Updating a Classic

The Brown County Central Library was built

in the Brutalist architectural style

popular from the 1950s to the 1970s.

Link to December 19 Green Bay Post Gazette article, "Brown County library's next chapter in works".

Excerpt:
The library, built in 1972 for $3.3 million, is at "a pivotal point," Library Director Lynn Stainbrook said. She wants to try to update its infrastructure and is eager to add amenities that will make it more user-friendly.

"The people of this county have gotten their money's worth from this library," said Stainbrook, who has been on the job since February.

Among the items under consideration:

• Radio Frequency Identification system that would reduce staff handling hours because it scans books as customers take them out and return them.
• A drive-up window where library users can pick up and drop off books.
• A café atmosphere with vending machines.
• The addition of as many as 26,000 books.
• Better signage to direct users to different parts of the library.
• A more obvious entrance to the children's section.
• Better lighting.
• More comfortable seating areas.

The Brown County Public Library was selected as the Wisconsin Library Association Library of the Year in 1980 and 1993