The post-pandemic world rendered a new way of living – virtually. Yes, the world-wide-web has been in place for decades, but also consider that technology and human engagement unified during the onset of Covid-19 in March 2020, which separated people from interacting with each other. The local meeting place for work, school, and play became a computer screen at home. But slowly, society learned that no matter how advanced and innovative humankind can be, nothing can ever completely replace being together in the same space. People still need a central location for their aspirational goals and societal needs, which is why public libraries continue to thrive in delivering that sense of place for information, education, and collaboration.
The Greece Public Library in Greece, New York has reimagined that place. Serving as the Town’s architect, Passero Associates just completed a three-phase project renovation that began prior to, and at the height of the pandemic, more than four years ago.
“This was the first library to open in the state of New York in May 2020, a couple of months after everything was shut down,” said library director, Cathy Henderson. “We had all the necessary protocols in place to give people quick access for what they needed, but then they had to go,” she stated. “Amazingly, people started coming from all over Monroe County when word got out that we were open.”
Front Entrance Redesign
Recognizing the importance of libraries as gathering spaces, the first project phase Passero staff addressed was the library’s obscure front entrance. Built and completed in 2000, Passero quickly recommended an improved architectural design in 2019. The result was a new four-column, covered portico emerging above the building’s roofline that directly draws visitors into the main entrance. This stately and Grecian aesthetic tied the design to other structures within the Town of Greece.
With the diversity of young and old patrons in mind, modernizing the entry included replacing heavy, swinging front doors with automatic sliding glass doors for easy access. In addition, hexagon-shaped LED lights were hung from the ceiling to brighten the new welcoming space. Polygon, circular, and linear shapes would become a commonplace characteristic in future library improvements.
“The entrance and Children’s Library renovations set the tone for the design throughout the library,” said Emily Connors, Passero’s project manager. “Libraries have evolved from a quiet place to borrow a book, to vibrant and active community hubs of learning. They are dynamic spaces, and we are always trying to design with future flexibility in mind.”
The Children's Library Center
Next, the Children’s Library had outgrown its space and was in desperate need of a larger footprint. Passero staff designed a 7,000-square-foot expansion that would enlarge the east end of the building, which featured a large rotunda with tall bay windows, more than tripling the previous Children’s Library size to 10,000 square feet.
That additional space gave the architects and interior designers plenty of options to offer a fun, colorful, and vibrant redesign of the existing Story Garden. Using bright colors and elements of mother nature, a playful design emerged. The hanging, circular LED lights from a sky-blue ceiling earned national recognition and an award from Illuminating Engineering Society in 2023. Focused on early literacy through educational practicality, the “learning through play” theme came to fruition with interactive 3D elements, lower shelving for ease of reach and better sight lines, and more space to add new collections. In addition to Jennifer Preisser’s guidance, head of the Children’s Library, Passero’s depth of library experience in architecture, interior design, structural and civil engineering was integrated throughout the multi-functional expansion. Completed in June 2021, the Children’s Library Center has received tremendous praise and multiple industry awards.
“We had hundreds of people show up in great anticipation for the reopening of the Story Garden,” said Cathy, now in her twentieth year of service to the library. “Normalcy really returned from Covid as people began to come back for what seemed like our crowning moment.”
Main Library Renovation
After the unveiling of the Children’s Library, the final and most expected phase of the main library’s interior renovation was underway. Passero focused on the remainder of public spaces with a goal to expand patron services, improve sight lines, safety, accessibility, and increase energy efficiency.
Building on the success of the previous two phases, the interior renovation was influenced by the design popularity of the Children’s Library. The light-stained wood, soft yet bright paint colors and linear elements throughout the space connected the overall design. “We wanted to create a warm and cozy atmosphere that invited people to stay comfortably,” said David D’Angelantonio, Passero’s senior interior designer. “Before the project, everything felt cold and dark,” he added.
Sections of the library were redesigned to include a variety of environments, such as a tween area, teen library, gaming center, and café. There are collaborative areas such as an alcove of colorful booths with large monitors where small groups may gather and power-up their devices. Conversely, if people wish to isolate away from activity, a glass-enclosed Quiet Study room provides the perfect setting to concentrate. Also, there are plenty of areas to find a big comfortable chair for individual privacy. All areas of the main library are easily identifiable and cordoned off based upon need or subject matter. Architecturally, a 4-foot band of veneer paneling intrinsically surrounds the ceiling line with highly visible signage that directs patrons to their desired area. With a beautiful light and dark stain, these panels were carefully crafted to match all the book shelving.
This thoughtful space planning also accommodates lower bookshelves, a preferred trend for clear sightlines as opposed to traditional tall shelves. Visibility for staff is critical for safety in a library, as well as bright lighting. New energy-efficient LED lights hang cleverly in fun abstract shapes or linear-angled arrangements that blend into features of the furniture and wood paneling.
The interior library renovation finished well under budget and three months ahead of schedule in early July 2024. “The town made a concerted effort to make this investment within the community,” said Cathy. “Our attendance numbers have continued to rise. This shows that the public library has always been a community hub and can adapt with the people’s needs.”