TW: Central library rebuild planning set to begin

[bacjz00]

By GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer
Published: 10/10/2011  2:22 AM
Last Modified: 10/10/2011  7:41 AM


Walking around Central Library, architect Jeffrey Scherer points to all the good things: the marble accents, proportional construction, second-floor mezzanine space and a unique quote wall spanning two stories in the atrium.


"This building has good bones," Scherer said. "It's a good, sound building and well-crafted."

The Minneapolis-based architect is starting his journey to transform Tulsa's 50-year-old main library with an eye on the past.

"We will go back in time to understand the typology of the building," he said. "We want to make sure to capture the beautiful designs this building has to offer. We will trace back to how the building was originally conceived and be respectful of those innovations.

"When someone comes in, they want to feel connected to the past but directed to the future."

Scherer, of the firm Meyer Scherer & Rockcastle, is considered among the best in library designers, with a hand in building or renovating more than 180 libraries over the past 30 years.

A native of Fort Smith, he is devoted to libraries and serves on a national architecture committee for public libraries.

"I'm not a librarian, but I'm very committed to the ... idea of what public libraries are in the U.S.," he said.

Tulsans have tussled about what to do with Central Library for more than a decade, including voting down a 2004 bond issue for a new library in a different location.

Discussion has focused on whether to relocate, how much to invest, what changes are needed and whether a downtown library is necessary.

With more than 400,000 visitors last year, Central is the second-busiest among the system's 25 branches. Only Hardesty, 8316 E. 93rd St., had more patrons.

Central houses an extensive research collection and is located in the heart of a burgeoning downtown revitalization effort.

"The fact that Tulsans are rethinking their Central Library and want their Central Library to be part of the rebirth of downtown is exciting," Scherer said.

Determining future entrances, street and alley traffic and paths to the nearby planned hotel and plaza will play into the design, Scherer said.

"We want the building to fit well in the landscape changes in the urban landscape," he said. "We want it to be connected to what is around it. It needs to be more transparent so people can see in the building."

Homeless patrons have been among the visitors to Central, with three shelters located within walking distance. This has caused some concern with Tulsans.

Scherer said all cities have homeless patrons visiting libraries. He said it has been an unexplored issue in library design, but he is working on a project with the American Library Association to develop guidance.

Scherer has worked with libraries to include a section for social workers to connect people to local services and add cubbies to store bags of limited size.

"You can't design away a social issue no matter how good the design," Scherer said. "If Tulsans want to find a solution, as a caring and giving city, they will find a solution."

One of the biggest and most costly transformations will be in the mechanical systems.

Several studies in the past decade have found systems such as lighting, electrical and venting to be shot or at least inadequate by modern standards. For example, the windows are basic quarter-inch glass and provide no insulation.

Four to five different energy-saving systems are being considered.

Scherer said libraries built from the early 1900s through the 1970s did not change much, but the digital age has rushed in a need for libraries to evolve, which includes design.

"There is more active participation between the library and customer than ever before," he said. "Information is coming through the libraries, whereas before information started in libraries."

Scherer sees potential in the building - bringing in more natural light, changing entrance points, adding more openness and developing areas for congregating and solitary work.

He won't commit to anything this early and won't point to what could arguably be ugly aspects.

"We want a building that will allow staff to make changes quickly and easily without a lot of fuss or expense," he said.

The commission approved spending $12 million from its capital fund for the project. What exactly that will buy is uncertain.

Scherer said the planning stages will validate costs for mechanical system upgrades.

Several plans will be presented to the commission, including what can be designed for the current amount allocated and for higher budgets.

"As we unfold possible plans, patrons will get excited and hopeful about the building and see if more funding is needed," Scherer said. "If not, they will understand why. We'll give choices. The goal is to have a building as if it were a new building."
________________________________________

Central Library renovation calendar
Public meetings: 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. Oct. 25 and 5:30-7 p.m. Oct. 26, Aaronson Auditorium, Central Library

Pre-concept: Through January. Involves getting input, conducting an inventory, analyzing the budget, reviewing the collection management, understanding all aspects of the building and gathering information on plans about properties surrounding the library.

Design development: January through April 2012. Will come up with different plans for the community to consider. Plans will include different budgets, starting with the existing $12 million from the capital fund.

Construction documents: May to August, 2012. Legal process for completing renovation.

Construction begins: Fall 2012

Grand re-opening: Fall 2013
________________________________________

Jeffrey SchererPrincipal architect of the Minneapolis-based firm of Meyer, Scherer and Rockcastle
•   Fellow of the American Institute of Architects
•   Member of the Architecture for Public Libraries Committee of the Library Administration and Management Association/Buildings and Equipment Section
•   Former chairman of Libraries for the Future, a national library advocacy group
•   Featured speaker on several occasions at the International Federation of Library Association on library design, master planning and sustainability
•   Former design leader on an Urban Outfitters headquarters in the Philadelphia Navy Yard, which won a National AIA Honor Award, Urban Land Institute Global Award for Excellence and a National Trust for Historic Preservation Honor Award
•   Graduate of the University of Arkansas

Original Print Headline: Library redesign
________________________________________
Ginnie Graham 918-81-8376
ginnie.graham@tulsaworld.com 
By GINNIE GRAHAM World Staff Writer

Copyright 2011 World Publishing Co. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

[tulsa1603]

I've always liked the style and location of the Central Library, and I always get nervous when discussions about remodeling or building a new one come up.  Sounds like they've picked someone who will at least respect the building's character.

[jacobi]

When I was younger I really hated the style of the library.  It felt like austin powers meets planet of the apes.  It's grown on me a bit, though.

[TheArtist]

 We have got to start preserving and respecting these buildings from this era.  More and more people are beginning to see the uniquiness, and yes, even the rarity of this style of architecture.  From 50s mod to 70s Groovey enough time has passed that rather than looking old and out-dated, people are seeing how these buildings evoke those interesting, "retro", eras of our history.  I have enjoyed seeing buildings from these eras being cleanded up and even updated with some contemporary flair that respects the original intent.  When these buildings are fixed up, they can look just as fresh and contemporary as some of todays most cutting edge designs.  Look at what they have done with our airport as a for instance.  Those long, low, simple, clean lines adapted superbly to the contemporary design elements that have been added recently. 

[TheArtist]

When I was younger I really hated the style of the library.  It felt like austin powers meets planet of the apes.  It's grown on me a bit, though.

Austin powers meets planet of the apes, sounds like a funtastic compliment lol.

[bacjz00]

Personally, I'd like to see them create a grand entrance fronting Denver Ave.  When the original library was conceived, they created several small entrances, one of which was primary but facing the now outdated "Civic Center Plaza".   

Although I have to keep in mind that with the Aloft hotel going in, 5th Street is scheduled to be extended westward and will be accessible by cars (and so presumably cars would have access to parking from there). 

This will be an interesting project for sure. 

[Ronnie Lowe]

I was happy to hear that Central library is staying put.  Now I'll cross my fingers and hope that the renovation does not diminish the structure.  Often renovations look good for a decade or two.  Then the renovated elements stick out like a sore thumb.  It's the same phenomena associated with faked paintings.  That fake Picasso might fool the eye until the period when the fake was executed passes.  In other words each stylistic period has its own idea of what a Picasso looks like.  Anyway, in regards to architecture, that's why a restoration is preferable to a renovation.  It wears better.
 
Which brings me to another issue that bears on wear and tear.  It's maintenance.  Buildings are built to be maintained.  There is a whole industry built around maintenance.  It's called a reserve.  Meaning every year you save and put back money to cover planned maintenance of the building.  With maintenance, a building's life is unlimited.

Anyway, what's lacking in Tulsa is maintenance of our buildings.

Have you ever driven west from the east coast?  If you do you'll notice that as you travel west, the structures are noticeably less and less well maintained, until you get to Oklahoma and here you'll often find structures that have not been maintained at all.  Broken down old shack barn kind of things by the road.

For a people that like to think they know the value of a dollar, we are not good stewards of our buildings and that is not very prudent.  Not very Protestant of us.  You know, waste not want not.

So to make a long story short.  I'm happy the Central Library is going to stay put.  It's a lovely building.  Still, even after that hideous purple signage and the turkey sculpture was added by the last administration.  I hope the architect is true to the original design.

[jacobi]

Ronnie, well said.  VERY well said.  I spent a month in western MA this summer and I was struck by how many buildings date from the late 19th century (I'm thinking mostly of the giant old-style factories) that would have been demolished here.

[Hoss]

Ronnie, well said.  VERY well said.  I spent a month in western MA this summer and I was struck by how many buildings date from the late 19th century (I'm thinking mostly of the giant old-style factories) that would have been demolished here.

Keep in mind also that those old buildings in the Northeast had been there while the rest of civilization existed from the early 18th century.  Oklahoma is barely 150 years old, as far as being settled in a widespread manner goes.

[jacobi]

Keep in mind also that those old buildings in the Northeast had been there while the rest of civilization existed from the early 18th century.  Oklahoma is barely 150 years old, as far as being settled in a widespread manner goes.

I know .  Often I think "Just give us another 100 years!"  They managed to preserve alot though.  We tore down so much in our lust to accomodate the auto.  BTW most of the factory spaces that I saw in western mass were disused, although there were maintained.  We have a very VERY small selection of buildings from that time.  Look for brick buildings whose windows are arched with three rows of brick.  For example the red building across the street from el guapos (to the north).

[Townsend]

FB post of the Kansas City Library.



Followed with Unusual Architecture site:

[carltonplace]

Seems kitchy to me and def needs some windows.

I like the idea of incorporating outside light in our CL. I'm on the fence about poking in a "grand entrance" on Denver.

[Townsend]

Seems kitchy to me and def needs some windows.

I like the idea of incorporating outside light in our CL. I'm on the fence about poking in a "grand entrance" on Denver.

I thought it was pretty cool.

I'd be happy if someone took a power washer to our Soviet era looking soot covered buildings.

[carltonplace]

I thought it was pretty cool.

I'd be happy if someone took a power washer to our Soviet era looking soot covered buildings.

Some decent landscaping outside the building would be a huge change. It's hard to seperate the building from the bad installations in civic plaza that work against it rather than with it. Also, those new entrances are terrible and the building looks grimy.


Here is a picture that pre-dates the new entrances

[TheTed]

Whatever they end up with, it should be more accessible to pedestrians. It's downtown, where we want to foster pedestrian friendly design.

They currently close the upper level civic center plaza entrance after 5 and make you enter from the dingy parking garage. Fifth Street is the most pedestrian friendly street in the area. Patrons should be able to enter the library from that direction during all business hours without going underground.