The Ashland Public Library is a Carnegie library, funded in 1903 and built on land donated by Abner Greenwood in 1904. Located in the center of the downtown, the site features excellent pedestrian access to the downtown neighborhoods and public parking across Front Street. Stantec was engaged to evaluate the feasibility of expanding the library on the present site.
In January 2004, Stantec was contracted to perform architectural and design services for the addition and renovation. Working closely with the library program, a two-level addition was designed, with massing articulated to maintain the scale of the original building. The addition design expands the existing building toward the rear. On the main level, the expansion is organized around a skylit browsing area which is the primary circulation path. To the west is the reference room, with generous ceiling height and sufficient afternoon natural light. To the east is the glass enclosed young adults’ room, and across the north end of the addition is the main general stack area for the collections. The original main entrance has been retained, and the original reading rooms restored as browsing and reading areas. A half level flight of stairs brings patrons to a ground floor children’s room with ample daylight and a meeting room seating.
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