Lincoln Library Receives AIA Award
At the 2024 Rochester AIA Design Awards, Lincoln Library received a Citation Award for the library’s renovation.
The Lincoln Branch Library, the largest within the Rochester Public Library system, serves a population exceeding 33,000 residents. Positioned in one of the city's highest-need neighborhoods, it caters to a predominantly black and Latino demographic, with a significant youth population. Safety is a paramount concern due to the neighborhood's high crime rates and drug activity in and around the library.
Previously, the library faced challenges such as limited visibility, inconvenient placement of services, a popular yet isolated toy library with restricted hours, and patron safety. The children's area, marked by dark ceilings and aging infrastructure, lacked accessibility and needed improvements. Additionally, the adult area, meeting rooms, and business services were not optimally situated.
Addressing these issues, the library underwent a transformative redesign. The toy library, once secluded, is now integrated into the main library space, enhancing visibility and monitoring. The relocation of the children's area adjacent to the toy library allows seamless movement between the two, fostering a more cohesive environment. A family restroom was introduced in the children's area. Both the children and teen areas are separated from the rest of the library with glass doors.
The adult area was repositioned to the front, featuring a new glass meeting room with enhanced visibility. The business center's strategic placement and proximity to the circulation desk facilitate staff monitoring. The implementation of help/circulation desks in key areas significantly increased line of sight within the library.
The entrance lobby underwent a substantial transformation, streamlining wayfinding and improving visibility. The exterior received a major overhaul, with prominent signage, an inviting entrance, and outdoor event space. Collaborating with the local neighborhood, a mural concept was introduced to the exterior side, further enhancing the library's aesthetic appeal.
The Lincoln Branch Library's redesign addressed safety concerns, improved visibility, and created a more cohesive and accessible space for its diverse community. The integration of community input and strategic changes have transformed it into a welcoming and functional hub for residents.
From Mayor Malik Evans at the Lincoln Library Grand Re-Opening: “We are here today to celebrate the grand re-opening of the Lincoln Branch Library, a library branch that is located in one the five poorest zip codes in New York State. A branch that is sandwiched between two other Zip Codes that are also on that list of the five poorest… We owe them a library that’s more than just open and available. We owe them a library that speaks to them in their own language. Whether that’s literally a foreign language like Spanish, or the universal language of our youngest learners: the language of play. We owe them a library that not only welcomes, but fully embraces all who enter. A library with programs and services that continue to evolve just as the methods of learning continue to evolve. We owe them a library and a library staff that is committed to inspiring hope and nurturing dreams.”
Learn more about the Lincoln Library Renovation (including what it looked like before the renovation):
Project Spotlight: Lincoln Library Renovation
See what the library looks like today: