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Renovating Portland Public Library

Project Summary

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RENOVATING PORTLAND PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Portland Public Library system has embarked on a Capital Campaign to renovate the Main Library on Monument Square in downtown Portland, Maine.  This is a significant and transformative effort, addressing long-needed improvements, increasing the quality of services, and supporting the economic development of downtown Portland.

Portland Public Library is lively place in high demand and serves nearly 620,000 patrons and 3.2 million visitors via its website.  Lending of materials exceeded 800,000 in 2008. These are powerful statistics reflecting the Library’s deliberate and sustained efforts to connect with our community and to bring essential resources and an enriching environment to area children, families, and businesses. The renovation is critical to Portland’s vitality and represents a significant step in the Library’s continuing effort to meet the community’s changing and growing needs.

Now 30 years old, the Monument Square Library requires repair from heavy use, growth, and reallocation of space to accommodate new technologies and changing demographics.  The renovation’s primary objective is to create a variety of flexible spaces appropriate to the Library’s current and future user needs.  We seek harmonious and efficient spaces, clearly understood in their functionality, that create an interlocking dialogue of space, function, and architecture, while respecting fiscal realities.

The vision for the redesigned Portland Public Library is an environment that will be safer, more inviting, conducive to a variety of uses, and inspirational to the public. The project is mandated by outmoded and poorly functioning internal systems, changes in constituent needs, and goals for expanding services to young readers.

The renovation will occur in two phases.   

Phase I

Renovations will occur on the Main Floor, Lower Level, and exterior. The project budget for Phase I is $7.3 million, including general construction, architects/engineers costs, FF & E contingencies, and other related soft costs.

Key improvements include the following:

• Redesigning the façade—a significant enhancement that will create a dynamic interchange between the Library and Monument Square, a welcoming and attractive entrance, and additional interior space.

• Creating a new Teen Library with computers and resources to meet the Library’s large and growing teen patron base.

• Relocating and expanding the Children’s Library to the Main Level.

• Expanding the Auditorium providing Congress Street access to a new performance/art gallery space.

• Relocating and expanding the Audio-Visual Area.

• Creating a new café.

• Expanding the computer zone.

• Updating and repairing the Library’s infrastructure using green technologies to ensure comfortable, consistent air quality and temperature, and economical, uniform lighting, among other urgent system improvements.

• Adding public restrooms on each floor.

Phase II

Phase II construction will occur as funding becomes available and may be included in Phase I time frame:

• Implementing the Green Initiative Plan, including meeting LEEDS silver standards, two Green Roofs and Rooftop Gardens, and solar chimney.

• Creating Literacy Services and Language Lab Area with computers and literacy teaching materials.

• Creating a new Great Reading Room for quiet work.

• Expanding the Portland Room, an important repository on local history.

• Consolidating administrative services.

 ver. 05-22-2009

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5 Monument Square, Portland Maine 04101    207 871-1700    email: reference@portland.lib.me.us