Cleveland Park Library

Cleveland Park Library

May 13 Community Meeting

Summary of Breakout Sessions

What should be the character of the new Cleveland Park Library?

Exterior Character:

Fit with historic character of the 1920s residential neighborhood of Cleveland Park (CP)—looking at the building materials & style (cornices, etc.) and paint colors
Like bungalow style found in the neighborhood (period from 1920 to 1950)
21st Century building; do not mimic 1910s architecture
View to the park and natural landscape; reflect the quietness of the park (benches in back instead of on noisy Connecticut Ave.)
A signature building – the civic building in CP
Welcoming, inviting, warm, non-metallic look
Balance function with design
Lots of natural light but not with windows that go to the ground & floor like at Tenley (TEN)
Solar panels
Most important civic building in CP (perhaps only) so it should be significant
Good landscaping
All community members at the breakout session requested that the AE team avoid architectural novelty features such as the building envelope / façade at the Tenley-Friendship library.
Most community members requested that the AE team develop distinct elevations that relate to the surrounding neighborhoods for the new library and avoid having a backside of the building.
A community member noted that “Quaker thinking” with respect to community service should be considered while developing programming and architectural character of the new library.
A community member stated that the building exterior should reflect the “intellectual horsepower” of the Cleveland Park neighborhood.
Most community members would like the AE team to incorporate classical elements such as columns/pillars and porches that relate to the historic Cleveland Park neighborhood.
Massing / Scale:Most community members expressed an interest in retaining the residential feel and scale of the existing library.
All community members would like to have a roof terrace as part of the new library.

Interior Character:

Quiet spaces; circulation pattern.Noisy at the front and quieter in the back
Like the big wood tables (several people said this)
Like Check Out Desk and Children’s near entrance
Human scale; intimacy
Kids love the old wood tables (no plastic!) and nooks & crannies
Place for strollers
Good sight lines
Generous vestibule – area for orientation and transition from Connecticut Ave
Like the cozy, comfortable chairs of the current magazine area but in a quieter place in new CPK
Wood, leather, natural colors (not brown but not shocking green or other bright neon colors) – plastic chairs OK for meeting room (mentioned several times)
Plants in the building
Historic CP photos
Classy & classic
Like stack lighting at TEN
Stacks with slanted bottom shelves so easier to see what is on the bottom shelf
Like look of Montgomery County Noyes Children’s Library (historic, over 100 years old, was a subscription library)
Gas fireplace
Comfortable
Hierarchy of spaces – welcoming, obvious spaces, primary spaces
Circulation spaces designed to mitigate noise – good acoustics
Good acoustics
Restrooms that feel safe (not apart from the library where user can feel isolated and vulnerable)
A few community members noted that they prefer meeting rooms to be similar in character to the ones at Sidwell Friends School.
Most community members would like to have a cozy interior with wood paneling, stacks and furniture in the new library.
A community member noted that the location of the circulation desk is critical and it needs to address security and monitoring of stacks.
A few community members would like DCPL to retain some of the historic wood furniture in the existing library.
Most community members would like to have a cozy periodical area with ample soft seating.
Materials: Most community members would like to retain the light/buffed yellow brick facade to preserve the character of the existing library. A few community members would like the AE team to incorporate subtle Art Deco elements such as Neon signs or metal panels as part of the building exterior.
Most community members noted that wood shelving along walls is preferred.
Most community members would like to have low maintenance/durable finishes and furniture in the new library.
Light-filled
Comfortable – physically and aesthetically. Not industrial looking.
Inviting
Large space for children
Exterior should not mimic existing building. Make it more inviting (like the Shaw Library)
Open space in the center, books surrounding
Operable windows
Warm interior: wood instead of steel finishes
Discrete spaces, perhaps delineated by low bookshelves
Public exterior spaces
Maintain landscaping well
Very accessible meeting room
More, and more types of, meeting rooms
Consider looking to red brick buildings for inspiration
Look to fire house for inspiration
Look to limestone facades for inspiration
Indoor plants
Art
Lots of interior color
Prefer the elevator doors have some transparency
No [ugly] fences on the site
No [harsh] fluorescent lights
Retain the “library” feel
Ensure great acoustics throughout

What should be offered in the new library?

Good response to getting books (satisfied with it at current library too)
Reference books
Places to read – rooftop terrace (outdoor)
More generous area for computers
Tables with power for customers to plug into
Balance between open tables and carrels for more privacy
Larger auditorium for public meetings
Large area for children’s programs (not small program room); divisible if possible so can be small or large & so children will not be turned away because of space
Area for films
Coffee shop like Barnes & Noble
Don’t allocate space for coffee shop; can buy coffee in the area
Pleased with services offered now
Children’s room
Children’s restrooms by children’s area
Teen area – not part of the children’s room
Laptops, notebooks, etc. available for customers to take to tables & chairs to use while at the library
Most community members would like to have a children’s story room, library area and star program room in the new library.
Most community members would like to have a general meeting space with better acoustics in the new library.
A few community members requested the AE team to provide a multipurpose meeting space with partitions to host concurrent events.
A few community members noted that they need more shelving than the existing shelving in the library.
A few community members requested augmented collections with diverse offerings such as jazz, drama and non-fiction.
Most community members would like to have private study rooms that can accommodate 2-4 people for independent study and collaboration.
Several people stressed that the new library should be deferential to the single family residential fabric which lies directly behind and to the west of the site. General consensus was that Cleveland Park has smaller scale character, it is a residential community.
One individual questioned validity of Art Deco and challenged the idea that the Kennedy Warren is part of Cleveland Park proper.
Majority of group agreed that the new space should be intimate & welcoming and not be cavernous or echoic.
All agreed that natural light would be a very positive feature.
Many liked the idea of a view shed to the park and had a positive reaction to a connection to greenspace both out and inside the project.
One person mentioned that DDOT had studied removing the service lane on the east side of Connecticut Ave. This would have created an especially wide sidewalk with room for outdoor café seating. He requested that we give thought to the public realm and sidewalk with a focus on creating the anchor point or seed for an urban sidewalk or plaza along the west side of Conn. Ave. with the Library project.
People loved the wood furniture and asked if keeping current furniture was possible. Words like wood, soft, and rounded were used to describe spaces.
“Penetrate into the depths” The idea of discovery was shared by many. The idea of a Library as a quiet place of discovery was well liked. Someone used the work “cloister.” The group also agreed that the Library was a place to discover and meet other people and that the whole library didn’t need to be quiet, that it was important to have areas of activity and areas of quiet. Someone mentioned the idea of an inner sanctum as a space of utmost quiet and reflection.
Most people liked the idea of low lighting levels in the reading room with individual task lights. Someone mentioned lights with green banker’s shades. The area should be easy to see and find and be spacious.
No wheels on chairs!
One individual reminded us that the Library is in an Historic District.
Many in group would like to see stairwells, atria or two-story spaces isolated or designed in a way to isolate spaces and sound. Everyone appreciated opportunities for light and air and some people mentioned opportunities for sustainable design strategies that could be used (heat chimney). Primary concern is sound.
One person highlighted the history of materiality in the neighborhood. Many buildings use granite from a local quarry. Asked if we could use same material.
Someone mentioned the Bethesda Library as a place they liked. “Old Fashioned”
Outdoor space was universally well received. The idea of benches, tables, and a plaza were all mentioned. Everyone liked the idea of a roof deck and someone suggested a poetry garden.
Some people thought 400sf was too small a space for story time space. It was generally agreed that a greater number of larger spaces with flexibility would be preferential to having a dedicated story time space.
Some people felt having 3D printing was unnecessary as it existed at MLK. Others asked for it to be accommodated in the future if omitted from current program.
Most would like to see an area for stroller parking at story time hours.
Quiet bathrooms, adjacency to other programs is important. Currently you can hear flush in meeting room. Separate bathrooms for kids would be nice.
Usable, modern bike racks.
Bottom shelving tilted up for ease of use and access.
20-inch deep shelves for children’s collection instead of carts.
More e-book titles.
More task lighting, warm tones, standing lamps.
Continue to provide service for homeless patrons, perhaps a protected outdoor space for belongings (shopping carts).
Hand sanitizer or wipes at computers.
Policy guidelines for Library use clearly posted and enforced.
Segregated (but not isolated) children’s area
Stroller parking
Family bathroom in children’s area
Books are still important – easily browsable stacks
Quiet reading rooms
Better sight lines
Keep public desktop computers and add spaces for people bringing their own laptops
If a teen space, make it inviting to teens. Include a dedicated meeting space
Dynamic, specialized spaces for different groups
Larger children’s space
Possibly kitchenette
Café (rooftop?) – but be sensitive to surrounding neighborhood retailers
Friends space (1,000SF+)
Keep DVDs
More magazine space and broader selection
Charging stations for devices
Genius bar for digital help
Community bulletin boards
Ample shelf space for face-out display
Nice garden, outdoor seating
Keep long tables
Better book return interface
Kid-friendly furniture
Small reading areas
Non-toxic finishes and furniture materials
Book publishing capabilities
3-D printing capabilities
No computers in kids’ area
Better info desk
Clocks in meeting room that face the presenter

How will the new library be used?

Vending machine so can drink coffee & read
Users: children, people without computers, homeless, wifi, retirees, students, local civic groups
Meeting space for local interest clubs (garden clubs, yoga practice, book clubs, Apple users group, etc.).
Provide showers and services for homeless, followed by comment/question: is this the role of the library
Meeting spaces of different sizes for different groups
Meeting rooms that can be used after hours (need separate exit and access to restrooms)—mentioned several times
A few community members noted that computers are over used in the existing library and they need more browsing stations.
A few community members noted that open shelving are required for patrons to display or share their personal collections.
Most community members noted that the IT/AV system in the conference room needs to be updated to host more guest lectures, movie nights and presentations.
A community member noted that a self-check kiosk with a browsing station that allows users to check availability of books is required near the circulation desk.
Most community members noted that more signage/way finding is required in the new library.
A few community members noted that teens/youth don’t use the meeting spaces due to limited programs/offerings. More youth programs are to be offered by DCPL.
Most community members stated that seniors use computers and the reading area extensively.
A few community members noted that the existing library had a reference collection that was closed many years ago. The community members stated that the reference collection should be included in the new library.
Most people would like to see the newest items up front.
Everyone wants to see and have easier access to librarians. Would like to see librarians from the entry.
Most people in the group agreed that the Library should accommodate different modes of discovery.
Would like to see more public statistics on collections. Having a digital interface to see what is on display and “amazon-like” digital browsing system to check out books online.
Group really liked the idea of having classes for technology both future and current taught by members of the community. Someone suggested teens could teach classes.
Group learning and collaboration zones were a popular idea. Technology should be present to allow interaction, maybe laptop screen sharing setup, smart boards, ability to go online, large central screen.
Enclosed small spaces for classes.
Everyone wants more study rooms.
Someone asked about offering laptops and reducing the number of fixed computer stations. In particular, they dislike the feel of desktop computers in the library and would like to see fewer of them. Feel like they interfere with the character of the library. Felt a more mobile style for technology offers more flexibility.
One person asked for automatic doors (like the library currently has) rather than handicap accessible buttons at main doors
Community bulletin space was important to the group.
Would like to see books from the entry.
Some members of the group considered accommodation for parking for elderly patrons and mothers with young children to be very important.
Several people agreed that Teen space was missing today and that staggered access at other libraries tended to make teens feel unwelcome. They would like to see a more welcoming and perhaps dedicated space for teens. Others in groups were concerned about how accommodating teens would impact current use patterns at the Library.
Most of the group responded positively to the idea of dedicated Children’s space. Ideas included a craft/activity space, story time space, dedicated collections, and the engagement with librarians was stressed as an important component of Children’s program.
The group likes the Friends’ Book Sales, would like to see dedicated space for the Friends.
Someone asked for active program out in open spaces. Mentioned these programs as opportunity for interaction and found conversations. Activity should exist in common spaces as those types of interactions help to build community.
Flexibility of use in spaces is very important. Group stressed that whatever amount of space that is made available they need more. Having a large meeting room that separates into two meeting rooms was received very positively. Everyone agreed that meeting space(s) are a central and vital function for the community.
Someone asked how much space could be developed below grade and encouraged us to consider the growth of the community in the future as it lies at a metro stop could be considerable. Make as much of the Library usable by the public as is possible.
The group had a short discussion of the split personality of the program being either Community Center or Library and the merits of both. It was stressed that the library is the sole meeting space in the community. Meeting spaces need to be flexible. Part of the group strongly suggested that Cleveland Park is a different Library which doesn’t need to replicate all the same programmatic components present elsewhere in the system and asked if DCPL had considered specialized libraries. Group jumped on this idea and suggested science libraries, tech libraries, performing arts libraries.
It was generally agreed that access to meeting spaces outside of operating hours of the Library would be great.
Meeting rooms need to be seen so others can be made aware of groups and clubs that are active in the community.
The group was interested in having the Library find ways to connect to other primary organizations within the community (Zoo, etc.).
More interaction with shelves. Maybe standing study areas located in our around shelving to accommodate note taking or laptops.
The building design should be sustainable. Opportunity to teach should be used when possible. Example of the Pompidou Center, the idea of building that shows its systems and how it works. Library should teach about sustainable building strategies.
As a meeting space
By nannies
For tutoring
For computer useage
For research / writing
For crafts, games for children
For book club meetings
For exhibits
For checking out books
As a place to read
For children’s story times
For film screenings
As a place for individuals and groups to do work
For concerts
For people to enjoy outdoor public spaces
As a place to buy books