St. Johnsury Athenaeum in St. Johnsbury, Vermont

This spectacular and historic library is one of only ten libraries in the United States with the designation of National Historic Landmark.  You can find information on its history at www.stjathenaeum.org.
In 2003 the Athenaeum embarked on a project to add an elevator, replace the heating and electrical systems, add sprinklers and security monitoring, re-paint the interior, and re-locate the children's room.  Their architects were Mesick Cohen Wilson Baker of Albany, NY- a firm which specializes in historic preservation.  You can find more photos of this project on the architects' website at http://www.mcwb-arch.com/projects/cultural/stjohn.html.

My visit was a reminder of what an asset this library and gallery are to the residents of St. Johnsbury and to Vermonters in general.   Here are just some of a number of outstanding ideas in the design and use of this wonderful facility.

Accessibility was one of the challenges this library had to meet.

I used the parking lot at the rear of the building.  The book drop was close to the handicapped parking, and the ramp to the elevator on the lower floor was beside that.
 

Durable flooring for historic buildings poses another interesting challenge.  In this case, the library decided to use Marmoleum, defined as a "natural" linoleum.  It was polished to a high gloss and looked very effective in the space.
I also enjoyed the juxtaposition of the 19th and 21st centuries in their display of graphic novels on the right of the photo.  Difficult to shelve effectively, graphic novels are more appealing and accessible with the covers visible.

Speaking of Marmoleum (which sounds a bit like something you'd spread on toast), it was also used as flooring in the children's room, pictured below. It's an interesting and perhaps greener alternative to the usual commercial-grade carpeting.

 The design of the new main desk (at left)  fits in beautifully with the interior.  The shelves on the top of the desk serve to provide additional work space for the librarians and are effective at concealing any work clutter.  It has a very calm and organized feel from the patron's viewpoint, but equally serves the needs of the people who work hard behind the desk!

 
Now I'm going to take you upstairs to see the creative way in which the architects incorporated the elevator into the building.  Interestingly, the elevator shaft was built as a free-standing structure within the stairwell lobby.  The librarians have used the back side of the shaft very effectively as an exhibit space.

Below you can see the opposite side of the shaft and the elevator doors.  The lighting fixtures maintain the 19th century mood.

The reading room on the second floor (see photo below) has been restored to the original paint colors and the effect is striking.  Note the variety of lighting fixtures in the area: overhead lights, task lighting at tables, and stack lights that run along each bank of shelves.

Many thanks to Shara McCaffrey for all of her help during my visit, and gratitude to friend, colleague, and inspiration Lisa von Kann, the Library Director.