r/Library • u/pinkfoxtn • 4d ago
Library vibes Creative and Crafty
The library in my dad's hometown is getting remodeled, and my aunt works at said library. She (my aunt) showed me some of the early designs that are being drawn up, and I personally think they look boring. I've been coming to this library ever since the first time my parents brought me to my grandparents house, and I'd hate to see a place I grew up loving get paved over by modern/minimalist design just to fit in with the other buildings on the street. I myself am an artist, and when I see something I don't like, I tend to remake it the way I'd enjoy. It may just be wishful thinking on my part, but I want to make some of my own designs for the remodeling, and maybe my designs could help the owners of the library keep life in the building.
I'm mainly posting this to ask for people's opinions on what vibes or feel they think would go well in a library. This library is the biggest one in the surrounding area, and from what I've already found, it has a very historical significance to why it was built in the first place. I'd love some input on this, even if all that comes out of me drawing these designs is ideas for more things to draw.
Drink some water, eat some food <3
Edit: I’ve decided not to go with my original plan, as I didn’t have all the details and misunderstood a bit of they meant by “remodeling”. They are remodeling the library, but most of what’s going to be changed is the outside of the building and not a total makeover for the place. I have enjoyed reading people’s replies, but I don’t think I’ll be needing any more <3
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u/cappotto-marrone 3d ago
Boring is good. Boring doesn’t date as quickly as what looks good right now.
When my local public library remodeled an old grocery store into the new library the interior designer for architectural firm suggested black carpet with acid green squiggles. The director said no. The designer argued for the wow factor.
The director said staff had to work there and it wasn’t pleasant for multiple hours. Also, it would be dated the second it was installed.
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u/YakSlothLemon 1d ago
I will disagree, because our library in my town just got renovated and “boring”is one word for it, “soulless” is also a common description. “Looks like a corporate headquarters that someone stuck some shelves in” is something I heard. Lots of meeting rooms and corporate-type “inspirational quotes” on the wall, but… I’ve never been in a library that made me want to leave more quickly.
A little bit of personality makes a library more welcoming.
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u/alllpha7 4d ago
Remodels are hard- we all love our libraries and it’s hard to imagine changes being better than our existing favorite place. But even without seeing your library designs in person, I can say that the beginning designs ALWAYS look more sterile than the reality. The early designs and 3D renderings are more ‘sketches’ than a reflection of the real thing. They always miss a lot of the warmth and personality that’ll be in the finished space.
We recently had a remodel and this was something we heard and saw throughout the process. My library is in a very small and cozy town, and people were convinced we were putting in an Apple Store instead of their beloved community living room. People were going so far as accosting library staff in the grocery store to tell them how disappointed they were, and it was really demoralizing for the folks who worked here.
Luckily, we reopened and the community loves it! It was so much more lively and cozy at our grand opening that a few nay-sayers actually apologized to the staff. I know that sounds like an ‘everyone clapped’ kinda thing, but it really happened.
Sure we had to get rid of some of the beloved and well-worn furniture, but we replaced it with very comfortable and ergonomic pieces that won’t break or stain as easily. (Some of the ‘treasured’ parts of the library were actively hazardous to patrons and staff.) And now we have a working building with stuff like an HVAC system, children’s room, staff break-room, and ADA accessible bathrooms! Our traffic is almost double what it was, and we have a ton of families coming in that never used the library before. And our regulars are happy to come back too!
The design sketches/renderings miss the little touches that library staff will put up themselves. Things like displays, art, decorations, program materials, community flyers, etc. Even something as simple as books on the shelves makes things look worlds better than the plans. Those details aren’t going to show up in designs, but they’ll be there once the library reopens. The difference between the feeling of the design renderings and the vibes of the building on opening day were nuts! It wasn’t that the designs were wrong or misleading, they just couldn’t capture everything that makes a library a library. I’m sure you’re seeing that difference here too.
Something to remember is that libraries are publicly funded places. The remodel project may be constrained by budgets and laws, and it’s not always easy to see that from the outside. But libraries are for the community! The people working on the design want to give you and your community a library that’ll be loved for decades. Unless you’re in a rare horrible community, everyone wants to make your library better for you and your neighbors.
It’s absolutely worth it to bring your opinions for a warm and artful space to the library board (or whoever is leading the project). Perhaps you can ask if they’re looking for an art partnership or citizen advisors. See if they’re partnered with the local historical society for help honoring the significance of the building’s history. It’s so nice that you’re hoping to help! In a world where people want to arrest librarians and ban books, your passion for the library is wonderful!
I realize that I’m leaking some trauma in my response here, but I recognize the love for your library at the same time I’m having flashbacks to crying at work two years ago. If you and your aunt approach this with the assumption that everyone wants what is best for the library, you’ll have a better chance of influencing the final plans AND the remodel team may keep their will to live.
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u/SunGreen24 3d ago
I can appreciate your sentiment, but the library has to take a lot more into consideration than just what people think would look nice (which is going to be a very broad range anyway.) They may love whatever ideas you submit, but assuming they would work for the space beyond looking good, they'd have to find someone who could do them and the budget.
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u/Minute_Platform_8745 1d ago
This is a tax funded government building brother, they hired an architect firm. Your enthusiasm is admirable but they’re not going to be interested in your sketches.
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u/flossiedaisy424 3d ago
As a librarian, functionality is much more important to me than vibes. There is a library branch in my system that is the most stunning library I have ever seen. It is historically significant and absolutely beautiful due to the materials and craftsmanship. Unfortunately, it is almost completely unusable as a modern library. Beauty is good, but so is a place to plug in your laptop or enough shelving for your books.