Times are changing, and the Southeast Library is in the process of changing, too! Keep abreast of the modernization of Capitol Hill’s neighborhood library at a virtual meeting hosted by DC Public Library (DCPL) Wednesday, May 5.
DCPL has hired the design/build team of Whiting-Turner Construction/Quinn Evans Architects for the $23 million transformation of the historic Southeast Neighborhood Library.
The library is one of the smallest, but most-used, facilities in the DCPL system.
Project goals include expanded space for children, teens and adults as well as preservation and restoration of the building’s historic elements. The new building is to have a universally accessible entrance as well as preserve the original historic entrance.
In December 2020, the team presented initial concept designs. Options illustrated possibilities for placing the universal entrance at either the Southwest or Southeast corners. The two different options each have different concept designs.
The designs double the space for books and computers and increase meeting space by a third. They triple the adult seating and quadruple space for children and families. For both concepts, this is largely accomplished by an expansion of space below-grade.
You can see the full December 2020 presentation, giving full concept design and floor plans online at www.slideshare.net/DCPublicLibrary/southeast-library.
Then, give your views. DC Public Library (DCPL) will hold a virtual Southeast Library Community Meeting Wednesday, May 5 at 6:30 p.m. to discuss the modernization project.
At the meeting, the design team will:
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Present the latest design;
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Share the project timeline; and
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Gather community feedback.
This virtual meeting will take place on WebEx. Click the link here to access the meeting. The event password is “dcpl.”
The Southeast library reopened to provide limited in-person services on May 3. The libraries will be open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Construction on the modernization is not expected to begin until 2022.
Meeting link: https://dcnet.webex.com/dcnet/onstage/g.php?MTID=eebcad716f325999d0d98fb0aa9f904e6
Learn more about the project by visiting https://www.dclibrary.org/southeastlibraryrenovation
