The Southeast Library has been undergoing a long-awaited remodeling/expansion for the last several years, but the wait is almost over: Ribbon-cutting is on September 10th. Here’s a view of the facade on South Carolina Avenue, with the new entrance. (RSP)
While the entrance on 7th Street will remain open, this new entrance has the advantage of being fully ADA-compliant (RSP)
The addition (where the parking lot/garbage bin area used to be) is as modern as you can imagine. The entrance into the old building is through one of the old windows (RSP)
The main floor has adult books as well as lots of seating. (RSP)
You may remember the fireplace. What is different is the color of the wood. This is what it looked like when the library opened; that dark shiny stain the woodwork sported before the renovation was a much later change (RSP)
Centerpiece of the library is a skylight that leads to a light shaft that brings light all the way down to the lowest level. (RSP)
The ground level is full of workspaces, both individual computers, but also study rooms with room from 4-6 people and the main meeting room (RSP)
The light shaft has a glass canopy to keep the sounds from the lower (children’s) level out of the upper levels. It will also require frequent cleaning. (RSP)
The lower level is the children’s area. Lots of bookshelves as well as reading nooks. (RSP)
This part of the level is underneath the garden that stretches along South Carolina Avenue. There’s another skylight to keep it bright (RSP)
A seating area in the children’s section. And yes, the light in that little cubby can change color. (RSP)
It’s just a matter of the final cleanup, including removing the construction fence, and SE library will be back in business! (RSP)
