The facility is an addition to the existing 11,000-square-foot library. This addition adds approximately 34,000 square feet for a total of 45,000 square feet.
The upper level is the larger floor with two main entries on the north and south. In addition to their functional roles, these entries are symbolic of the two communities coming together in this singular civic building.
The administration offices and general staff areas are housed in the renovated existing building.
This level of the new building also contains the children’s area, gift shop, public meeting rooms and gallery space. The lower level is for adult and young adult stacks, genealogy, reading rooms, reference and computer services. This level also contains the ceremonial entry that faces downtown and a major intersection of both communities.
A two-story rotunda housing the main reading room is the prominent feature of this façade and is the signature space of the new library. The overall image of the library is contextual with the existing building vocabulary of downtown Bristol.
