Scotland Public Library
Scotland Public Library’s architect made excellent use of a challenging site,
including the design of a nature walk with raised boardwalks through existing wetlands.
Photo: Jay Cassano Photography

Connecticut Excellence in Public Library Architecture Awards are presented every three years to encourage excellence in the architectural design and functional planning of public library buildings in the state. This year, a jury panel of librarians Karen Mellor and Douglas Pearce and architects Stephen Hale and Jay Litman, all from out of state, reviewed and evaluated 16 construction projects completed between 2001 and 2006.

Scotland Public Library The winner for public libraries of fewer than 18,000 sq. ft. is the Scotland Public Library, a new 7,000 sq. ft. building. Scotland is a small, rural New England town in the northeast corner of the state with a population of 1,699. The library’s architect is Angela D. Cahill of Schoenhardt Architecture + Interior Design. Local businessman Andrew D’Elia donated funds for the purchase of land and construction of the building, making the library a public/private partnership in the true Carnegie tradition. The building also contains a 1,000 sq. ft. museum featuring D’Elia’s collection of antique tools. The cost of this project, $1,688,709, represents good value for the community.

Jurors commented that the architect has made excellent use of a challenging site, including the design of a nature walk with raised boardwalks through existing wetlands. The interior layout, with clear sight lines, enables effective oversight of activities by a small staff. The building was designed with high quality, attractive finishes that will stand up to public use for many years to come. It has well-proportioned interior spaces with interesting detailing, such as tall casement windows, stained glass, and coffered ceilings. To supplement natural lighting, the architect employed thoughtful use of artificial lighting that is efficient and glare free. A mural in the children’s room adds color and vitality to the space. The design appears to be adaptable to the changing needs of the community and to future technological innovations. The covered drive-up book drop is convenient for patrons, especially in snowy or wet weather.

Wilton Library
Wilton Library’s main meeting room can be opened
into an outdoor courtyard to accommodate concerts.
Photo: Woodruff & Brown Photography and Paul Warchol

Jurors commented that the architect’s addition enhanced the design of the existing building while maintaining the clean elegance of its modern, Bauhaus-inspired style. Most of the exterior walls in public areas are glass, thereby providing a close connection to the outside and an abundance of light. The interior’s neutral color palette enhances the distribution of natural light. The building has two open-air courtyards where customers can read or use their laptops during good weather or look out to enjoy the beauty of falling snow in winter. The main meeting room is a beautiful and flexible space that expands into to an inspirational outdoor courtyard area. The design of this space to accommodate concerts is exquisite! The lighting, both artificial and natural, is well conceived and particularly attractive at night, when it creates a warm and welcoming oasis. The building design approaches a green standard through the use of natural light.

The overall design exceeds the stated objectives of the library’s long-range plan. The expanded library is adaptable to the changing needs of the community and to future technological innovations. The layout is customer and staff friendly because the majority of public services are on the first floor. The placement of the children’s library is convenient for parents and children while being acoustically separate from the rest of the library. Jurors also appreciated the inclusion of a full service drive-up window.

Fairfield Public Library Jurors awarded an honorable mention to Fairfield Public Library, where Herbert S. Newman of Herbert S. Newman and Partners P.C. Architect have created an attractive composition with new building elements complementing and enhancing older historic architecture with imaginatively designed modern elements. This is a complex design where architects faced many challenges, especially unifying multiple levels from several previous additions. The building has a variety of interesting and colorful spaces in a mix of styles. The new interior and casework elements are clean and well designed.

Michael Joyce, Argyle Design, Inc., designed an innovative children’s space that invites exploration, discovery, and learning. To make children feel welcome and secure, he divided the area into “neighborhoods” based on familiar landmarks in the Town of Fairfield: a gazebo, a lighthouse, a town green, a country store, a farmyard, a book shop, a train station, and a town hall.

Article by: Mary Louise Jensen. Mary Louise Jensen, Connecticut State Library building consultant, was the non-voting facilitator for the jury. The awards are sponsored by: CSL, CLA, ACLB, FOCL, and AIA/CT and will be presented during CLA’s Annual Conference in April. This article will also appear in the CSL’s CONNector and on webjunction.