Savage Library

I posted these pictures back in April, but I'm posting them again!  I'm cleaning out the 3,000 pictures on my phone.  *sigh*  Some are being printed out as prints and put into an album.  Some are being deleted, and some, I'm posting on here just to make certain I've got a copy of them somewhere!  Enjoy!

Back in the spring, I stopped in at the Savage Library in Howard County.  When the kids were little, I used to bring them here for story time.  Especially Little Miss.  The librarian just "clicked" with my daughter, and she adored her and made many friends!  The library was remodeled several years back.  The building had been shared with the Senior Center.  A new Center was opened in the area, and the library expanded into the other half of the building.  I really do like the use of space.  What was a very dark, closed space has been opened up, lots of windows have been added, the service desk expanded, more computers are available, and the teen section is pretty phenomenal.  Even better, they have added a large meeting/auditorium space where the senior center was located.  It's a very light and airy space.  One thing I've noticed while visiting the Howard County Libraries is that they seem to be using a consistent color palette throughout their buildings.  So, while the buildings might be different from place to place, they have a consistent color theme that carries across all buildings.  I'm not sure how I feel about this - because it takes away the individuality of each building - and some of their buildings were designed by internationally renowned architects.  I like the individual personality of each building - I feel it reflects the community.

In the meantime, come venture through the library with me!  I found a new tool on my iPad that allows me to write on the pictures.  I've written on some of them, and I've blacked out faces.  (Just in case if you find yourself wondering what the heck is going on in the pictures....)

Reading corner back in the older children's area.

Check out desk straight ahead.  Picture books to the left.  Computers to the right.

Love that long run of shelves!

The carpet is great!  I think I've seen it in other HCL buildings. 

I entered by the check out desk, and turned left.  Wall is on my left - computers to the right, YA ahead.  See the stools on the left just before the open doorway?

THIS is the stools that were up ahead on the left.  Nice laptop bar!

The YA section.  I like the fact that there's a designated eating space right here.  No sneaking food in the stacks, no empty containers of food to find in hidden corners. 

And this is the hallway to the multi-purpose room.

More YA.  I'm very impressed with the size of the YA collection!

STILL in Young Adult.

MORE in the young adult section.

Looking back towards the children's section.  Years ago, the wall that divided the two halves of the building was just past the laptop bar - right where you see the wall jutting out.   AND, there were bookshelves everywhere, literally stuffed everywhere.

Savage Library

I was down in Howard County recently and decided to stop by the library.  I went to a branch that was renovated about 3 years ago.  When the kids were little, I used to bring them over to this branch for story time.  (What fond memories i have of this place!). At that time, the building was split between the Senior Center and the library. The library now has sole possession of the entire building. Every square inch if this additional space is utilized to excellent advantage!

Coming up to the entrance, the building looks much as it did when my kids were little.  

But then you walk inside and WOW!  The building has been lightened and brightened.  Paint and carpeting has been lightened and updated.  There are more seating areas and a LOT more computers!

This area used to be dark & foreboding. It was filled with tall overstuffed bookshelves.  The wall that divided the two buildings was right in the middle.  

Laptop bar bridges the area between the adult and teen sections. 

Teen area, above & below.  I love how big the space is!

The cafe area (below) has plenty of seating and snack machines. It is the one place in the library where you are welcome to sit and eat. 

Computer area in the middle of the old, adult section of the library. 

More study space back behind the computer area. 

A view across the library up to the circulation and reference desks. Back in the day, circulation was in that space on the left where the computers are now, and reference was buried off to the right where the adult computers are. 

Right about where the person is standing - that's about where the old Reference Desk was located. 

Beautiful combined Reference and Circulation desk! I live how curvy it is - and I adore how much space they have to work with!