Pictures | Facts and Figures | Project Highlights

Project Information

Architect:	ai designs ltd.
Building Consultant:	Douglas Pearce & Associates
General Contractor:	Lusi Construction
Location:	525-537 Hope Street Bristol, RI 02809
Population Served:	22,500
Project Phase:	Under construction Estimated completion: July 2008
Chair, Board of Library Trustees:	Elizabeth G. Brito
Library Director:	Joan C. Prescott
Library URL:	http://web.provlib.org/BriLib/

Rogers Free Library Pictures

April 2008 (click on pictures for larger images)

Original Rogers Library The interior of the Rogers Library has been completely gutted, with one window carved into an entrance (below) that connects the new building with the old. The old skylight has been opened up, allowing plenty of light for the reading room that will be located in this area.	Hope Street entrance Visitors can enter the library from Hope Street through doors (left) that bring them into the glass connection between the new library and the old library. The brownstone exterior of the old library is now an interior wall in the entrance. View the original steel framing of the connector.
Reusing the old furniture building The columns framing the entrance into the old library were recycled from the exterior of the old Bristol Furniture Company. See earlier pictures of this connector.	Circulation area The circulation area has been sheetrocked and the workroom behind is now visible. In the soffit above the future desk, decorative glass from the old library has been reused and will be backlit, creating a connection between the old and new. See previous work on the circ area.
Adult stack area The stack area on the first floor is taking shape. This view faces the Thames St. side of the library; the circ area is located to the right in the foreground. See the steel framing of the stack area.	Reference area The reference area will occupy the Hope Street side of the second floor, with picture windows overlooking Bristol's main street. The reference desk will be located in the foreground; the reference area workroom is visible to the left.
Harborside entrance Doors have been added to the Harborside entrance; visitors will be able to park in the municipal lot on Thames Street. See previous work on the Harborside entrance.	Children's library The children's library is located on the lower level and is accessible through the Harborside Entrance. The librarian's desk is located on the right in the pale green area. The windows will provide lots of light from the afternoon sun.

More pictures: Jan. 2008 | Oct. 2007 | Feb. 2007 | Pre-construction (2006) | Groundbreaking

Facts and Figures

At-a-Glance Comparison

	Before	After
Square Footage	6,243 square feet	28,357 square feet
Shelving Capacity	38,885	115,672
Reader Seats	42	158
Public PC's	9	50
Meeting Rooms	0	2
Quiet Study Rooms	0	2
Parking	6	41

Construction Costs (Projected)

Total Project Cost	$9,914,414
Construction Cost	$7,391,200
Cost per Square Foot	$275 new $210 ren.
Furniture & Equipment	$863,727
Other Costs (architect & consultants' fees, site development, landscaping, etc.)	$1,659,487

Funding

Federal Funds
State Funds	$3,889,270
Local Funds	$3,826,788
Grants & Gift Funds	$2,198,357

Project Highlights

• 22,114 square foot addition will be built on the site of the old Bristol Furniture Company and joined with the existing 6,243 square foot library. The two buildings will be connected in a manner that allows the two areas to work together seamlessly.
• New section of the building will blend with Bristol's historic downtown district.
• All areas of library services will be expanded. The addition will house the new children's room with its own program room, a new 80 seat meeting room, a new young adult area, quiet study rooms, a local history room, and expanded areas for all collections, including adult fiction, non-fiction and reference. There will be ample seating and work areas.
• The existing library will be renovated: the first floor will house the Portuguese collection, periodicals, large print and audio-visual collections with a casual seating area, while the lower level will house administrative and staff areas.
• Two new entrances will be created: one on the Thames Street side of the building and one on Hope Street leading into the connection between the new and old buildings.
• A parking lot on the Thames Street side of the building will provide dedicated library parking for 39 cars.
• The garden area and trees behind the library will be preserved.
• All areas of the library will be accessible to people with disabilities, including both entrances.