CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

ABOUT THE FIRM: William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc.

William Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc., in Boston, formed in 1983, has completed a large number of projects, ranging from complex urban buildings to college campuses, from performing arts facili-ties to affordable housing. Best known is the 1,200-seat Seiji Ozawa Hall for the Boston Symphony Orchestra at Tanglewood, recently ranked in terms of acoustics as the 4th Best Concert Hall in the United States and the 2nd Best Concert Hall in the United States built in the last 50 years (Leo Beranek, Concert Halls and Opera Houses). Recently-completed projects include an overall campus masterplan and architectural design of the West Campus Residential district at Northeastern Uni-versity in Boston, Sophia Gordon Residence Hall at Tufts University, and the ‘62 Center for Theatre and Dance at Williams College.

William Rawn Associates is committed to buildings participating in the civic or public realm — sus-tainable buildings in the city and in important public landscape settings, such as Cambridge Public Library and Tanglewood. We believe that successful architecture, through the active engagement of its civic context, fosters the values of diversity, meritocracy, and participation that are fundamental to the American democratic experience.

Our approach to sustainability includes outreach, education, and dialogue, which we value as much as air quality, energy conservation, and material effi ciency. Our designs promote sustainable living as much as they reduce energy and water use. All of our recent projects foster highly sustainable communities through the integration of sophisticated sustainable design elements. Sustainability is central to our offi ce culture.100% of the architects and design staff in our offi ce are LEED accred-ited professionals. We are especially proud that ARCHITECT Magazine ranked William Rawn Associ-ates the #1 Sustainable Architecture Firm in the Country in 2011 in its annual ranking of American architecture fi rms.

CONTACT INFOWilliam Rawn Associates, Architects, Inc.Kate McCoubrey, Marketing Director10 Post Offi ce Square, Suite 1010Boston, MA 02109617.423.3470 kmccoubrey@rawnarch.com www.rawnarch.com

CAMBRIDGE

PUBLIC LIBRARY2011 Green Dot Awards

CAMBRIDGE

PUBLIC LIBRARY2011 Green Dot Awards

KEY SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES INCLUDE:

• Re-Use of an Historic Landmark

• A Unique High-Performance Double-skin Curtainwall

• Open Space Enhancements

• Stormwater Management

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

SITE PLAN

OLD AND NEW BUILDINGS SIT SHOULDER-TO-SHOULDER ON CIVIC PARK

RE-USE OF AN HISTORIC LANDMARK• At the heart of the project is the restoration of the City’s original Main Library,

(designed in 1889 by Van Brunt & Howe and bequeathed by Frederick Rindge)

• Saving this structure conserves material resources but more importantly preserves an important cultural treasure

A UNIQUE HIGH-PERFORMANCE DOUBLE-SKIN FACADE• Among the fi rst of its type on the east coast, the double-skin facade (two

surfaces of glass, creating an insulated airspace) is a multi-story (full height), full depth (3’), thermal fl ue. The facade allows for complete transparency while ensuring protection from excessive heat gain, heat loss, and glare.

• Energy Savings and Comfort: The facade saves energy (50 % reduction compared with a conventional curtainwall) and maximizes comfort at the reading spaces. The 3’ airspace can be open in summer to keep heat from entering the building and closed in the winter to create an insulating “thermal blanket;”

• Natural Light: The facade brings a signifi cant amount of balanced natural light into the library, carefully controlled by fi xed and movable sunshades;

• Natural Ventilation: Operable windows in the facade allow for fresh air throughout the year (even in winter) without insect screens blocking and without concern for stolen books. In the winter, spring and fall, the windows allow heat from the cavity to be brought into the building.

OPEN SPACE ENHANCEMENTS• The project includes a signifi cant renovation of a 4 acre City Park surrounding

the library. The preserved open space is over six times the footprint (27,000 sf) of the 102,000 sf library.

• Parking is located underground, expanding the land available for the park, eliminating stormwater runoff from the parking lot, and reducing the urban heat island effect by shading 100% of the parking area with parkscape

• A 33,000 sf green roof – an intensive type with 4’ of soil to allow tree planting – covers the underground parking

• The building and an underground garage were confi gured to save two 50’ tall European Beech trees in the park

• After a building expansion that tripled the area of the original building, the park actually grows in area by a half acre

STORMWATER MANAGEMENT• A 350,000 gallon stormwater retention tank, located under the park,

provides stormwater management for a 3-square mile section of the City surrounding the site

SEE “EVALUATION” SECTION FOR COMPLETE SUMMARY OF SUSTAINABLE DESIGN FEATURES

PROGRAM The New Cambridge Public Library includes a striking new glass building of 76,700 gsf joined to the restored 27,200 gsf landmark, designed in 1887 by Van Brunt and Howe and listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The building has capacity for over 275,000 books, 90 computer stations, reservable meeting rooms, and a 220 seat auditorium. The project includes an underground parking garage (70 spaces) and the restored Joan Lorentz Park.

LOCATION Cambridge, MA

CLIENTCity of Cambridge

INTEGRATED DESIGN PROCESSAs lead architect, our fi rm worked with numerous specialty consultants, the library director, library staff, owner’s project manager, community and City design review committees, the neighborhood development council, and the historical commission. Over 50 public meetings were held through the design process.

COMPLETION DATE2009

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

ACTIVE AND CIVIC GROUND FLOORThe main level of the New Library is envisioned as a highly active, community-centered space:• 20’ fl oor-fl oor

• Contains the most highly-circulated parts of the collection (browsing, periodicals, A/V)

• Warm, natural materials• Infused with natural light• Cafe area• Red wall and ceiling defi ne

circulation zone

Ground fl oor public space: open, active and accessible

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

A DEMOCRATIC AND POPULIST LIBRARYThe building establishes the library as the “Civic Heart” of the community and a fundamentally demo-cratic building with open and accessible spaces that are easy to navigate. Patron seating along the build-ing’s highly transparent façade conveys a sense of in-vitation and welcome.

Double-skin facade and column-free perimeter maximize transparency, while natural materials including maple and Vals quartzite create a sense of warmth

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Ground fl oor spaces in the new building are at grade with the park, bringing the public realm into the building in a strong way; in contrast, the historic building is reaised 3’-6” above park level

LIBRARY IN THE PARKThe new building expands upon the idea of “Library in the Park” by bringing the park into the library. A double-skin curtainwall maximizes visual transparency from the park into the library, and from library reading areas out to the park.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

A RIGOROUS RESTORATION OF HISTORIC SPACESA rigorous restoration of the Main Reading Room resulted in a warm, inviting space for readers of all ages. The deep, rich Victorian color scheme was reinstated and oak woodwork was restored. Period chandeliers and reading lights based on historic photos were installed, supplemented by contemporary fi xtures. On the upper walls of the historic rooms, a series of restored WPA (Works Progress Administration) murals painted in 1934 by Elizabeth Tracy and Arthur Willis Oakman depict the ten divisions of knowledge that make up the Dewey Decimal Cataloguing system.

Historic Reading Room, 1889

Mural Conservation

Restored Historic Reading Room, 2009

Stack Wing, 2004

Stack Wing During Construction

Old Stack Wing Re-invented as Young Adults Room, 2009

Old Delivery Room Re-invented as New Information Commons, 2009

Delivery Room, 1889

Delivery Room, 2004

An addition built in 1967 was renovated and the original facade was completely restored1967 Wing

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Outdoor Reading Courtyard: Programmatic element connecting historic building and new addition

CLEAR AND SEAMLESS CONNECTION BETWEEN OLD AND NEW BUILDINGSThe new library achieves a seamless connection of interior spaces within the new and old buildings, bringing new technologies & an innovative Young Adults space into the historic building. On the outside, a glassy connection respects the integrity and object quality of the historic structure, allowing the historic building and contemporary new building to sit shoulder to shoulder in defi ning the primary edge to a civic park. At the point where old and new come together, a courtyard serves as an outdoor reading room.

Former Stacks Room transformed into vibrant new Young Adults Room

Former Delivery Room trans-formed into state-of-the-art Information Commons

Front Porch re-invented as transparent Reading Space

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Children’s concert in “prow” overlooking historic roof

CHILDREN’S ROOM: A TREE-TOP CONNECTION TO THE PARKContrary to the prevailing design trend of locating the children’s room in the library basement, the children’s room is located on the third fl oor, with views of the park and of the rooftop of the historic building. A “leaf” ceiling, a “pebble” carpet, and colorful window boxes animate the space.

3rd Floor Children’s Room: Reading space with leaf ceiling, pebble carpet, & colorful window boxes

EVALUATION

The sustainable design strategies for the project were developed through a series of workshops involving the owner, the architects, and the broader consultant team. The City of Cambridge has, through a number of recent projects, demonstrated its deep commitment to and leadership in sustainable design for public buildings. The new Cambridge Public Library continues that charge.

In 2002, William Rawn Associates (Lead Architect) and Ann Beha Architects (Associate Architect/Historic Building Architect) began a four-year design process that included nearly 100 public meetings with a the Mid-Cambridge Neighborhood Design Review Commission, the Cambridge Historical Commission and a Citizen’s Advisory Committee. Construction began in March of 2006 under the direction of Consigli/J.F. White Partnership, and the expanded library re-opened in October 2009.

PROJECT OWNERCity of CambridgeRobert W. Healy, City ManagerRichard Rossi, Deputy City Manager and Project DirectorSusan Flannery, Director of LibrariesAlan Burne, Owner’s Project ManagerCharles Sullivan, Director, Cambridge Historical CommissionWarren Pearson and Anthony DiFillipo, Clerks of the Works

LEAD ARCHITECTWilliam Rawn AssociatesWilliam Rawn, FAIA LEED AP, PrincipalClifford Gayley, AIA LEED AP, PrincipalPhilip Gray, NCARB, Project ManagerKen Amano LEED AP, DesignerKevin Bergeron, AIA LEED AP, Project Architect

ASSOCIATE ARCHITECT (HISTORIC BUILDING ARCHITECT)Ann Beha ArchitectsPamela W. Hawkes FAIA LEED AP, Principal-in-ChargeAnn M. Beha, FAIA, Consulting PrincipalWolfgang Rudorf AIA, Project ManagerMichele Auer AIA, Project ArchitectThermal Models by Arup Facade Group

Public Meetings with Model

The design team included LEED consultant John Amatruda (Viridian Energy & Environment, LLC), Vanderweil Engineers, Arup Facade Group (double-skin curtainwall consulting) and Michael Van Valkenburgh (landscape architect).

Energy modeling was used during several phases throughout the design process:1. Vanderweil used an energy model to deign the mechanical systems 2. Energy models were performed for LEED documentation3. Arup Facade Group developed a thermal analysis of the double-skin curtainwall

CONSULTANT TEAMLandscape Architect Michael Van Valkenburgh AssociatesStructural Engineer LeMessurier ConsultantsMEP / FP Engineer Vanderweil EngineersLighting Consultant Horton Lees Brogden Lighting DesignAcoustical Consutlant AcentechCode / Zoning Sullivan Code GroupHistorical Testing Building Conservation Associates, Inc.Accessibility Consultant Kessler McGuinness & Associates, LLCMural ConservationAssessment Strauss Conservation Center, Harvard UniversityStabilization Lydia VagtsCleaning / Conservation Gianfranco Pocobene StudioWood Conservator Robert Mussey Associates Inc.Contractor Consigli / JFWhite: A joint venture

INTEGRATED DESIGN TEAM

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Seestern, Dusseldorf

SparkasseDusseldorf

Stadttor, Dusseldorf

ARAG 2000,Dusseldor

3. Other projects visited by design team:

1. First US project to incorporate all key ingredients of advanced European double-skin curtainwall technology:

• 3’-0” Deep Airspace: provides added insulating depth and enables maintenance access

• Multi-story Thermal Flue: the greater height improves natural convection and makes the heat capture and exhaust more effi cient.

• Movable 1’-0” Deep Sunshades: locating the blinds in the protected cavity allows them to collect the sun’s heat energy before it enters the conditioned building. The lightweight aluminum louvers can be motorized to provide glare protection at all sun angles (important on a southwest exposure).

2. European examples of this type: The design team visited over 10 buildings with double-skin technology in Germany and London to determine how best to adapt this technology to a library. This research revealed the advantages of this type of double facade in providing the level of transparency, thermal comfort, glare control, maintainability, and energy savings that were important for the library:

A PIONEER OF DOUBLE SKIN CURTAINWALL TECHNOLOGY IN THE US

EVALUATION

Post Tower,Bonn Germany

Helicon,London, England

Bayer HeadquartersLeverkusen, Germany

The facade was fabricated in Gundelfi ngen, Germany by Josef Gartner, GmbH. Prior to fabrication, a full scale mock-up of the facade was constructed and tested for air infi ltration, pressure, water penetration, and seismic deformation

A thermal model was created by Arup Facade Engineering (London Offi ce)

3’-0” Multi-story fl ue -- 12” deep operable sunshades in the cavity: • Cambridge Public Library, Cambridge, MA (2009)

3’-0” Multi-story fl ue with operable narrow sunshades in the cavity: • Information Commons, Loyola University, Chicago IL (2008)

3’-0” Multi-story fl ue - no sunshades in the cavity: • Foundry Square, San Francisco, CA (2003) • New York Presbyterian Hospital, New York, NY • UMass Medical School, Worcester, MA (2004) • Seattle Justice Center, Seattle, WA (2002)

• Yazaki North American, Canton, MI (2000)

ARUP Offi ces, London

Victoria House, Cologne

3’-0” Multi-story fl ue with fi xed sunshades in the cavity: • Occidental Chemical Building, Niagra Falls, NY (1982)

3’-0” Deep Corridor Style: Airfl ow contained to single story • Genzyme Center, Cambridge, MA (2003) • University of Michigan Biomedical Science Research Building • Art Institute of Chicago - Modern Wing, Chicago, IL (2009) • Cleveland Art Gallery, Cleveland OH (2009)

Narrow +/- 8” deep System: • Manulife Financial, Boston, MA (2003)

TYPOLOGIES OF DOUBLE-SKIN FACADES IN THE UNITED STATES: To date, approximately 12 major double skin facades in a variety of confi gurations have been constructed:

FABRICATION AND ENGINEERING BY LEADING EXPERTS IN EUROPEAN DOUBLE SKIN TECHNOLOGY

Victoria Ensemble, High Rise - type 1

3. Other projects visited by design team (continued):

Victoria Ensemble, Low rise - type 2

INNOVATION IN TECHNOLOGY

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Outer skin

Inner skin

Exhaust vent with operable glass louvers

Operable windows

Operable aluminum louvers

Glass visors

Intake trench with operable damper

Structural ladder frame

Glass visors

Operable windows

Operable aluminum louvers

Bay Detail

DOUBLE-SKIN CURTAIN WALL: HOW IT WORKS

Double-skin cavity, catwalk for window cleaning Aluminum louvers, adjustable to two positions

Louvers adjust to low sun angle

EVALUATION

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

EVALUATION

12

34

5

6

7

Double Skin Components

1 Exterior Glazing2 Interior Glazing3 Structural Frame

4 Operable Sun Shade5 Sun Shade Canopy

6 Lower Operable Ventilation7 Upper Operable Ventilation

SHADING ELEMENTS VENTILATION ELEMENTS

8

8 Maintenance Catwalks

A UNIQUE HIGH-PERFORMANCE FACADEEnergy Savings and Comfort:

The facade saves energy (50 % reduction compared with a conventional curtainwall) and maximizes comfort at the reading spaces. The 3’ airspace can be open in summer to keep heat from entering the building and closed in the winter to create an insulating “thermal blanket;”

Natural Light:

The facade brings a signifi cant amount of balanced natural light into the library, carefully controlled by fi xed and movable sunshades.

Natural Ventilation:

Operable windows in the facade allow for fresh air throughout the year (even in winter) without insect screens blocking and without concern for stolen books. In the winter, spring and fall, the windows allow heat from the cavity to be brought into the building.

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Structural ladder frame

Inner glass skin installed

Structural ladder frame

Outer glass skin installedGlass visor installation

Structural ladder frame erection

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

EVALUATION

8

8 Maintenance Catwalks

A UNIQUE HIGH-PERFORMANCE FACADEEnergy Savings and Comfort:

The facade saves energy (50 % reduction compared with a conventional curtainwall) and maximizes comfort at the reading spaces. The 3’ airspace can be open in summer to keep heat from entering the building and closed in the winter to create an insulating “thermal blanket;”

Natural Light:

The facade brings a signifi cant amount of balanced natural light into the library, carefully controlled by fi xed and movable sunshades.

Natural Ventilation:

Operable windows in the facade allow for fresh air throughout the year (even in winter) without insect screens blocking and without concern for stolen books. In the winter, spring and fall, the windows allow heat from the cavity to be brought into the building.

ENERGY AND THE ENVIRONMENT

Structural ladder frame

Inner glass skin installed

Structural ladder frame

Outer glass skin installedGlass visor installation

Structural ladder frame erection

CONSTRUCTION PROCESS

CAMBRIDGE PUBLIC LIBRARY

EVALUATION

ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

The Library, which is in the process of submission for LEED certifi cation, refl ects the client’s commitment to sustainable building practices. Key components of the project’s approach include:

1. RE-USE OF AN HISTORIC LANDMARK: At the heart of the project is the restoration of the City’s original Main Library, (designed in 1889 by Van Brunt & Howe and bequeathed by Frederick Rindge). Saving this structure conserves material resources but more importantly preserves an important cultural treasure.

2. MAXIMIZING NATURAL LIGHT: • Daylight and views are provided to 90% of the occupied spaces in the building. Signifi cant natural light is introduced through the building’s transparent main facade, a double-skin curtainwall, windows on the north facade and at either end of the main circulation spine and through a skylit atrium;• Large windows bring light into the historic spaces, including a new Young Adults room which benefi ts from the removal of an addition built in 1967 which blocked the west facade;• The high effi ciency light fi xtures are controlled by sun sensors and a sophisticated dimming system which can turn lights off by zone to save energy.

3. A UNIQUE HIGH-PERFORMANCE FACADE: The fi rst of its type in the U.S., the double-skin facade (two surfaces of glass, creating an insulated airspace) is a multi-story (full height), full depth (3’), thermal fl ue with 1’-0” deep movable sunshades. The facade allows for complete transparency while ensuring protection from excessive heat gain, heat loss, and glare:• Among the fi rst of its type on the east coast, the double-skin facade (two surfaces of glass, creating an insulated airspace) is a multi-story (full height), full depth (3’), thermal fl ue. The facade allows for complete transparency while ensuring protection from excessive heat gain, heat loss, and glare.• Energy Savings and Comfort: The facade saves energy (50 % reduction compared with a conventional curtainwall) and maximizes comfort at the reading spaces. The 3’ airspace can be open in summer to keep heat from entering the building and closed in the winter to create an insulating “thermal blanket;” • Natural Light: The facade brings a signifi cant amount of balanced natural light into the library, carefully controlled by fi xed and movable sunshades;• Natural Ventilation: Operable windows in the facade allow for fresh air throughout the year (even in winter) without insect screens blocking and without concern for stolen books. In the winter, spring and fall, the windows allow heat from the cavity to be brought into the building.

4. UNDERGROUND PARKING:• Parking is located underground, expanding the land available for the park, eliminating stormwater runoff from the parking lot, and reducing the urban heat island effect by shading 100% of the parking area with parkscape.• The parking is covered by a 33,000 sf green roof (an intensive type with 4’ of soil to allow tree planting).

New Building engages the City with fully transparent facade

Reading spaces on the south facade enjoy strong views of the Park

Double-skin cavity with operable aluminum louvers

5. OPEN SPACE ENHANCEMENTS:• The project includes a signifi cant renovation of a 4 acre City Park surrounding the library. The preserved open space is over six times the footprint (27,000 sf) of the 102,000 sf library; • After a building expansion that tripled the area of the original building, the park actually grows in area by a half acre; • The building and an underground garage were confi gured to save two 50’ tall European Beech trees in the park;• The New Building was designed to celebrate its relationship to the park with a transparent facade and ground fl oor spaces set at park level.

6. STORMWATER MANAGEMENT:• A 350,000 gallon stormwater retention tank, located under the park, provides stormwater management for a 3-square mile section of the City surrounding the site

7. CONSTRUCTION WASTE MANAGEMENT:• Over 95% of the waste generated from construction was diverted from landfi lls.

8. TRANSPORTATION:• Dedicated parking is provided for alternate fuel vehicles in the underground parking garage;• Extensive bicycle storage is provided in the park and below ground in the parking garage to encourage patrons and staff to bicycle to the library – building on a dedicated bike lane built by the City in 2001 along Broadway Street. Staff changing rooms and showers are provided (for staff members riding to work);• The library is located with access to 5 bus routes and a major MBTA bus and subway station (Harvard Square).

9. WATER AND ENERGY CONSERVATION:• Low fl ow toilets, faucets, and staff showers reduce water consumption;• Enhanced Commissioning of the mechanical systems (including the double-skin facade) ensures the equipment is operating to optimum effi ciency; • Double-skin facade saves 50% of the energy which would be consumed with a conventional curtainwall;• CFC free refrigerants were used in the air conditioning system.

10. MATERIALS AND INDOOR AIR QUALITY• User controlled natural ventilation throughout the building – at the double skin facade, operable windows into the passively heated cavity allow fresh air to be brought into the building during colder weather and without security concerns;• Low VOC paints, adhesives, carpets and other materials are used throughout the building;• The library is comprised of 20% post-consumer recycled content.

11. OTHER• The client will maintain the facility in accordance with its City-wide green housekeeping program.

New and Historic Buildings stand shoulder to shoulder to defi ne new park

Historic 1889 Van Brunt & Howe Main Library

Ground fl oor “Civic” space at grade with park and with 20’ fl oor-to-fl oor

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PROJECT RESULTS & LESSONS LEARNED

Ground fl oor public space: open, active and accessible

Ground fl oor spaces in the new building are at grade with the park, bringing the public realm into the building, in contrast to the historic building, which is raised 3’-6” above park level

FIRST U.S. DOUBLE-SKIN CURTAIN WALL OF ITS TYPE:New Type of Civic Building

Cambridge Public Library includes a large-scale double-skin curtain wall as the building’s front facade (180’ long x 45’ high). The double-skin facade achieves a remarkable transparency (in spite of its southwest orientation), positioning the library as a new type of civic building:

• A democratic and populist library celebrating Cambridge as a highly diverse community (with over 50 languages spoken in its schools) and creating spaces that are welcoming, inviting, and accessible – not imposing or elistist;

• Expanding on the idea of “Library in the Park” of the historic Van Brunt & Howe building, a building that brings the park into the library through its continuous transparent front facade.

EDUCATIONAL MANDATE OF THE LIBRARY: “Celebrate the Book”

Equally important to the Library was the mandate by the Director of the Library that the building “celebrate the book” everywhere – that “as you enter the building, you know it’s a building about books and reading.”

• Unlike libraries which double as community centers, this building organizes itself around books – a strong statement about education in a city well-known both for its academic interests and its commitment to educational opportunities for its immigrant residents;

• With over 2,000 visitors each day, the library has become a new intellectual “Town Common” for Cambridge.

The resulting design embodies the imperatives developed by the client and architect:

PROJECT RESULTS BENEFITS TO OWNER & CLIENT RESPONSEBy building a new sustainable library, the City of Cambridge has reduced energy costs, lowered maintenance costs (for example, the project incorporates low-maintenance fl ooring throughout), reinforced the City’s reputation as a leader in sustainable initiatives, and created a new hub of civic life for the community. Below we have included a statement from the client’s representative – Susan Flannery, Library Director – that points to the success of the project:

Since our opening day, when over 1700 residents of all ages and from all corners of the city gathered outside our new Main Library, the community has been coming in droves: over 2000 to 2500 people visit the Main Library daily; checkouts are up nearly 70%; library card registrations are up 59%; over 165 community groups have used meeting spaces in the new library; and it’s not unusual to have 80 wifi users at one time. Comments in our guest books range from “fabulous” to “awesome” to “wonderful.” The truest test of the library’s success is that all parts of the building are fi lled from opening to closing each day with residents of all ages.

The building achieves our vision for the new Cambridge Public Library:

• To celebrate the democratic principles of a free public library in a diverse community by creating a building that was welcoming, accessible, and unintimidating;

• To offer different experiences for different users by creating special group spaces, whether for small or large groups, for silence or for conversation and meeting friends, for gathering around food and drink, or unique spaces for children and for teens;

• To re-invent the public library in a way that capitalized on the strengths of a good library and a good bookstore by merchandising the collections to promote their use and to create signage that was fun, unintimidating, easy to follow, visual as well as textural, and communicated that all are welcome here;

• To create a unifi ed library that works as a one entity and that would be the “civic heart” of our community, celebrating the unique qualities of Cambridge – a City that is intellectual and passionate about books, that is technological and innovative, and that is extremely ethnically, economically, and educationally diverse.

From the moment a person steps into the building there is a clear message that this is not your typical library. With its stunning glass exterior luminous day and night, achieves this even from the street. The building unabashedly promotes books and reading while conveying the image and reality that the Library is a lively, fun, hip place to be (we are especially pleased to notice a surge in the number of twenty-somethings using the Library). The transparency of the new building has been wildly successful in enticing passersby, and once they venture in, it’s an easy task to get them to come back.

In a society that is economically segregated, libraries are among the few places where people from all walks of life encounter each other. The truest evidence of the library’s success is found by standing at the front door any time of day or evening and watching who comes through the door. There is no stereotypical library user. They are from all walks of life, all corners of the earth, and all age groups. This building is an honest and affi rming refl ection of our community and our vision.