Excerpted from Friend to Friend
Winter 2006

From the Building Committee: A Field Trip

Those of us who have been working on the committee have learned much from visiting other libraries. We would
like to invite you to share the experience through your own computer or one at the library.

One of a number of libraries in Rhode Island to deal with inadequate space through building or renovation,
Johnston Public Library has embarked on a building program. It was recently approved by the town. Information
is available on their website including architect’s vision, readable graphs of cost projections, and history.

See also Peter B. Lord's article in Providence Journal 8-24-05. “Carcieri moves state toward fuel efficiency” by
requiring that any new or renovated public building must meet the standards developed by the United States Green
Building Council. More on the standards and the thinking behind them is at http://www.usgbc.org/

At the national level, the Seattle Public Library in Washington is among those who have pioneered
implementation of LEED [Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design] standards. LEED serves as a national
benchmark maximizing operational efficiency while minimizing environmental impacts. Concern for cost-effective library
buildings is not new. Designed in 1983, before LEED standards, the Vail Public Library, Colorado unanimously won the
highest award possible from architects and librarians: the biennial A IA/ A LA for best design.
http://snowdonhopkins.com/Vail.html

For a 360 virtual tour of a library in a warmer climate, try the Tempe Public Library in Arizona. Or try Florida.
Largo FL's new public library was awarded the top prize from the Florida branch of the International Interior Design
Association. Ask at the library to see the December 2005 Annual Architectural Issue of Library Journal. ENJOY!