ABSTRACT
More than just storage space for books, libraries are important community hubs that serve as centers for learning, self-improvement, and professional development. While there are more libraries in the United States than there are Starbucks, not all Americans find themselves with the resources that libraries offer at their disposal. In fact, cities across the country with reported low literacy and education rates are often found to be in need of more developmental spaces such as libraries, career centers and even community centers. With limited resources and funds, this is not always easy to deliver. With a focus on younger minds in grades K-12 as well as self-improvement seeking adults, this new proposed program combines that ideology of a community center with the services and resources of a traditional library and career center. The name Bodhi refers to the Buddhist term which means "awakening" or "enlightenment".
THESIS STATEMENT
Forgotten or underutilized buildings in smaller cities and towns across the United States can be employed to create a unique program in which can provide assistance and resources to struggling communities, therefore allowing them to reach their full potential.
SITE INFORMATION
Small town downtowns (in municipalities with less than 5,000 people) often struggle with empty storefronts and underutilized buildings. These downtowns were once the hub of commerce and community activities. A full range of retail stores once occupied the main street and served as the shopping center for the community. During the 1970s however, things began to change in these small towns. Regional shopping centers and large discount stores were being developed in larger communities often an hour or less away. With improvements in the transportation system, and increased reliance on automobile travel, more and more small town consumers looked to the bigger town down the road as the place to shop. In operation of that, it is not uncommon nor is it difficult today to locate empty or underutilized spaces in such downtown city centers. These empty or underutilized spaces are full of promise. There are opportunities to rejuvenate communities through the attraction and nurturing of creative building uses. Conveniently located, typical downtown storefront spaces are normally found to be in walking distance for many in small communities, making them ideal in location for an enriching infill community-centered program.
The diagram above illustrates the common characteristics that are found in the type of underutilized storefront proposed as a site for this infill project.
RESEARCH
This project was inspired by research conducted pertaining to literacy around the United States. Examining cities across the country, several stuck out reported with low literacy and educational rates. These same cities lack important community resources such as career centers, libraries and community centers. In result, they therefore struggle to properly and effectively educate their citizens.
The graph above was created to show the comparison of a selection of U.S. cities with differing resources and therefore differing overall literacy rates.
CASE STUDIES
In order to successfully design a space to help communities achieve higher literacy rates, it is important to treat successful cities and existing programs as case studies for research. Libraries have been the driving inspiration for this project and therefore acted as the primary case studies throughout the research process.
Larger, well established libraries such as the Columbus Metropolitan Library were examined in order to learn how the large system effectively serves the Columbus community. Smaller library systems such as the Geauga County Public library was also used to better understand how programs with limited budgets and fewer resources provide for struggling communities, especially in rural settings.
Lastly, several community and career centers were studied. In particular, the Columbus Arts Center is a program that was established in result of creative use of an old, historic building. In that regard it acted as inspiration and provided insight on how nonprofits operate.
Many individuals from all background were interviewed from the case studies mentioned above in order to hear first hand accounts on the successes and struggles of each institution. In addition, I was able to connect and interview with architects and interior designers at local Ohio firms who design libraries and similar government or nonprofit spaces. This was especially valuable and provided me with guidance and perspective on the design process.
PROGRAM
Bodhi Literacy Labs will offer a variety of services suited for an array of ages, needs, and skills. For children, there will be traditional library services offered such as story-time, reading tutoring, homework help, and art classes.
For young adults, there will be programs to support the transitions that teenagers often face. This includes college and career counseling, job search and resume workshops, mock interview services, one on one therapists and counseling, as well as military recruitment and information.
Additionally, there will assistance for adults and young adults regarding common issues people may find themselves facing. This includes in addition to career services and is not limited to adult learning, GED and ESOL studying and testing, social work services, health insurance information, etc.
With such a wide variety of activity, the space will consist of a lot of multi-use spaces. Each age group will have a designated area in which there will be physical collections of books and resources. Additionally, there will be both formal and casual conference spaces, private study rooms, public computers, a public coffee bar and other group meeting spaces. The space is intended to be used as members in the community may see fit.
Above is a program matrix created to help evaluate the adjacency and location of all the different program requirements.
DEMOGRAPHICS
design
Front lobby acts as a comfortable waiting or work spot for all users.
The adult resource space features physical resources, public computers as well as public and private work spots.
The children's space allows for open play with accommodating space for story time, activities, and classes.
The children's space allows for open play with accommodating space for story time, activities, and classes.
Open computer lab provides public computers and access to valuable resources while acting as an open classroom space.
Open computer lab provides public computers and access to valuable resources while acting as an open classroom space.
Formal conference space is ideal for interviews, business activity or private work space.
This space offers patrons personal assistance and information.
The coffee bar allows users to relax and refresh. It also provides space for mock-tail type events.
LARGE CLASSROOM ACCOMMODATES LARGE GROUPS AND FEATURES MODULAR FURNITURE FOR FLEXIBLE USE
CONVENIENTLY LOCATED OFF THE COFFEE BAR, THIS SPACE IS DESIGNED FOR CASUAL MEETING OR WORKSPACE WHILE MAINTAINING PRIVACY.
THIS SPACE IS IDEAL FOR YOUNG ADULTS AND WORKING TEAMS. MODULAR FURNITURE ALLOWS FOR RECONFIGURATION AND OPEN SPACE FOR EVENTS
TWO OF SEVERAL PRIVATE ROOMS, THESE SPACES OFFER USERS PRIVACY FOR PERSONAL WORK TIME, PRIVATE MEETINGS AND INTERVIEWS, ETC.
personal connection
This thesis was inspired from my love for libraries. Prior to studying design, I worked as a librarian in the small town of Chardon, Ohio. It was through this experience that I witnessed first hand the impact that spaces like libraries have on our communities.
For some, libraries are more than just a building full of books, but rather more so a quiet space to recharge, to learn, or even make friends. For others, they act as an escape from toxic home environments, an essential for printing an important document, as well as an alternative to affording expensive technologies.
Regardless, libraries, community centers and programs alike are some of the few public spaces in today's world where people from all backgrounds and of all classes can go to acquire free resources without any expectation of spending money. It is for that reason and many more that I believe they are so valuable to today's society!
