Comments on: New Central Library Plans ‘Shelved’ http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2113 Rob Goodspeed's blog Tue, 24 Apr 2012 13:48:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Matthew Gilmore http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2113/comment-page-1#comment-35365 Matthew Gilmore Thu, 12 Jul 2007 18:47:38 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/?p=2113#comment-35365 The article in the Examiner was rather bizarre, since much of the renovations being promoted have already been completed (at least at MLKML). The landmarking of MLKML is regrettable. MLKML has never functioned well as a library and the allocation of interior space is not conducive to the needs of a library--either for bookshelves, study space, reference interaction space, staff workspace, and simple travel around the library. And the abomination that the AIA/Cooper plan was would only have made things worse (sorry to mince words). The article in the Examiner was rather bizarre, since much of the renovations being promoted have already been completed (at least at MLKML).
The landmarking of MLKML is regrettable. MLKML has never functioned well as a library and the allocation of interior space is not conducive to the needs of a library–either for bookshelves, study space, reference interaction space, staff workspace, and simple travel around the library. And the abomination that the AIA/Cooper plan was would only have made things worse (sorry to mince words).

]]> By: Ray Milefsky http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2113/comment-page-1#comment-34475 Ray Milefsky Mon, 02 Jul 2007 20:39:31 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/?p=2113#comment-34475 I don't mind the ugly dingy building as much as the urine-stenched back stairs and tiny dark elevators you're forced to take to go upstairs. A proper library always has a grand staircase. I think Mies van der Rohe was really dissing DC when he bestowed that ugly black mass of rusting steel on us. I don’t mind the ugly dingy building as much as the urine-stenched back stairs and tiny dark elevators you’re forced to take to go upstairs. A proper library always has a grand staircase. I think Mies van der Rohe was really dissing DC when he bestowed that ugly black mass of rusting steel on us.

]]> By: Alexander M. Padro http://goodspeedupdate.com/2007/2113/comment-page-1#comment-34167 Alexander M. Padro Fri, 29 Jun 2007 01:40:04 +0000 http://goodspeedupdate.com/?p=2113#comment-34167 The HPRB voted to approve the landmark designation for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library this morning. This was an action I've been working towards for seven years. The building is now protected from demolition, and the exterior and first floor public areas are protected from inappropriate alteration. In addition, the HPO staff will develop design guidelines for renovations or redevelopment that respect the elevator cabs, fourth floor director's suite (the only spaces in the building that still have original furniture), and other aspects. Congratulations to the DC preservation and library communities for their efforts leading to this historic day. The HPRB voted to approve the landmark designation for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library this morning. This was an action I’ve been working towards for seven years. The building is now protected from demolition, and the exterior and first floor public areas are protected from inappropriate alteration. In addition, the HPO staff will develop design guidelines for renovations or redevelopment that respect the elevator cabs, fourth floor director’s suite (the only spaces in the building that still have original furniture), and other aspects.

Congratulations to the DC preservation and library communities for their efforts leading to this historic day.

]]>