Worcester discusses changes to main library
A simple idea, that the door to the Worcester Public Library should face the Common, has become a design that could change the way people and the space interact. City and library officials are holding information sessions to discuss the project.
The first meeting was held recently in the Saxe Room at the main branch, and a second meeting is upcoming. The project would cost about $8m and include three important changes: adding a main entrance on Franklin Street, enclosing a walkway on Salem Street, and moving the children's section upstairs.
People who attended were largely receptive to the ideas, but had some questions. One point was whether or not the library would close during construction. Geoffrey Dickinson, the library director, said it was unlikely there would be a large shut-down, but it might be necessary to close occasionally to relocate collections.
Another concern was whether the project would bring jobs for local laborers. The answer came from LLB Architects' R. Drayton Fair, who said the job will be bid publicly. LLB presented the new concepts to the attendees.
According to Dickinson, construction could begin late in 2018, with the work expected to take 18 to 24 months.
The next meeting is set for December 6, from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm, in the Saxe Room.
Organizers of this kind of meeting can help facilitate things by working with a flyer printing company to create an agenda to help keep things on track.
The first meeting was held recently in the Saxe Room at the main branch, and a second meeting is upcoming. The project would cost about $8m and include three important changes: adding a main entrance on Franklin Street, enclosing a walkway on Salem Street, and moving the children's section upstairs.
People who attended were largely receptive to the ideas, but had some questions. One point was whether or not the library would close during construction. Geoffrey Dickinson, the library director, said it was unlikely there would be a large shut-down, but it might be necessary to close occasionally to relocate collections.
Another concern was whether the project would bring jobs for local laborers. The answer came from LLB Architects' R. Drayton Fair, who said the job will be bid publicly. LLB presented the new concepts to the attendees.
According to Dickinson, construction could begin late in 2018, with the work expected to take 18 to 24 months.
The next meeting is set for December 6, from 5:30 pm until 7:30 pm, in the Saxe Room.
Organizers of this kind of meeting can help facilitate things by working with a flyer printing company to create an agenda to help keep things on track.