A popular browsing area is evolving into an important part of the library experience on the first floor of the Johnson Building. It had previously been referred to a “Space X” and the “living room.” The purpose of this space is to serve the reader, the lifelong learner, and the browser in a manner that the best bookstores have been so successful. It will be open and inviting, allowing easy flow between such spaces as the lobby, circulation services , and the other important services on the first floor such as Tech Central and the Training Lab.

Some key components to the successful deployment of this space include:

• Library services in the Johnson Building at a branch scale
• Engaging space with inviting street view
• Bookstore browsing experience
• New books on display, themed displays, popular collections
• New fiction and nonfiction, biographies, large print
• Open, engaging, strong merchandising component, continually refreshed
• Comfortable seating for reading and browsing
• Flexible space for author programming
• Staff and technology to engage readers with reading recommendations
• 3 – 4 public catalogs, 1 small staff workstation

Please let us know what you think about this evolving concept by commenting on this post, sending an email to compass@bpl.org,  a letter to the BPL via 700 Boylston Street, Boston MA 02116.

At this week’s (Tuesday, February 26) Community Advisory Committee meeting, community members gathered to explore options on how best to improve library services and space utilization of the Johnson Building at the Central Library in Copley Square. The building opened in 1972 and was designed by the late architect Philip Johnson.

Library President Amy E. Ryan reviewed the project goals and stated how important it was to have the community involved in helping the library explore options to make recommendations for the FY14 capital planning initiatives.

Architects William Rawn Associates led a discussion about Philip Johnson’s design principles highlighted by a series of quotes from the late architect. The principles, referred to as “Johnsonian Principles” are:

• procession: anticipation – sense of event from exterior
• procession: moment of arrival – coherent experience from front door
• procession: ascent – celebrated vertical circulation
• scale: respect and experimentation
• monumentality in the city – civic urban presence
• structure and rationality – structural clarity in planning

The architects described the structure of the Johnson Building and identified areas where the natural light was best. They also shared images of other interesting libraries from around the world and the community members discussed how the Johnson Building might have a better, more active relationship with Boylston Street.

Library staff reported on the types of services and functions that under consideration for each floor. Many of the ideas and suggestions came from previous Community Advisory Committee meetings as well as input from library staff members. Highlights included an updated lobby as well as a popular browsing area. (Editor’s note: both of these topics will be discussed further in future posts to this blog.)

Community members offered several suggestions and ideas for the project. Members discussed the attractiveness of a dedicated space for casual book discussion, reading recommendations, and small author talks. They also considered options for relocating the children’s and teen areas.

The meeting concluded with a brief enterprise discussion. Boston Public Library has engaged consultants to study the feasibility of commercial enterprise and the viability of a conference center within the library. Committee members emphasized the importance of identifying an enterprise opportunities that are compatible with the library mission. They also discussed maintaining a “porous” environment to integrate the enterprise with library services and to help energize the building. The next Community Advisory Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 13 at 8:30 a.m. The enterprise discussion will continue at that meeting.

The Community Advisory Committee (CAC) for the Johnson Building Improvement Project will meet on Tuesday, February 26, at 8:30 a.m. in the Boston Room of the Central Library in Copley Square, 700 Boylston Street.

Updated: Download the 2-26-2013 Johnson CAC agenda.

William Rawn Associates has been chosen to lead the master planning phase of the Johnson Building study. The contract allows for the option to continue through formal design and construction should the project get approved to go forward either in full or in part. As is noted in previous posts, planning and envisioning meetings are underway and will broaden in the coming weeks and months to gather input from many sources including staff and members of the public. The overall project team also includes:

• Byrne McKinney & Associates for market research on commercial viability of potential space, should the library decide to include such options in the final plan.
• Pinnacle Consulting, who is assisting Byrne McKinney & Associates, and will be focused on the commercial viability of day conference space, an idea that could include refurbishment of Rabb Lecture Hall and nearby rooms.
• Engineering consulting firm TMP, who are helping to assess the health of Johnson building systems and infrastructure along with the level of difficulty involved in any substantial renovations.

It will be the task of William Rawn Associates to incorporate all of the feedback and analysis into an integrated plan while working with BPL and the city’s Public Facilities Department to narrow the options based on project goals and the library’s mission. The next six months will involve a multi-track process to develop a master plan for those sections of the building in direct project scope and those that involve relocated services.

William Rawn Associates was chosen for their extensive architectural and design experience, knowledge with public library projects in Boston, and their processes around envisioning and stakeholder engagement. Some may recognize the firm as the group that designed the BPL’s Mattapan Branch as well as the new East Boston Branch currently under construction.

Send questions about the Johnson Building project to compass@bpl.org. You are also always welcome to comment directly on this blog or send a letter to the BPL via 700 Boylston Street, Boston MA 02116.