The Baltimore Library Project The Baltimore Library Project is a ...

The Baltimore Library Project The Baltimore Library Project is a cooperative initiative designed to reinvent at least 24 Baltimore City Public School Libraries in impoverished neighborhoods – typically those experiencing the highest dropout rates and lowest literacy levels. Now in its third year, the project is funded by some 30 partners engaged in an interdisciplinary, collaborative effort to design, build, equip, and staff BCPS libraries that all too often lack furniture, technology, maintenance, a librarian and books (!). Research indicates well equipped libraries contribute to significant gains in student learning and bridge gaps between poor and privileged students. The library project includes follow-up research to track literacy data and establish the program efficacy. Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary Media Center The Historic Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary is located in the midst of public housing projects made famous by “The Wire”. The overall building is in poor condition, including a dark, claustrophobic entry lobby. In order to improve community access, the principal and design team decided to locate the library in existing classrooms adjoining the lobby. This location created the potential for greater visibility, accessibility and greater impact for the library. To spatially connect the library to the lobby, existing non-structural brick arches in the lobby were opened into a new transitional space leading to the library entry. The result transformed the lobby into a welcoming space associated with the library, creates a higher visibility from the school entry, conceptually expanding the library to generate interest and intrigue. The design team elected to retain the original wood block flooring. Large historic windows were reglazed with clear glass in place of discolored, translucent lexan, providing daylight, natural light, natural ventilation when practical, and visibility into and out of the library.

Before: Pre-K Classroom prior to library renovations, looking toward Children’s Reading Area

E

St. Entry

Classroom

Classroom

A

St.

B F

New Work Plan New Work Plan Key: A. Entry B. Children’s Reading Area C. Instructional Area D. Circulation Desk

McCulloh Homes

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Elementary School

Druid Hill Ave.

W. Preston St.

Pennsylvania Ave.

C D

Existing Floor Plan

Key Plan

N. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.

Site Plan

G

Street View

E. F. G.

Look-Up Station Small Group Activity Computer Stations

Before: Existing arch at entry prior to renovation

After: Arch at library entry

Instructional Area and Circulation Desk with Children’s Reading Area beyond

Circulation Desk and Look Up Station with Instructional Area beyond

Small Group Activity

Instructional Area

Small Group Activity with Children’s Reading Area beyond

Children’s Reading Area