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Highlights of the Library Project |
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- 59 new off street parking spaces immediately adjacent to the Library entrance, not visible from Wall Street or Boston Post Road in keeping with the downtown plan, providing convenient and safe access to the Library
- Drive-up window, accessible from the driver’s side, for 24/7 book return drop-off and book pick-ups during Library hours.
- Expanded Children’s Room for larger collections, separate story/craft room, homework and study center, and comfortable reader seating for parents, teachers and children.
- Separate, distinct “Teen Zone” with comfortable seating, room for socializing, listening and viewing, study area for homework help and work with classmates.
- Comfortable, quiet adult reading areas with natural lighting located throughout the building.
- A Gathering Room where users can meet and have quiet conversations, preserving quiet elsewhere in the Library.
- Easy-to-browse book stacks with wider aisles and display areas
- Quiet study rooms and small meeting spaces to provide for the various needs of many users, including authors, tutors, students and businessmen.
- Many more computer workstations to satisfy the demand in today’s technology-driven world.
- Less expensive unfinished basement space provides potential future expansion within the building, meanwhile will house the Friends’ largest fundraiser, the Book Sale.
- Restoration of the original historic 1900 building designed by Henry Bacon, who later designed the Lincoln Memorial, the most important architectural structure in our town.
- Program Center can be used for two simultaneous programs or opened to one space for up to 250 comfortably seated people to attend both Library and community programs. Separate direct entrances allow use whether Library is open or closed. While accounting for less than 5% of the total project cost, the Program Center allows larger Library fundraising events and can be rented to increase Library revenues to offset operating costs.
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Architect for the Library Expansion
From the Ct. State Library list of architects experienced in CT. public library design, 18 were thoroughly reviewed, 5 asked to submit proposals. Tappé Associates of Boston was selected because of their outstanding record - over 50 library projects – and their extensive work with additions to historically significant buildings similar to Madison’s. For photos of projects, visit the Tappé website at www.tappe.com
The new addition has been designed to feature the historic Henry Bacon original library building, while complementing the character of Wall Street.
The addition will be lower in height than the original historic building and lower than the adjacent commercial building to the north on Wall Street.
The ground coverage of the new addition is comparable to the ground coverage of the existing buildings now on the site.
Construction is planned to begin in late 2009 with completion in early 2011, assuming voter approval of the required bonding referendum in November 2008.
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Library Expansion Site Plan |
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