Special Features

This section of the Library Design Showcase highlights special architectural elements and unique works of art. They won’t be right for or available at every library—but they may be right for yours.

The “building within a building” in the Woonsocket (R.I.) Middle School at Villa Nova Library Media Center reflects the historic architecture of downtown with bracketed soffits, extended overhangs, and simulated roof lines. Colors were selected to be light and cheerful, while the circulation desk affords librarians a view of the entire library.

This section of the Library Design Showcase highlights special architectural elements and unique works of art. They won’t be right for or available at every library—but they may be right for yours.

Windsor-Severance Library offers drive-up service for patron convenience in cold Colorado winters or any other time of year.

Architect: Thorp Associates P.C.

Photo: Roger M. Thorp

This section of the Library Design Showcase highlights special architectural elements and unique works of art. They won’t be right for or available at every library—but they may be right for yours.

Known as the “witch’s hat”, the point-vaulted room branching off the children’s area at Townsend (Mass.) Public Library hosts storytimes and craft programming.

Architect: Johnson Roberts Associates

Photo: Peter Vanderwarker

This section of the Library Design Showcase highlights special architectural elements and unique works of art. They won’t be right for or available at every library—but they may be right for yours.

A floating staff area above the adult collection maximizes the amount of public space in the 9,230-square-foot expansion of the Bloor/Gladstone branch of Toronto Public Library. Staff privacy for the staff is provided by images of trees that cover the glass cube.

This section of the Library Design Showcase highlights special architectural elements and unique works of art. They won't be right for or available at every library--but they may be right for yours.

The renovation of the Reynolds Corners branch of Toledo-Lucas County (Ohio) Public Library converted an interior open-air courtyard into enclosed usable space, with a brick fountain as a focal point.

Architect: Buehrer Group Architecture & Engineering Inc.

This section of the Library Design Showcase highlights special architectural elements and unique works of art. They won’t be right for or available at every library—but they may be right for yours.

This section of the Library Design Showcase highlights special architectural elements and unique works of art. They won’t be right for or available at every library—but they may be right for yours.

At the Appaloosa branch of Scottsdale (Ariz.) Public Library, 93 woven-glass orbs created by artist Anna Skibska hang from the ceiling, resembling golden tumbleweeds.

This section of the Library Design Showcase highlights special architectural elements and unique works of art. They won’t be right for or available at every library—but they may be right for yours.

Artist Eric Powell created a 30-foot by 4-foot low-relief metal sculpture, “Ocean Currents”, mounted above the book shelves in the reading room of San Francisco Public Library’s new Ingleside branch.

This section of the Library Design Showcase highlights special architectural elements and unique works of art. They won’t be right for or available at every library—but they may be right for yours.

Handpainted and gold-leafed stencils on support pillars in the refurbished basement of the Bernal Heights branch of San Francisco Public Library echo the original 1940 ceiling patterns from the main floor.

This section of the Library Design Showcase highlights special architectural elements and unique works of art. They won’t be right for or available at every library—but they may be right for yours.

A signature architectural feature at Palm Beach County (Fla.) Library’s West Boca branch is the architectural tower with red barrel roofing. Clerestory windows provide exceptional natural lighting to the interior lobby

Architect: PGAL