Architect and Construction Manager for Third Branch Selected

I realize that the demands on libraries have evolved dramatically in recent years and that it is a huge challenge to accommodate them all in a single small branch. That being said, I wish Mallett Creek didn't feel so much like a Kinko's. ;-)

Consider this a humble request to dial back the multimedia just a shade and dial up the cozy chairs, tall bookstacks, and brickwork.

Although I live in the neighborhood and this new Northeast branch library will be within convenient walking distance for me, I am troubled by the environmental degradation its construction at Huron Parkway and Traverwood will cause. Large numbers of trees will have to be removed and hills flattened out at this site. Much impervious surface in terms of parking lots and buildings will be put in. All these changes will negatively effect the natural area and small ponds bordering this location. That is a real shame.

I really don't know what is wrong with the present location of the branch library at the shopping plaza. I think you should have looked to expand there first before destroying land with new buildings and asphalt.

I like the spaciousness, increased collection size, and ease of parking at the Malletts Creek branch; that being said, the mall branches do have their advantages. I've popped in to these with out of town visitors who took the presence of a library branch in a shopping mall as a mark of supreme intellectual civilization on the part of our fair town.

I found the Kinkos comment of the earlier poster interesting. I too think some reading nooks would be a welcome addition. I quite like the reading area for magazines but something else in the books area would be nice. The Ypsilanti Library is, in my opinion, a model in this area, as is the EMU library.

I also strongly believe that the Malletts Creek reference desk needs seating for patrons asking questions. The librarians must crane their necks to see the patron, who must stoop over to view the computer screen. It also discourages reference interviews that last for more than a few moments, as does its proximity to the crowd at the circulation desk (no privacy). I hope this will be considered in the MC branch as well as future ones.

The poster's comment about mall branches is a good thought. What would it cost to put a branch in Briarwood?

I wonder if those people preferring that a new library stay in a shopping mall setting realize how complicated and not necessarily cost effective to the taxpayer it is when the library has to lease a property vs. own it - has no one noticed how often the northeast branch closes for flooding, sewage and electrical problems - that are surely connected to sharing a building with a diner that pours who knows what down the drain... and more. Ann Arbor is an amazingly lucky community to have a library system that is growing - not starving to death slowly - the way so many libraries in Michigan are - not to mention all over the country.

Thanks to everyone who responded to my blog posting announcing the architect and cm selection for the NEB site. There is no doubt that constructing a building on an undeveloped site will result in some degradation and disruption of the flora and fauna. The library has taken a very strong position about building responsibly at both Malletts Creek and Pittsfield and we will bring that same rigorous commitment to the new library at Traverwood and Huron.

Our primary mission is to provide the best public library service possible to our community. Our community is growing. While we have clearly made the decision to grow with our community, we have also made the decision to set an example about how to build efficient, functioning public libraries with more than a nod to sustainable standards. Keep the comments coming. They are informing and keep those of us responsible for the stewardship of public money focused.

I love the Northeast Branch!

Why? Because it is in the Plymouth Road mall.

I can run several errands at one time, on foot or on the bus. While the new building will be close, I will be less likely to go when I am already picking something up at the hardware store or grocers.

I love having a public space where it's okay to stay as long as I want without buying something, and where there's entertainment in the form of lots of great books. I like knowing that if I misjudge the time I spend shopping and miss a bus, I have somewhere nice to hang out.

I like the idea of checking out a book and getting an icecream right at the same place.

For me, all of the reasons to like this branch library are related to its current location. If it moves, I feel I might as well go to the main library. I realize that I would not have made much of an impact, but I sure wish I'd heard about the plan to move the library in time to make a fuss before decisions were made!

I thought it was the general consensus among most experts that good environmental design involves multiple use such is now available at the Northeast Branch library in Plymouth mall where you can fullfill a variety of needs besides those involving the library. Moving to a standalone site just means more single-purposing automobile trips which is a major part of what the ecologically disasterous model of suburban sprawl is all about.

I just don't buy the bigger and more is better idea. Bigger and more always comes at a cost--it is not free. The choice for the Ann Arbor Library system is not between expansion and death. It can exercise some restraint by not expanding its physical plant and not consuming more open land. It is important to remember in trying to satisfy every desire, we go down the damaging road of over-consumption. Ann Arbor already has enough bad examples of over-consumption, please let the Ann Arbor Library system not add more.

Thanks for all of the good feedback to this posting. We are moving forward with our plans for the branch at Traverwood and Huron to replace the service currently located in the Northeast Branch at the Plymouth Mall, and I will post new blog items about our progress as we go forward. If you have more to say about this building decision or design features that you hope to see incorporated, please email me at parkerj@aadl.org.

Josie