design showcase Archives | American Libraries Magazine

Sitting area with fireplace in Brown County Library, East branch.

Submissions Open for Library Design Showcase

January 2, 2025

We are looking for examples of innovative library architecture that address patrons’ needs in unique and effective ways. We are especially interested in submissions from libraries that are approaching design with sustainability, accessibility, and smaller budgets in mind. Partial renovations, projects under $1 million, and school libraries are encouraged to apply. To be eligible, projects … Continue reading Submissions Open for Library Design Showcase →

2024 Library Design Showcase

By Phil Morehart | September 3, 2024

From Brutal to beautiful Toronto Public Library, York Woods branch The York Woods renovation and addition retains the original 1970 brutalist library and connected theater while enhancing them with a new 2,000-square-foot glass entrance pavilion, topped with a timber roof to create a welcoming entryway. The interior retains the original structure but now incorporates exposed … Continue reading 2024 Library Design Showcase →

Middle Country Public Library in Centereach, New York

Show Us Your Beautiful New Library

January 2, 2024

We are looking for examples of innovative library architecture that address patrons’ needs in unique, interesting, and effective ways. We are also interested in submissions from libraries that are approaching design with sustainability, accessibility, and smaller budgets in mind. If your library is on the cutting edge, we want our readers to know. To be … Continue reading Show Us Your Beautiful New Library →

2023 Library Design Showcase

By Sallyann Price | September 1, 2023

Living History Cincinnati and Hamilton County (Ohio) Public Library, Walnut Hills branch The oldest branch in its system and the first of several of Cincinnati’s Carnegie libraries, Walnut Hills recently underwent its first significant improvements since its construction in 1906. The branch is now fully accessible. The architects preserved its French Renaissance–style details—red brick, a … Continue reading 2023 Library Design Showcase →

2023 ALA/AIA Library Building Awards

September 1, 2023 The following libraries are winners of the 2023 Library Building Awards, sponsored by Core: Leadership, Infrastructure, Futures (a division of the American Library Association) and the American Institute of Architects. The awards, recognizing the best in library architecture and design, are open to any architect licensed in the US. Projects may be located anywhere in … Continue reading →

A Welcoming Space

By Emily Drabinski | September 1, 2023

Whether it’s marveling at the dome inside Carnegie-Stout Public Library in Dubuque, Iowa, the vibrant entrepreneurship lab at University of Rhode Island in Kingston, or the bright carpets and colorful student art at P.S. 28 in Manhattan, those first few moments through the door always call home the magic that happens inside our buildings. We … Continue reading A Welcoming Space →

Photo of Fulton County (Georgia) Library System's Central Library in Atlanta

2022 Library Design Showcase

By Sallyann Price | September 1, 2022

Environmentally sound Fulton County (Ga.) Library System, Central Library in Atlanta The interior design of the renovated downtown Central Library prioritizes accessibility, flexibility, and transparency, with large windows, multipurpose collaboration spaces, and a two-story atrium wrapping around a central staircase. The building, which is LEED Gold–certified, also emphasizes sustainability. By renovating instead of building entirely … Continue reading 2022 Library Design Showcase →

2022 Library Design Showcase call for submissions

Show Us Your Beautiful New Library

April 7, 2022

We are looking for examples of innovative library architecture that address patrons’ needs in unique, interesting, and effective ways. We are also interested in submissions from libraries that are responding to the pandemic through building design and renovation. If your library is on the cutting edge, we want our readers to know. To be eligible, … Continue reading Show Us Your Beautiful New Library →

Call Number with American Libraries, Episode 66 - Library Architecture and Design: The Past Meets the Future

Call Number Podcast: Library Architecture and Design

September 21, 2021

First, American Libraries Senior Editor and Call Number host Phil Morehart speaks with Heather Hart, manager of Salt Lake City Public Library’s Sprague branch, about renovations that were made to the 93-year-old, English Tudor–style library after a flood destroyed much of the building in 2017. Next, Morehart talks with Sean Ngo from architecture firm DLR … Continue reading Call Number Podcast: Library Architecture and Design →

2021 Library Design Showcase

By Phil Morehart | September 1, 2021

Higher learning D. H. Hill Jr. Library at North Carolina State University in Raleigh Lord Aeck Sargent transformed D. H. Hill Jr. Library into an open, light-filled facility with an eye on the future. The removal of stacks on the second and third floors created new areas for study, academic support, and technology immersion. In … Continue reading 2021 Library Design Showcase →

The Library Learning Center at Texas Southern University in Houston

Show Us Your Beautiful New Library

January 4, 2021

We are looking for examples of innovative library architecture that address patrons’ needs in unique, interesting, and effective ways. In this unprecedented year, we are also interested in submissions from libraries that are responding to the pandemic through building design and renovation. If your library is on the cutting edge, we want our readers to … Continue reading Show Us Your Beautiful New Library →

Library Learning Center at Texas Southern University in Houston. Photo: Kayla Hartzog

2020 Library Design Showcase

By Phil Morehart | September 1, 2020 Welcome to the 2020 Library Design Showcase, American Libraries’ annual celebration of new and renovated libraries. These shining examples of architectural innovation—completed before the COVID-19 pandemic—address user needs in unique, interesting, and effective ways. As with past showcases, renovations and expansions dominate submissions, as communities find novel ways to conserve and honor existing spaces while … Continue reading →

Latest Library Links

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“Disability Pride Month is a time to honor the history, achievements, and diverse experiences of people with disabilities. This curated collection features fiction and nonfiction titles for all ages that explore disability through the lens of pride, empowerment, and identity. Highlighting both visible and invisible disabilities, these stories reflect the richness and resilience of the disability community and the ongoing movement for inclusion and equal rights. Explore the display and celebrate the voices that challenge stigma, expand understanding, and inspire change.”

Baltimore County Public Library, July 1
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Heidi Blackburn, Chris Magee, and Trevor Watkins write: “George Mason University Libraries launched a yearlong Artificial Intelligence (AI) Community of Practice for library employees in fall 2024, focused on the use of specific AI tools for work and research best practices. We didn’t just explore what AI could do—we also asked what it should do, and how to use it responsibly in service to our patrons and profession. After participant feedback, the community was modified to focus on task-based themes. Prior experience with communities of practice made the creation of yet another community easier, but not without challenges.”

Choice 360: LibTech Insights, July 7
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Kelly Jensen writes: “After the Supreme Court ruled on Mahmoud v. Taylor on June 27, there were so many bad and misinformed takes. Is this a case that is going to be used to justify a lot more censorship, quiet and loud, and create a chilling effect in public schools? Absolutely. But we don’t need to bow to this case. ‘I’m scared’ and ‘What does this mean?’ Those responses are ones that are far more productive in the fight. There’s room to have legitimate feelings and room to talk about the next steps.”

Well Sourced, July 5
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Katie Burkholder writes: “After 15 years of working at the Pierce County Public Library in Blackshear, Georgia, where she advanced from part-time clerk to branch manager, Lavonnia Moore was unexpectedly and abruptly fired due to a display featuring a trans-inclusive children’s book. The patron-led display aligned with Georgia’s summer reading theme, ‘Color Our World.’ When a child at the library asked her to include the book When Aidan Became a Brother, she didn’t hesitate. Unbeknownst to Moore until her termination, this decision inspired an online hate campaign from the Alliance for Faith and Family.”

Rough Draft Atlanta, July 5
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Jennie Langberg writes: “When I started as a school librarian, I inherited a wonderful group of student volunteers: the Library Squad. The previous librarian sent me the names of her seven most trusted volunteers to help with shelving, bulletin boards, and a variety of library projects. Eager to offer volunteer opportunities to more students, I promoted Library Squad during English class orientations and was met with overwhelming interest. I learned a great deal about running a volunteer program from this experience and want to share the highs and lows with you.”

The Library Lab, June 29
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Katherine Gregory writes: “Mississippi State University, where I work as an assistant professor and director of the Mississippi Political Collections, is part of a national network of universities that hold and steward congressional papers. But support for this stewardship is in jeopardy. With the White House’s proposed elimination of independent granting agencies such as the National Endowment for the Humanities and the Institute of Museum and Library Services, it is unclear what money will be available for this work in the future.”

The Conversation, June 30
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Steve Tetrault writes: “In February 2024, I shared about the reintroduction of a physical library space into my middle school after five years without one. This past school year was the first September since 2018 that my middle school had a physical library space. That space came a longway in a year! In our first year of operation, our new library space increased circulation by more than 50%. It is incredible what a difference having physical access to books makes.”

Knowledge Quest, July 8; Feb. 8, 2024

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