Contact: Barbara Dimick, Library Director
608-266-6363
libraryadministration@cityofmadison.com
City of Madison contacts: Jeanne Hoffman, Facilities and Sustainability Manager, 608-266-4091
Rachel Strauch-Nelson, 608-266-4611
April 1, 2011 – Madison, WI – Architects from Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle and Potter Lawson will unveil the final working design for a new Central Library on Thursday, April 7 from 7-9 pm at the Madison Senior Center, 330 W. Mifflin St.
The new Central Library design expands and enhances the library with revised floor plans, more natural light, new entrances, and a partial addition to the third floor. The Library’s total space will be expanded from 95,000 to 118,500 square feet and the amount of public space will increase by 22%. Spaces are designed to be open and flexible to accommodate changing technology and the shifting role of libraries from book repositories to community learning centers. The library will triple the number of public computers and offer fully powered study tables for laptop access. Increased meeting spaces will meet community demand, and some meeting space will be accessible after-hours for special events or community functions.
The design features completely upgraded mechanical systems, natural palettes and sustainable, energy-efficient fixtures and technologies. The design will be minimally LEED Silver.
Construction is expected to start in Fall of 2011 and be completed in 2013. At the same time the library is under construction, the streets and sidewalks on Henry, Mifflin, and Fairchild Streets will also be upgraded.
The Central Library project will be funded by $17 million in General Obligation Bonds, $4.5 million in New Market Tax Credits, and $8 million in private support for a total cost of $29.5 million.
Madison City Channel will broadcast the meeting live at http://www.cityofmadison.com/mcc12/
Architect slideshows and videorecordings of past public meetings and schematic design plans are available on the library’s web site at http://www.madisonpubliclibrary.org/central.
The new design as presented on April 7 will be added to the library’s web site shortly after the public meeting.
