With a new brand, the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library is unveiling plans for a revamped downtown library along with upgrades to many of its branches throughout the county.
Against the backdrop of 37 library branches, two mobile units, and 7.2 million materials borrowed, the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library is embarking on a study to look at how it uses its spaces. COO Angela Marinucci said starting with the downtown Central Library, they want to make sure the library is a welcome place.
“The space utilization project really is re-imagining how we're using the central library to best serve the entire public for the Buffalo and Erie County public library patrons,” Marinucci said. “So, we are looking at what do libraries look like today, and what will they look at in the future? We want public input. We want staff input. We want to be thinking about circulation to our 37 branches. How can we make that the most efficient out of this central library hub?”
One of the first steps is a potential $10 million investment bringing solar panels and green roof the downtown library. The green roof will also include outdoor seating. The full study won’t be complete until next year, but Marinucci said suggestions will be phased in.
“One of the things with library and with society in general is we're moving so quickly, right? We went to audio books and podcasts and digital books, and what does that look like for the future,” Marinucci said.
The Central Library building, which stretches across two downtown blocks, first opened in 1964. The new study follows one that was conducted in 2012 and led the way to a series of upgrades including recording booths and installing more computers.
The downtown library is not the first branch to have a rooftop, green garden and outdoor reading area. The Crane branch on Elmwood Avenue will have its rooftop green garden and outdoor reading area opening by early summer.
“You forget how amazing it is to have access to over 3 million different resources at your fingertips,” Marinucci said. “To go on Libby and request something, or set up an appointment, or to use our recording studio downstairs.”
As for its new tag line, “Profoundly Public,” it plays the library’s mantra of open access and free expression for all along with the system being the “people’s cultural institution,” as Marinucci puts it.
The Buffalo & Erie County Public Library system is the second largest in New York, with more than 3.2 million items in its vast collection.
