As the one-year anniversary of its opening fast approaches, the Kirkwood Library is proving that one of the English language’s oldest idioms remains as true as ever.
You can’t judge a book by its cover.
Maligned by residents and public officials alike during construction for its “ugly” modern architecture, the $8.9 million library is now a hit with patrons and employees alike.
“It looks fine, there’s no problem with it,” said patron Gary Gutowski, as he and his wife Margie checked out books there on Tuesday. “It’s bigger and more modern.”
It’s a far cry from some of the comments made last year, as the facility was being constructed.
In fact, an entire county council meeting was spent with members lambasting the design.
“That has got to be the ugliest building I have seen in my life,” Councilman Timothy Sheldon (D-Pike Creek) lamented at that January 2009 meeting.
Sheldon, a bricklayer, feared the cedar siding design would be a prime target for graffiti and suggested brick or stucco would have been a better choice. He was not alone, as this newspaper received dozens of letters conveying similar sentiments.
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Kirkwood By The Numbers Cost: $8.9 million Size: 20,000-square-feet Visitors this year: 189,000 Materials circulated: 603,000 Computers stations: 30 |
To date, however, no graffiti incidents have been reported at the library and concern has turned to praise. The building has received two high-profile design awards, the most recent the 2010 International Architecture Award, an exclusive honor given to just 55 buildings and urban planning projects from around the world.
“There was a lot of controversy about the library’s look, but…now, this ugly duckling has turned into a swan, and it has won an international award,” said Councilman Joseph Reda (D-Elsmere), whose district includes the library.
As far as library workers are concerned, Kirkwood ought to be judged like people, where it’s what’s on the inside that counts.
Library Manager Steven Davis said the 20,000-square-foot building is a big improvement over the old 7,000-square foot building, which was built in 1967. It offers expanded computer services, designated areas for children and teenagers and activity rooms, all things the former building lacked, he said.
“I almost think all the bad publicity was good publicity because people heard about it and then wanted to come out and experience it for themselves,” Davis said.
And they have.
In the fall of 2007, the last full quarter the old building was open, Kirkwood served 42,911 patrons. In the fall of 2009, the first full quarter of the new facility, the library served 51,693 patrons. Items in circulation jumped from 146,613 to 172,179 in the same period.
Jim Medaris, who works at the circulation desk, has seen the difference. And while it’s no doubt a good thing the facility is able to serve more people, he said, there’s a downside too.
“It’s a lot more hectic,” he said. “And the old library had something this one doesn’t. It was more personal. It seemed like we used to know everyone. We haven’t lost that completely, but the old library was definitely more intimate.”
