Success Stories

Many projects present unique circumstances with specialized criteria that can make for a challenging scenario. It’s our ability to deliver results in these “unique” situations that make us different.

Glen Carbon Public Library

Situation
The design criteria of this turn-of-the-century coal mining town in south-western Illinois was to incorporate library furnishings that would meet today’s technology needs and blending elements and materials that reflect their past.  The site for the new library was next to Miner Park, Judy’s Creek and adjacent to the historic covered bridge. The design team wanted sophisticated products with finishes that would reflect the warm feeling of the location.

Result
After visiting the LFI exhibit at the Illinois Library Show in the fall of 2003, the library committee concluded that LFI had the type of products that would fit aesthetically, technically and functionally. LFI delivered, set-up and conducted product demonstrations to the design team and the library staff in early 2004. The head of the design team choose Jasper’s new furniture line, Versailles, to serve as the basis for design. He was interested in incorporating design elements into the furniture that would serve symbolic to the community’s history in coal mining. Additionally, the designer was intrigued with Jasper’s knowledge and ability to provide power distribution throughout the furniture.

Biblomodel shelving was the exact fit for all the shelving needs throughout the library. The designer was enthused with the variety of shelves available to showcase the books and media. Biblomodel has an extensive offering of browsing bins and shelves that provide “face-out” browsing of children’s picture books, magazines, CD’s, DVD’s, and paperbacks. The librarians were thrilled with these shelves, and they are getting positive comments from their patrons on the ease to view and browse these items. The shelving ranges were completed with custom wood end panels in a “caramel” finish on Maple that matched the interior woodwork. All the end panels had decorative metal plates attached to coincide with the exposed steel plates and bolts on the exposed wood beams and rafters. Some of the end panels were outfitted with aluminum slatwall for display of new books.

A visit to this library is a must for anyone traveling in the area. The architect and design team accomplished the goal of incorporating strong elements of Glen Carbon’s past into a building that will serve the community well for many years.

Architect: Henderson Architects
Design Team: The Lawrence Group
Library Director: Anne Hughes