Tom Groves had an idea. He wanted to gather a collection of library cards from around the country for an art project. He emailed over 200 libraries across the country to see if they would be interested in sending him library cards.The final project would be determined by the amount of cards he received. "In the end, the number he got fit more or less perfectly on one of the coffee tables in the library," so that's what he did.He covered one of the existing coffee tables with the cards and then sealed them with a protective epoxy.This sign sits...
Big Box Heaven: An abandoned Wal-Mart becomes a Library
What's a town to do when Wal-Mart just picks up an leaves?How about turning the space into a library!This is exactly what the town of McAllen, Texas did, transforming 124,500 square feet (think 2 1/2 football fields) into the largest single-story library in the US.With the help of Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle, Ltd. the space was brought back to life. Gone are the guns and bargains; they have been replaced with books and computers.The International Interior Design Association just selected the Library as the winner of their 2012 Library Interior Design Competition.In the first month since the library opened new...
Checking in at The Library. A Hotel for Readers
Located on Koh Samui, Thailand's third largest island, The Library, is a beach resort committed to the book set. Their goal: "If you can finish one book while staying with us, we think this is more than an accomplishment [for] our team.The centerpiece of the hotel is "The LiB" a spacious, well lit library with views of the sea.If you still need more, the the pool is red and the beachfront restaurant is called The Page! Also sprinkled around the property are book themed sculptures like these: and where did the inspiration for this Disneyland for readers come from?From the Project...
How Green is Your Library?
No matter what steps your library is taking to become greener it will be hard to beat The Grove Library Project in Western Australia. The entire project, designed by architects Cox Howlett + Bailey Woodland, utilized environmentally sustainable design from soup to nuts. Features include:climate-sensitive building design (e.g. thermal maze, in ground heat exchange, double glazing and use of natural lighting);energy and water-efficient fixtures and fittings (e.g. dimmable lighting control and waterless urinals);rainwater harvesting;onsite treatment and reuse of wastewater;renewable energy (solar panels and wind turbine); and stormwater treatment."The aim is not only to generate water and energy savings, but also...