Libraries

Neighborhood living rooms, collaboration hubs, and performance venues. Spaces for exploration, creation, and contemplation. Architecture for the modern library accommodates needs as diverse as the people it serves. Libraries should invite participation, foster connection, and evolve along with community needs and aspirations.

From single-room renovations to central library reconfigurations to system-wide master plans, successful library design starts with community understanding. Bostwick Design Partnership’s participatory engagement process generates solutions tailored to each client’s unique demands and strategic priorities. Our planning and design work has helped shape the future of 172 libraries, because we listen, we learn, and we deliver.

Current and Recent Clients
Allen County Public Library, Indiana 
Bucks County Free Library, Pennsylvania 
Cleveland Medical Library Association, Ohio
Cleveland Public Library, Ohio 
Columbus Metropolitan Library, Ohio
Erie County Public Library, Pennsylvania
Geauga County Public Library, Ohio
Heights Libraries, Ohio
Lorain Public Library System, Ohio
Norwalk Public Library, Ohio
Public Library of Youngstown & Mahoning County, Ohio 
Tampa-Hillsborough County Public Library, Florida 
Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, Ohio 

Specialty Areas

Community Engagement
Facility Programs
Facility Master Plans
Library Assessments
Central Libraries
Branch Libraries
Academic Libraries
Historic + Carnegie Libraries

Cleveland Public Library, Rice Branch

Cuyahoga County Public Library, Garfield Heights Branch

Toledo-Lucas County Public Library, Mott Branch

260 libraries
19 states

total team experience

 Central Library Planning:

Philadelphia, PA
Cleveland, OH
Rochester, NY
Fort Wayne, IN
Erie, PA
Youngstown, OH

75+ years

total library design experience on our team

“My entire team was impressed with the Bostwick team’s collaborative approach to guide our staff through the design process, facilitate discussion with stakeholders, and gain consensus to achieve all Erie County Public Library objectives.”

Blane Dessy  |  Former Executive Director, Erie County Public Library

“The design they’ve created will be an exciting addition to the neighborhood, providing the beacon we promised while also honoring the historic Mott namesake and enhancing the park setting.”

Clyde Scoles  |  Director and Fiscal Officer, Toledo-Lucas County Public Library

“I’ve truly enjoyed working with Bostwick Design Partnership, and look forward to our continuing collaboration at the Main Library. I appreciate how they have helped us achieve our goals, and can endorse them as a firm who help you achieve yours.”

Felton Thomas  |  Executive Director, CEO, Cleveland Public Library

Library Leader
Richard Ortmeyer AIA  |  Partner

Rick’s work includes over 80 library programming, planning, and design projects in 13 states. A former public library board member, he’s a committed collaborator and effective facilitator of discussions across all organizational levels, from small focus groups to large community forums.

Featured Projects:
Cuyahoga County Public Library, Garfield Branch
Cleveland Public Library, Main Renovations
Free Library of Philadelphia, Space Programming

Want to know more? Send Rick an email.

Project Delivery expertise  →

Health & Wellness expertise  →

Higher Education expertise  →

Featured Library Projects