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| New construction (left) houses the library, with added technology focus: more computers and wide selection of DVDs, reflected in that wing's design. The old building's raising + renovation (right) has space for studying and meeting, open longer hours than the library. The two are connected by a coffeeshop. There's a societal metaphor, a sign of the times, somewhere in there as well. |
When a cluster of 5 libraries were planned to be rebuilt, new additions based on public-input meetings included wifi-zones, children's areas, after-hours gathering spaces, and "enterprise space." I believe that the Green Dot Cafe at Rosa Keller is the only private enterprise that ended up being placed in a library, and I've heard rumors that it isn't open anymore (past 2 times I was there it was closed, no website anymore). While its ominous to see a glorious public space such as a library have such visible private-capital involvement, the presence of a coffeeshop helped make the library more functional for longer work-sessions, and the various groups meeting in the building seemed to appreciate its existence. A nice amenity... will a donation-based coffee-maker work as well?
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| Is the name of this cafe referencing the "Green Dot Plan" (from Nagin's Bring New Orleans Back Commission) that infuriated so many folks thinking their homes were becoming parks and swampland? from nola.com article |
Let's work to finish up our present research, figure out exactly what to do with it, and move to other green-dotted pastures. See you there! Bring pencils/pens and paper, and a computer if you have it... the library closes at 7 and has public computers available until then.