Community engagement Reimagining the Durham County Main Library By Greg Peele
T
hey say you should never judge a book by its cover. But it is true that a tome with enticing artwork draws the eye and
attracts notice. The same is true for a library where those books are displayed. Many of today’s public libraries were built decades ago along utilitarian lines. They have room for books The role of public libraries within our community has evolved tremendously since then, and many of these older structures lack the functionality to support all of the programming their surrounding communities need. As a result, many library systems are planning renovations or replacement of older facilities to meet the current role of the public library as a catalyst for community and personal development with a range of services available to all members of the populace and the space to support those programs. The recently completed renovation of Main Library of Durham County Library in North Carolina is a model for this type of project. The existing building opened its doors in 1980 to serve the Durham community with books and public services. Over the next 37 years it gradually expanded its offerings to meet public needs and incorporate advances in technology. With the passage of time, the institution’s requirements began to outstrip the capacity of its concrete structure with its waffle slab dividing the library’s three floors. Its solid walls allowed very little natural light into library spaces and the enclosed central staircase blocked sight lines, making the interior seem darker and more confined. The design also left no room for the library collection and programming to grow.
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COMMERCIAL CONSTRUCTION & RENOVATION — ISSUE 4, 2021
Photography courtesy Mark Herboth Photography LLC.
and spaces for staff, but not much more.
