Baldwin Library reopens with new entrance
By Lisa Brody
Following a $4.1 million project that has transformed its space and functionality, Birmingham's Baldwin Public Library announced the opening of its new street-level entrance and collaborative space after the completion of its third and final phase of improvements.
The library's $4.1 million project was funded through the library's voter-approved millage and donations to the library's trust. It consisted of a three-phase improvement plan which reimagined and enlarged all of the library's spaces and many of its uses.
The first phase of renovations included the library’s adult services wing and was completed in 2017. Then the youth room was expanded and renovated during the second phase of improvements in 2020.
The final phase of improvements broke ground in July 2023, and was designed to enrich the library experience for patrons of all ages and seamlessly connect the first two renovations together.
Among the key highlights of the project are a accessible street level entrance which is equipped with an interior ramp and passenger elevator; a 2,000 square foot addition to the library housing a new vending cafe and collaboration space; a centrally located information and checkout desk with integrated holds shelving and self-checkout machines; and 3,000 square feet of renovated interior space with new furniture, flooring and energy efficient lighting.
Energy efficient, glare reducing glass windows and an underground water detention system were also added to the library.
There is also a new outdoor plaza and gardens with native plantings.
For those looking for privacy and quiet space, there is an addition of four private study rooms for one or two people. And the Friends of the Baldwin Public Library now have a Used Bookshop.
“I am so excited about offering all this new light-filled space for people to use and work together. Libraries have become third spaces in the past decade and we have been welcoming more and more visitors who are looking to studytogether or work collaboratively. I am happy we can now offer more space for our users to meet and work,” said Jaclyn Miller, Baldwin's associate director.
The library board is working with local artist and muralist Wendy Popko to install a custom 30-foot mural above the new interior ramp that will be installed later this summer.
“Over the past nine years, we have worked diligently to update nearly all parts of this library tomake it more accessible and inviting to our users. It is so exciting to reach the finish line and tobe able to finally deliver a front entrance space that everyone can use. The challenging stairs and steep ramp of our previous entrance was an obstacle to many and that has been remedied with this addition,” said Library Director Rebekah Craft.
MCD Architects in Farmington designed the project and integrated the new glass pavilioninto the building’s 1980 addition, originally designed by Gunnar Birkerts. PCI Dailey of OakPark handled the construction management.