Opening the Book worked with library staff to achieve the best stock layout across the two floors. Fitting more stock on the ground floor created more room on the first floor where there are generous areas for children, teenagers, study, non-fiction and local history.
Public Library Design Case Study:
The new Library and Customer Service Centre at Risca is built as a modern extension behind the restored façade of the old Palace Cinema which had been derelict for many years.
The main library is on the first floor with the ground floor offering a mixed range of council services. Opening the Book’s design maximised the space available to the library on the ground floor, running a curved feature display wall from the front windows right through to the back and adding cinema-themed seating and tables.
Books, computers and comfy seats are all immediately visible from the entrance. The library specified that large print and audiobooks should be on the ground floor to be accessible to elderly people without having to use the lift. In addition the job search terminal was included in the library area so our design places relevant books and information right next to it.
Opening the Book sourced deco-style armchairs and used velvetine fabric to give a feel of cinema seating. Film star images were specially printed onto the glass coffee table tops and then back-lit, including Richard Burton for Wales, of course. The signage style also uses film reel as the recurring motif.
The ground floor is now a great place for library customers and also offers a pleasant and attractive waiting area for people using the Customer Service Centre.
Opening the Book worked with library staff to achieve the best stock layout across the two floors. Fitting more stock on the ground floor created more room on the first floor where there are generous areas for children, teenagers, study, non-fiction and local history.
Caerphilly have an ambitious events programme and they especially wanted to create a space where up to 60 people could be seated to watch a film, reviving the cultural experience which had once been so popular in the town.
Opening the Book’s solution used a big book storytime feature to divide the space. On one side the open pages of the book create a performance and play space for children. The back cover of the book makes a natural flat wall where a ceiling-mounted screen can be unrolled. The shelving in front is on castors so it can be moved to bring in extra seats. The third side contains a homework help area with computers for 8-11s. The positioning of the big book was critical as there is a pitched roof in the centre of the space with the projector on one side and the screen on the other.
Response to the library has been hugely positive; everyone loves the way it celebrates heritage and offers an up-to-the-minute contemporary experience at the same time.
To maximise the new shop windows to tempt passers-by into the building
To provide flexible space for arts events and cinema evenings within the library offer
Dramatic lightboxes and illuminated tables create a wow factor at the entrance
A big book storytime feature divides children from adults, provides a backdrop for film projection and tucks a homework help area in behind
6 months in new library compared to same period in previous year
Opening the Book’s design drew from the cinematic past, tapping into fond memories for older residents, but with a stylish appeal to a new generation of customers too. This gave the library service exactly the high-profile presence on the High Street we wanted.
The first new library built in the County for 20 years meant expectations were high at Thame for the library service and politicians as well as the local community.
The 4th floor of Boots Library is the most heavily used computer space in the university. The brief was to raise the quality of the student experience while maintaining the required number of computers and supporting 24/7 opening.
Opening the Book was contracted to deliver an interior design which made the space lighter and brighter, implemented a successful transition from staff-led counter service to self-service via RFID and improved the customer experience for over 500,000 people visiting the library each year.
Opening the Book was first appointed by Mace to work with the architects, structural engineers, project managers, landscape architects, mechanical and electrical designers at Stages A-E of the planned new building.
Transforming the old chapel in a 19th century school into a contemporary, practical library was an exciting challenge for our design team.
Werneth School in Stockport moved to a new purpose-built home on the school site. How could all the successful library activities be fitted into a smaller space?
Opening the Book first visited St Mary’s Church, Lichfield, in 2016 to consider the feasibility of the library being part of a larger refurbishment project.
This was a first for Opening the Book and gave us an opportunity to explore how we could bring the same aesthetic of integrating books and play that we bring to our public library projects into a very challenging, much more compact environment.
At Gateshead, Opening the Book created a successful MakerPlace in their existing Sound Gallery.
Opening the Book refurbished Gateshead Central Lending Library, including children’s and young adult areas, in 2009 so we were delighted to return to complete the work with a transformation of the computer and reference areas into the new Gateshead Archive.
In 2020 Conwy CBC had an opportunity to provide a new community hub for rural Conwy when the building which had been the Glasdir Business and Conference Centre in Llanrwst became available.
Opening the Book was excited to work with Doncaster MBC in creating the new Danum centre, bringing together the Central Library, the Museum and the Art Gallery to one site.