Cityscapes. Libraries of the future? With Chicago's new library commissioner taking over this month, one prototype library design offers a solid mix of form and function while another falls short. (Chicago Tribune, 3/1/2012)
Excerpt: The debut of new library commissioner Brian Bannon, who is expected to start this month, gives Chicago a chance to think afresh about its libraries--and how good design can uplift the experience of the millions of people who use them.
Bannon, it turns out, is no stranger to architecture. Before he became chief information officer for the San Francisco Public Library, he was the system’s chief of branches. In that role, he managed a $200 million Branch Library Improvement Program (BLIP, for short) that has so far renovated 16 libraries and built six new ones. The upgrades sparked increases in visits and checked-out materials.
Many of the libraries won LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification, which suggests that Bannon should have no trouble adapting to Chicago’s emphasis on energy-saving green design. He also appears in sync with Chicago’s philosophy of turning libraries from imposing temples of reading into vibrant community anchors.
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