Architects to present design ideas for Boulder library remodel Thursday night

Architects have developed preliminary design ideas for a renovation of the Boulder Main Public Library, and they'll present them to the public at a meeting Thursday night.

This will be a "check-in" after a previous set of meetings in February for architects from Studiotrope Design Collective to learn about how people use the library and what improvements they would like to see.

Those ideas were incorporated into the plans for the renovation, which includes a redesign and remodel of the children's and teen areas and changes to the media area, the circulation desk and the adult literacy classrooms. The renovation will also enhance the library's fiction, music and movies collection area.

In addition, the library is considering adding a cafe.

Most of the money for the $2.45 million project comes from $49 million in bonds approved by Boulder voters in November 2011.

An additional $690,000 in infrastructure funding will be put toward replacing outdated electrical and data distribution systems, repairing or replacing windows, accessibility improvements, new carpeting and the possible cafe.

Thursday's meeting starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Canyon Theater at the Main Public Library, 1001 Arapahoe Ave., with a short presentation. There will then be four break-out groups focused on different areas, including children's services, teen services, learning spaces and the cafe. Participants can rotate among the groups to give feedback on the areas that interest them.

Library spokeswoman Jennifer Bray said library officials hope people who attended the first meetings will come back to let architects know how well the preliminary designs reflect their wishes.

There will be two more public meetings before the new designs are finalized.

On May 6, there will be a meeting for parents of young children during the 10:15 a.m. storytime and a meeting for young teenagers at 4 p.m.

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Architects to present design ideas for Boulder library remodel Thursday night