter 
ne). Anyway, it has photos of over 80 recent library construction projects, 
ncluding some Children’s Areas.
Hope this helps,
ike Logusz

u6855 at wayne.edu
logusz at Comcast.net



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