This slide show is enhanced content for the Summer 2013 Forum Journal (Preservation in the City). To learn more about Preservation Leadership Forum and how you can become a member visit: http://www.preservationnation.org/forum

1. Public Libraries
Enhanced Content:
Iconic Urban Buildings

2. Once considered cities’ great centers of
knowledge and beacons of public good, urban,
historic public libraries face several 21st century
threats:
• Upgrades to materials conservation
technology often require specific
physical space and temperature
controls that require difficult
adaptations
• Widespread government cuts to public
library budgets affect ability to
maintain the building
• Low-scale buildings occupy valuable
real estate space surrounded by
skyscrapers
The Chicago Public Library (1897) was rehabilitated in1994 for use
as a cultural center which offers free music, dance and theater
events, films, lectures, and art exhibitions. Read the full story here.
Photos: Michigan Avenue facade, Darius Bryjka; Tiffany glass
dome, Lindsey Wallace.
Challenges

3. Left: The Washington Public Library (a 1903 Carnegie Library) was rehabilitated in 2003 to house the
City Museum, now the Historical Society of Washington, D.C., and features a research library and
exhibit space. Read the full story here. Photo: Lindsey Wallace
Right: The Main Library building (1917) in San Francisco was rehabilitated in 2003 for the Asian Art
Museum, one of the most comprehensive collections of Asian Art in the world. Read the full story
here. Photo: Kaz Tsuruta
“A library outranks any other one thing a community can do to benefit its people. It is a never
failing spring in the desert.”
– Andrew Carnegie, Scottish-American industrialist and philanthropist of over 2,500 libraries worldwide
Case Studies

4. The website of the American Library
Association (ALA), the oldest and
largest library association in the world
features many resources devoted to the
physical space of today’s public
libraries.
Urban Libraries Council (ULC), a
membership organization of the leading
public library systems in the U.S. and
Canada.
Historic Districts Council’s Campaign to
save Carnegie libraries, focuses on
New York City’s five boroughs.
Carnegie Libraries: A Future Made
Bright, a Teaching with Historic Places
Lesson Plan offered through the
National Park Service.
Brooklyn Public Library (1912- 1941) in Brooklyn, N.Y. , won a
Partners in Preservation grant to restore its front doors in 2012.
Read the full story here and here. Photo: Brooklyn Public Library
Additional Resources