Pictures | Facts and Figures | Project Highlights

Project Information

Architect:	Newport Collaborative Architects
Building Consultant:	Marjorie L. Judd
General Contractor:	E. W. Burman Construction Company
Location:	Stillwater Redevelopment Zone Main Street Harrisville, RI 02830
Population Served:	15,796
Project Phase:	Completed; opened April 2008
Chair, Board of Library Trustees:	G. Wayne Miller
Library Director:	Sandra P. Mundy
Library URL:	http://web.provlib.org/burlib/ Library Construction Blog (current progress) Weekly Site Reports

Jesse M. Smith Community Library Pictures: October 2007

View the architect's rendering of the completed library.

Completed exterior (click on pictures for larger images)

Main entrance The driveway has been paved and streetlights installed as the exterior work nears completion. See earlier photos of the main entrance area. The site has come a long way since April 2006.	Concourse Upon entering the building, visitors are beckoned into the main concourse, which will include a local history display. A small cafe area and large community meeting room are on the right, while the library is on the left. The far doors open onto the Riverwalk.
Circulation desk A spacious circulation area is on the left as visitors enter the library. Technical services areas, a staff lounge and administrative offices fill the area behind the circ desk. (View from inside the library, looking towards exit.)	Main floor From the circ desk readers have several options: they can go right to select audio and video materials or pick up a magazine and head into the reading area, go straight down to the reference area, or head into the main adult stacks on the left.
Main stacks The adult stack area includes a large picture window overlooking East Avenue and high ceilings. Stacks have been installed and await books. Other furniture will arrive soon. View earlier pictures of the main stacks.	Local history room At the far end of the adult stack area is the local history room, near the reference desk. Material cases are open while they are aired out to get rid of that "new library" smell.
Children's library The children's library is on the second floor. After taking the elevators or the stairs, visitors will find the children's librarian ready to greet them at this spacious desk.	Activity area The activity area for early readers is located beyond the librarian's desk. It includes a reading space for parents and children in a window area that projects out over the river walk.

More pictures: October 2007 | February 2007 | January 2007 | April 2006

For current progress, see the Jesse M. Smith Library Construction Blog or the Clerk of the Works weekly Site Reports.

Facts and Figures

At-a-Glance Comparison

	Before	After
Square Footage	6,200 square feet	24,900 square feet
Shelving Capacity	46,875	78,440
Reader Seats	25	130
Public PC's	6	22
Meeting Rooms	1	3
Quiet Study Rooms	0	3
Parking	12	62

Construction Costs (Projected)

Total Project Cost	$8,111,387
Construction Cost	$5,696,822
Cost per Square Foot	$228.49
Furniture & Equipment	$499,545
Other Costs (architect & consultants' fees, site development, landscaping, etc.)	$1,915,021

Funding

Federal Funds
State Funds	$3,681,721
Local Funds	$3,830,666
Grants & Gift Funds	$599,000

Project Highlights

• New modern library will replace cramped facility at 144 Main Street in Harrisville.
• Project includes a spacious second floor children's library with its own activity room; on the first floor, a young adult area, expanded adult fiction and reference areas, comfortable staff work areas, a community meeting room that will seat 133, and a cafe.
• Community space includes an outdoor river walk and patio and an interior walkway with space to display permanent exhibits depicting the heritage of the Stillwater Mill complex.
• Project is cornerstone of the historic Stillwater Mill Redevelopment Zone, a growth center identified by the Governor's Growth Planning Council. The library is the first phase of a development that will include a senior center, affordable housing, and commercial enterprise. The library will be new construction; other projects will rehabilitate existing structures. The library's exterior design will reflect the old mill buildings that previously occupied the space, and will complement the restored mill buildings.