Bethlehem Public Library-Planning / Renovations

The Bethlehem Public Library is looking to undergo a major building project to update its 50-year-old building to address outdated and aging components, add in-demand space for today’s library users and collection needs, and enhance accessibility and environmental sustainability. Vaysen Studio is working directly with the Library to achieve these goals.

Project Purpose

To position the Bethlehem Public Library as a community resource that is accessible to all, offering modern programming in a mindful environment that’s nestled within the fabric of the community. Designed in a way that’s welcoming, simple to navigate, modern, and adaptable to a variety of programs, both inside the library and throughout the site. Optimizing the library so that both patrons and staff have cohesive environments to suit their evolving needs, and to support the next generation of collaboration, discovery and learning.

Client

Bethlehem Public Library

Services

Interior Design and Design Strategy

Location

Delmar, New York

Typology

Public Library

Project Team

Susanne Angarano
Brooke Williams

Primary Goals

• Address outdated and aging components of the 50-year-old Library building, including the removal of remaining asbestos and demolition of the mezzanine level, which is not suitable for public or staff needs.

• Add in-demand space for Library users, including a meeting space that can accommodate 250 people at the same time.

• Add in-demand collections space, expand children and teen area, address curbside pickup function, and improve staff space for better workflow and safety.

• Improve accessibility to and within the facility as well as to resources by reducing the distance between parking and entry.

• Enhance the library’s environmental sustainability footprint.

Stakeholder Engagement

Engagement was accomplished through a series of stakeholder interviews with the Library Administration, Library Staff, and Library Committee. The discussions were intended to not only talk about specific areas in and around the building, but also identify what the stakeholders wanted their Library to be in the future, and how it serves the community.

In order to define the scope based on these priorities, our process involved meeting with key groups and stakeholders, in a series of discovery sessions. These discovery sessions were intended to help us understand the current use or misuse of the space, the relationship it has to adjacent spaces, the needs for the space, and operational challenges. Having this information in context helped us to optimally align the objectives to develop more efficient and cohesive spaces.

Interior Design

By renovating the main library, we will be able to increase the amount of interior space that can be directly accessed by patrons. It addresses crucial infrastructure and overall reimagines the interior fit and finish of the library. Key attributes of the renovation include increased space for hands-on activities, easier access to circulation desks and staff as a resource, and more space for social/emotional interaction.

The project is currently in Schematic Design.