For the third phase of work in the Cleveland Public Library’s master plan, the library wanted to accomplish the following goals:
- elevate the ‘front-door’ visitor experience;
- leverage library space as venues for community use;
- create collaborative learning spaces that support of emerging services;
- implement a comprehensive wayfinding system;
- and update infrastructure to support the proposed improvements.
Some key spaces and details of the project include:
- As the historic Main Building centerpiece, Brett Hall was enhanced as a venue for special exhibits. It will also be available for events such as conferences, meetings and weddings.
- The Louis Stokes Wing 1st floor improvements include an interpretive welcome center with a library historical timeline, a room dedicated to the life and legacy of Louis Stokes, new lending and concierge service points, and an Indoor Reading Garden with café space and a revitalized Friends of the Library gift shop.
- The Louis Stokes Wing 2nd Floor is completely re-imagined as an open, flexible space for learning, meeting and facilitating programs and events. Existing but newly enclosed and furnished corner rooms add much needed reservable meeting rooms to the library.
- A major component of this phase is a new, intuitive and comprehensive wayfinding system for the entire campus. Clear, engaging wayfinding allows library regulars and new audiences to reach existing departments and new destinations the library seeks to showcase.
Bostwick Design Partnership collaborated with branding and wayfinding firm Karen Skunta & Company to create this new space for the library.
