ENSURE THAT THE NEW CLEVELAND PARK LIBRARY WILL BE A WARM AND WELCOMING AND CLASSIC PUBLIC LIBRARY.

The Cleveland Park Library community has made it clear that we want the interior of our new library to be warm and welcoming, as it is currently, and to maintain the feel of a traditional library,

While we recognize some of the positive features of the new design, we are disappointed and concerned that, so far, judging by the interior plans presented at the June 15th meeting and posted on the DCPL website, the design team prefers a modern look.

The following four criteria are essential to creating the ambience the community wants for our library:

1- The presence of friendly helpful staff at the entrance tells the visitor WELCOME TO THE LIBRARY! Desk attendants should continue to have a prominent location in the “forum”/entrance with enough staff members and sufficient work and storage space to be able to serve patrons adequately and maintain the friendliness that is the hallmark of the current library

2- Natural materials tell the visitor THIS IS A WARM, FRIENDLY PLACE. Furnishings throughout the library, including shelving end panels, seating and work surfaces, should be made of natural wood, preferably solid rather than imitation or veneer. Designs should be traditional, functional and comfortable. In the adult reading room, longer tables would serve to bring the community together.

3- The visibility of books at the entrance tells the visitor YOU HAVE ENTERED A LIBRARY. Special displays of books drawn from the library collection should be incorporated in the “forum” area and be in clear view. “On hold” books should be placed where they would be visible to patrons upon entering the building.

4- The CHILDREN’S AREA should FOSTER A COMFORTABLE, HOMEY FEEL, as well as quiet interaction. Rather than having a small row of tables as seen in the design on the DCPL website, the area should re-create the mid-sized sections of the current library with large tables and/or open space with low cushions.

5- The greeting by electronic monitor tells the visitor YOU HAVE ENTERED AN AIRPORT TERMINAL. Up-to-date DCPL/branch information should be offered through walk-up terminals in the “forum” area and elsewhere in the library, rather than mounting across from the entrance a monitor screen, which is a cold, lifeless means of greeting visitors.