O
n Monday, November 26, the Charlestown Branch of the Boston Public Library re-opened after a 5-month repair project. The majority of the work may not seem obvious at first glance, however users will notice that the temperature in the branch is greatly improved since the heating and cooling systems were completely updated. In addition, a new roof and windows were installed which will help with energy efficiency. New window treatments are also adding much needed protection from glare while still allowing a good amount of natural light to fill the space. The early literacy book nook in the children’s space is still a work-in-progress, however the flooring as been installed and furniture should be in place by the end of the year. The Library is happy to welcome everyone back to the branch – stop in and say “hi” if you get a chance!
Category Archives: Library Services
Charlestown Project Update
Posted on November 30th, 2012 by Christine Schonhart in Library Services, Major Projects
Tags: Charlestown
Johnson Building Improvement Project: Goals
Posted on November 30th, 2012 by Gina Perille in Johnson Building Study, Library Services, Major Projects
Tags: Back Bay, Children and Teens, Community Gathering, Copley Square, Sustainable Organization
The goals of this study and project are in line with BPL’s Compass principles of Community Gathering, Children & Teens, and Sustainable Organization. They include:
1. Enriched library services and user experience
- Improved user services through better access and adjacencies
- Collections thoughtfully presented and accessible to meet demand
- Expanded and improved youth services through reimagined children’s library and teen room
- Expanded engagement opportunities through new functional spaces such as a conference center, “living room,” and potential commercial-use space
2. Improved visitor first impression
- Improved exterior transparency and engagement, with clear paths and intuitive wayfinding
- Reinvigorated entrance and lobby, and connection to the streetscape
3. Positive financial impact for BPL
- Leveraging of public investment with private investment
- Optimal and maximum use of the existing physical asset
- Revenue generation and cost sharing from commercial tenants
- Leveraging benefit of previously-deferred maintenance projects to support library service improvements
Johnson Building Improvement Project: Why?
Posted on November 28th, 2012 by Gina Perille in Johnson Building Study, Library Services, Major Projects
Tags: Back Bay, Copley Square
This project (project number #7018 of the City of Boston’s Property & Construction Management Department) is driven by the recognition of Johnson Building improvements needed to advance the Principles for Excellence outlined in the Boston Public Library’s strategic plan, the BPL Compass.
These include:
- Underutilized space in need of refurbishment in order to provide library spaces that are inviting, stimulating, comfortable, clean, and safe
- Longstanding physical barriers to transparency and engagement on Boylston and Exeter Streets, including granite screens separating the first floor of the building from the sidewalk
- A commitment to reinvigorating the library user experience in order to attract and engage visitors by enabling easy and effective access to library services
- An interest in exploring new revenue sources to supplement services and fund deferred maintenance.
Any redevelopment will seek a blend of library functions with potential commercial functions that creates a dynamic facility that is much more than the sum of its parts, and reinforces the image of the library as a superb source of knowledge accessible to all.
The unique significance of the mission, history, physical characteristics, and location of the Boston Public Library will be key factors in the project – there is only Central Library in Copley Square and its unique characteristics will be protected and leveraged through this project in order to enhance its position as one of the premier libraries in the world.
Compass Roundtable on Special Collections: Wed., November 7
Posted on November 1st, 2012 by Gina Perille in Library Services, Strategic Plan
Tags: Special Collections
The next Compass Roundtable will take place on Wednesday, November 7, at 6 p.m. in the Orientation Room of the Central Library in Copley Square. Join in a discussion about the Special Collections principle with Director of Library Services Michael Colford and Keeper of Special Collections Susan Glover.
The Special Collections principle states: The BPL is committed to the ongoing development and preservation of its distinctive special collections, which provide citizens from all walks of life with access to their common cultural heritage.
The stated outcomes under the Special Collections principle are:
- Strengthen and grow collections that focus on existing strengths and geographic specialties.
- Special collections will be discoverable by users in buildings and online.
- Develop a digitization plan.
If you are not able to joins us in person in November, you are always welcome to leave a comment on this blog or send an email to compass@bpl.org with your ideas. There are two more roundtables to come:
- January 2013: Community Gathering. The BPL exists to serve and sustain communities that foster discovery, reading, thinking, conversing, teaching, and learning, in accessible, sustainable, and welcoming facilities throughout the City, as well as with an engaging online presence.
- March 2013: User-Centered Institution. The BPL is a user-centered institution with services that anticipate and respond to neighborhood interests and the changing demographics of the City and Commonwealth.
Specific dates, times, and locations will be published for the remaining pair of roundtables as soon as they are available.
Upcoming Major Projects
Posted on October 4th, 2012 by Christine Schonhart in Library Services, Major Projects
Tags: Dudley, Egleston, Jamaica Plain, Roslindale, South Boston, Uphams
Over the next year, the Boston Public Library will focus on a systemwide facilities review based on the Compass principles. The BPL will be piloting this review at three branches: Dudley, Jamaica Plain, and Roslindale. There are also several projects in the branches and the Central Library at Copley Square focusing on children and teens, space rejuvenation, technology, and energy efficiency.
Upcoming projects include:
- A rejuvenation of the outdoor space at the South Boston Branch is planned; the library is currently gathering estimates for a scope of work.
- The municipal building at 500 Columbia Road, which houses the Uphams Corner Branch, will receive a facelift with re-pointing of exterior masonry, some new windows, and a new front entrance. The work is scheduled to begin this fall and continue for approximately one year.
- In addition to the facilities review at Dudley, the branch is also in the process of developing concepts to improve the front entrance, and a study of the entire branch is underway with Utile Architects. Documents from the Dudley planning process are available here.
- The Egleston Square Branch will add a teen writing nook – a small space for teens to create and work with staff and partners on creative writing projects; work on this is scheduled to start in the spring of 2013.