Glass rails, bright orange trim and floor to ceiling windows are just a few of the new features of the Vinton library but its new structure, designed by HBM Architects, offers more than just aesthetic improvements. Safety and access are at the forefront of its new design.
With its metal and black brick exterior in place, the library, on schedule to open in the fall of this years, is already making a visual impact within the town. This doesn’t necessarily make the library monolithic, though, as Roanoke County Library Director Diana Rosapepe pointed out: “The library has a great feeling of light and warmth, with high ceilings, big windows and nice views.”
Twelve-foot-tall windows of glass and metal wrap around from Pollard Street to the library’s entrance, providing plenty of light for the children’s area up front while a nineteen-feet-tall floor to ceiling window brings plenty of light into what will become the teen area on the back left corner of the building. Fritted windows containing glass with small ceramic dots buffer the sunlight and reduce heat by scattering and diffusing the light.
Upon walking in through the entrance area, the open nature of the new building is evident with a direct line of sight from the circulation desk areas to all the main areas of the library including the children’s area, adult collections and its various study rooms. Of particular interest on the ground floor is a planned “maker room” near the southeastern corner of the bottom floor that will contain a 3D printer.
In addition to the 3D printer and a computer lab with 15 stations, the library will allow for easy personal technology use. “It might not be readily apparent but there is a strong infrastructure to support technology so people can bring their own laptops, tablets or other devices”, said Rosapepe.
The bones of the library are already apparent with the front ceiling being painted and steps already installed. Openings have already been cut out of the drywall and brick for the front book drops. What lies ahead in the near future are the floor details to make the building habitable. “We’re talking about tile, carpet and millwork,” said construction administrator Steve Doyle.
One of the more modern additions to the new libraries will be glass rails and gates on the top floor that will allow clear lines of sight from the planned mezzanine coffee shop so that a parent may monitor their child from above.
Besides its collections, the library also has the capacity to serve as a gathering place, with two study rooms and a meeting room downstairs and a larger conference room upstairs with capacity for 120 seats. Rosapepe sees the library as being a center for the region.
“It will be a focal point, where people can meet, attend programs, find information or just spend time. We hope to be part of community events as well.”
That surrounding community is already taking interest. Vinton Mayor Brad Grose stated that the library will be an “economic engine” for Vinton: “It has been well established that the existing library attracts over 200,000 visits per year. I believe because of the many new library services, the downtown Vinton location will attract even more visitors,” he said.
While admitting that construction has reduced nearby parking for the moment, the volunteer workers at the Advancement Foundation’s Charity Cottage Thrift Shop across Pollard from the library appear to look forward to the new influx of people the library could bring. “We definitely expect an increase in traffic,” said Charity Cottage volunteer David Gasink.
In addition to increased traffic, James Privitera of Earthworks Pottery Studio behind the library hopes that it could lead to new opportunities. The Blue Ridge Potter’s Guild, of which he is a member, has been holding their annual show and sale at the Vinton Library and he said he hopes that relationship could be built upon along with possible new joint efforts such as “possible workshops and demonstrations”.
As the library starts to take shape, anticipation seems to rise amongst the town and county government but with the realization that there is still much to do.
“The further along construction gets, the harder it seems to be to wait for the building to be finished,” said Rosapepe. “The library staff still has a lot of projects to work on before the grand opening, though, so we’ll stay busy.”
– Aaron Layman
