The New Shaw Library

On Wednesday night, I participated in a meeting to discuss the preliminary design for the new Watha T. Daniels Library.  The new library will replace the old "brutalist" structure located at 8th and R Streets NW.  This was an important milestone, as the library sat closed for about 3 years before the District government managed to even open an interim library for the Shaw residents.

By and large, participants seemed pleased with the open glassy design, although there appeared to be a general consensus that the slats across the facade gave it a prison-like feel and that their removal should be considered.  In addition, there were several essential elements of the design that had not been addressed.  Those included ensuring a prominent entrance and signage, incorporation of public art both outside and inside the building, and landscaping/streetscaping.  Also raised was whether the library lights would remain on after hours to improve the safety of the block.  There was very little detail presented as to the interior of the building.  There will be three conference rooms, including two smaller ones that will seat 10-12 people and a large common room that can hold up to 100.  The common room, located on the lower level (but don't call it a basement!), will be available for the after hours usage of the community.  They would like to include public art, but the all glass walls present a challenge.  The library will include a children's room, and it was suggested that it be something fun and creative as in the old library.  It will be a green building, obtaining silver or gold LEED cerification.

A resident commented that the 3-floor library might include a coffee shop/cafe and I echoed her suggestion, noting that leasing a small portion of the library for a stand alone but connected cafe would likely bring more people into the library who might not ordinarily come inside and the lease could provide supplemental funding for library programs.  Chief Librarian Ginnie Cooper seemed to indicate that they would reconsider their decision not to include a cafe,  noting that while it would bring in more people, such ventures have often not been profitable.

There will be a follow up meeting some time in April. At that time, the architects will unveil the final design, incorporating the feedback received at the meeting.  In order to stay on schedule for opening in 2010, they are unlikely to take any additional feedback on design at that time.