On April 10, BPL hosted a public program in Rabb Lecture Hall which featured an update of the early phases of the project lead by Michael Colford, director of library services.  Chris Gordon, consultant to the project, reviewed enterprise opportunities, and William Rawn and Cliff Gayley from William Rawn Associates, Architects Inc. led a discussion about the design principles of the Johnson buildings original Architect, Philip Johnson.

The night concluded with a dialog between the public and the presenters.  There were questions about the enterprise aspects of the project, the overall schedule, and discussion about how the public input being collected would be incorporated into the project.  Several audience members expressed appreciation for the context and asked that the project team continue to “think big.”

A rescheduled meeting will be posted once the date is set.

On April 15, the Boston Marathon and the Commonwealth’s celebration of Patriots’ Day were suddenly and sadly overtaken by tragic events. In the days that followed, the people of Boston and beyond have responded with enormous courage, support, and resilience. These individuals make us proud to have “Boston” in our name and are an inspiration as our community begins to recover and heal.

Boston Public Library is a community gathering place, a place for lifelong learning, a place to seek knowledge, solace, and renewal. This is true during good times and challenging times, and has been so since our founding in 1848 and the day our doors opened in Copley Square in 1895. Each day, whether in Copley Square or in one of our twenty-five branches across the city, we welcome residents and visitors from around the world.

All of us at the Boston Public Library have been waiting for the opportunity to welcome you back to Copley Square. With this message, I can now tell you our Central Library doors are open. Please know that we’d like to see you, whether your visit is today, tomorrow, or in the weeks that follow.

Sincerely,

Amy E. Ryan
President
Boston Public Library

The BPL will post information about the project on the Uphams Corner profile page on the BPL website along with any necessary program rescheduling information. Current Uphams Corner Branch users will be invited to use the Dudley and Grove Hall branches during the temporary closure period.

The questions posted on on the display at the Central Library are similar to ones shared on this blog in January. They are:

1. What areas or services in the library seem underutilized when you visit? What areas might need some updating?
2. What can the library do to establish a stronger connection to Boylston Street and Exeter Street?
3. How might the library make the Johnson Building more attractive and inviting?
4. What sorts of enterprise or entrepreneurial opportunities might the library pursue? What sorts of entrepreneurial activities might fit in well in the Johnson Building?

The Johnson Building, which opened in 1972, is the portion of the Central Library in Copley Square that is at the corner of Boylston and Exeter Streets.

Last summer, the library issued a request for proposals for help in exploring ideas on how to improve visitors’ first impression of the Johnson Building, enrich library services and spaces, and generate cost-sharing options and additional revenue.

Preliminary efforts to develop ideas for the Johnson Building began in November 2012 when a community advisory committee was formed and continued into December 2012 when the firm William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc. was selected to lead the master planning process.

Prior to the April 10 program, Boston Public Library will mount a display in the center atrium of the Johnson Building where library users and visitors can review a floor plan of the existing layout of the building and are encouraged to provide comments and suggestions on the project. The display will remain up for the entire month of April.

Background on the Johnson Building Project to date is published throughout this blog. Those not able to attend the April 10 public program or visit the display are welcome to leave a comment on the library’s Compass blog at www.bpl.org/compass or send an email to compass@bpl.org. “Compass” is the name of Boston Public Library’s strategic plan.

Download and share the April 10 program flyer (PDF).

Community Advisory Committee Members

Community Advisory Committee 4-8-13 Agenda (posted April 4)

Download and share the March Compass Roundtable flyer (PDF).

“Compass” is the name of the Boston Public Library’s strategic plan. The User-centered principle in the Compass states: 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.

User-centered Institution is the eighth of eight principles that staff from the BPL have discussed with the public following the unanimous approval of the strategic plan by the BPL Board of Trustees in November 2011. Boston Public Library engaged its stakeholders in a two-year, three-phase planning process prior to that Board approval.

If you are not able to join the User-centered Institution roundtable, you are welcome to leave a comment on this blog or send an email to compass@bpl.org with your ideas.

Community Advisory Committee 3-13-13 Agenda (posted March 7)