Project
Library Design Experience
For over 55 years, Finegold Alexander has developed a deep expertise in designing successful libraries. We bring an innovative approach to library design, with experience designing for public, private, and academic libraries. We will establish clear channels of communication with you and your community, balancing budget with design excellence.
Our library team understands the importance of community-building, accessibility, and sustainability in libraries. We work closely with residents, staff, and all stakeholders in each library project to determine the best path forward. We will ensure and demonstrate in the design plans that your library will be flexible and adaptable to future changes.
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Sustainability
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“Our focus has always been giving our residents the best possible library, and we have done that. And I never get tired of hearing how happy our residents are with their new library.”
-Tom Viti, Former Library Director, Westwood Public Library
Library Design Approach
Collaboration and communication with the client
Our design for libraries develops, not by predetermination, but from first listening to and hearing the goals of our clients. Our listening sessions uncover the core goals, and we encourage lively exchange of ideas and opinions on programming and design that align with clients’ strategic plans. In the conceptual design phase, our goal is to help clients understand what is of value, so we can provide information for decision-making that balances the goal of design excellence within the parameter of budget and schedule.
Right Sizing Your Library Design
Our design team has tackled all types of libraries in the Commonwealth and knows how to approach changes in the MBLC process compared to academic and private libraries, ensuring the facility is efficiently and logically designed for staff and patrons.
Accessibility and Ease of Use
Finegold Alexander’s future-forward library facilities address the full range of library services and evolving trends. Libraries play an important role in ensuring that everyone has access to information. We can design your facility to be welcoming, universally accessible, secure, logically organized, and easy to use from a patron’s point of view.
Understanding the cultural aspects of your community
Libraries are places for cultural exchange and education, and they need to be accessible for each of these communities. Our library designs reflect the diversity of each town or city, from different languages to age and levels of literacy.
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Dedicated spaces reflect community needs and the library’s mission. We use programming analysis diagrams to help us meet the current and future needs of the library, understanding the types of space needed and the square footage for each.
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Strategies for Library Planning
Integrating technology
People visit libraries for more than just books. Technology impacts space utilization and supports multiple ways for individuals to engage with their library.
Effective programming and layout flexibility
With new and varied configurations of all furnishings and adaptability of dedicated spaces, flexibility is the key ingredient of a successful library.
Embrace energy-efficient design
Whether new construction or renovation, library design can model ways for patrons to reduce energy consumption. We focus our attention on first-cost capital investment and projections for cost savings to achieve the highest level of sustainable design with the available budget.
Create community spaces
Public libraries serve as the heart of their communities now more than ever, with public meeting spaces, study rooms, and innovative activities geared to community outreach.
“Finegold Alexander have enabled us to achieve our goals for this project. We have preserved the dignity and integrity of our original historic library while creating an expanded facility that is contemporary, functional and welcoming. The Newburyport Public Library is now a wonderful learning and gathering place that will serve our City well for decades to come.”
-Dorothy LaFrance, Former Library Director, Newburyport Public Library
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