Friend Memorial Library
Housed in a 1912 colonial-revival building, the Friend Memorial Library in Brooklin met its need for expansion by replacing a structurally unsound 1950s addition with 1400 square feet of well-ordered space. To keep the atmosphere appropriate for a small coastal Maine town library, we worked closely with the library director and a small committee to design an open, flexible interior within a modest construction budget.
Low stacks in the center of the library are mounted on casters and roll into the tall outer stacks, accommodating up to 60 people. An elegant circulation desk was crafted by a local boat builder. The exterior detailing of the addition reflects the distinctive shingle pattern and divided windows of the original building, while restoring the autonomy of the library’s earlier form.
General Contractor: Jon D. Woodward & Sons
Structural Engineer: Becker Structural
Lighting Design: Peter Knuppel
Cabinetry: Terry Mason
Photography by Walter Smalling
2001 – AIA/ALA Library Buildings Award