Summary
During the Spring 2022 campus input sessions, there were several common themes that arose from both student and faculty/staff input sessions. Throughout the design development stage of the renovation project, Forsyth Library staff brought this campus input to the architects at PGAV and many of the requests have been thoughtfully integrated into the future plans for Forsyth Library.
During the Spring 2022 campus input sessions, there were common themes that arose from both student and faculty/staff input sessions. Throughout the design development stage of the renovation project, Forsyth Library staff brought this campus input to the architects at PGAV and many of the requests have been thoughtfully integrated into the future plans for Forsyth Library.
Natural Light
Natural light was one of the most common requests from both students, faculty, and staff. “Bring the outside in by adding windows,” suggested one student. The current library has several narrow windows lining the exterior that provide a glimpse of light, but that will change with the renovation. In response to this popular request, PGAV architects incorporated large glazed exterior facades (architect speak for windows) on each side of the building. The layout of the upper and main level was designed in a way to maximize the natural light these large windows will bring in. Without obstructions of walls or large furniture, the windows will act as columns of light throughout each level. The north and south stairwells will not only get a face lift, but they will also serve as a column of light with a skylight bringing natural light from above. Glass walls will enclose the stairwell on the upper level to reduce noise on the quiet floor but the stairwell will be open to the main and lower levels with glass railing and transparency that spreads sunshine to all levels of the building. Two openings in the floor will expose the main level to the lower level, bringing a flood of natural light while also connecting the two spaces by sound and sight. One of the openings will feature an amphitheater staircase that connects the two levels and the other will be an open space to peek from one level to the other.
Nature
Students also wanted to see nature incorporated into the building. To bring the outside in, natural teak wood will accent walls and ceilings throughout the building and other finishes and surfaces will provide a foundation for a warm, golden color scheme that has a hint of nature and a nod to our FHSU Tiger spirit. Even the felt baffling ceiling treatments and lighting in the presentation space was designed to mimic the billowing clouds in the prairie sky.
Surrounded by Books
Another theme that we repeatedly heard from students was the desire to be around books. “Being in the presence of books is a signal that I need to focus”, commented a student. Another added, “I like to take a break from studying to browse the stacks.” Suggestions for merchandising the library’s services and resources and using analogies to the shopping experience was also brought up by multiple participants: “the new design should display the books to have more of a book store feel”, one participant added. In response to these suggestions, each floor of the renovated library has carefully integrated combinations of shelving to make the library collections more visible and create an environment of being surrounded by centuries of knowledge. Low shelving will display new books near the main entrances, curved shelving will create a cozy lounge area near the café, a display shelf for popular archival materials is the prominent feature you will see as you peer through the window into the vault on the upper level, and compact shelving will efficiently store the rest of the collection while optimizing the space within the building.
Food & Drink
Food and drink options were another common request at input sessions. “People order food delivery to the library all the time” commented a student employee. In response to this request, a designated café space that includes a small back-of-house kitchen will open on the main level to provide food and drink options for visitors. The presentation space will also offer catering support with a sink, fridge, and a staging area for food to increase catering options for large events. On the lower level, a vending machine nook will be located near the Computer Lab Classroom.
Quiet Place to Study
The newly renovated library will retain its quintessential characteristic – a quiet place to study. Multiple students said that the quiet floor on the upper level is their sacred study space to escape for a few productive hours of schoolwork. “There’s no other place on campus that I can go and know that I won’t get interrupted or distracted,” one student commented. The upper level will remain a quiet floor, with more individual study rooms, and varied seating options for students to find their favorite nook among the new quiet study spaces.
