Science Forums 2

[Mercedes Benzene]

I use my library a lot--mostly for studying and school work.
It's a great place to meet friends to work on school projects, they've got just about one of the largest collections of books I've ever seen at a public library, and sometimes I go there on the weekend to do homework since *home* can be rather distracting.

There's a bunch of computers, but there's also free wi-fi so I can bring my laptop and just use that.
This library that I speak of is brand-new and replaces a library that had inadequate parking and shared a building with county offices. It's one of 2 libraries close to my house. Here are some details from the website to answer your questions about the facilities:

LIBRARY DESIGN & FEATURES:
The new Germantown Library is a two-level structure conforming to existing contours in the Town Center. The front blends with the urban setting and the rear portion faces parkland. The surrounding area is enhanced with trellises, ramps and walks. The main entry area has natural light from the windows in the rotunda. The main library areas have high, sloped ceilings done in warm wood planking.

The library is on two floors – one opening to the plaza shared with the BlackRock Center for the Arts and the other opening to the parking lot.
The children’s room, circulation functions and staff workroom are on the ground floor.
A Children’s Quiet Study Room
A Children’s Group Study Room
A Discovery Center
A Children’s Program Room
Specialized furniture & fixtures for children
The adult area is on the first floor.
Two Quiet Study Rooms
Two Group Study Rooms
Two Tutor Rooms
A Computer Lab
The young adult area is on the mezzanine that overlooks the children's room.
Specialized seating
Specialized materials
Specialized decor
SIZE: 44,193 gross square feet. The former Germantown Library, in the UpCounty Regional Services Center, was approximately 16,000 gross square feet.

PARKING: 160 parking spaces behind the building, plus 22 shared, on-street parking spaces.

SITE: 19840 Century Boulevard, next to the BlackRock Center for the Arts. The site includes space behind the library for a park that includes a natural wetland. The urban park is being developed by the Maryland-National Capital Park & Planning Commission, Inc.

BOOKS & MATERIALS: In addition to the collection of approximately 120,000 volumes that moved from the former library, an additional 60,000 items were purchased for the new library.

TECHNOLOGY: 37 PCs are available for public use. Wireless Tech (Wi-Fi) is available to anyone who brings their own properly configured equipment. The building has energy efficient glass, heating, and cooling.

ARCHITECTS & INTERIOR DESIGN: Lukmire Partnership, Inc. (LPI) – Greg Lukmire, Bill Evans & Shaun Curran; The Studio of Sandra Ragan

ENGINEERS: CIVIL: A. Morton Thomas & Associates, Inc. STRUCTURAL: Adtek Engineers, Inc.; MECHANICAL & ELECTRICAL: Mendoza, Ribas, Farinas & Associates

CURRENT CONTRACTOR: St. Paul Travelers Insurance Company/Whiting-Turner Construction Company

ORIGINAL CONTRACTOR: Pantech Construction Company, Inc. through 12/05

FUNDING: Approximately $19M, includes design, site work, construction, furniture & equipment, and funds to enhance and enlarge the collection.

Gotta love it!