July 9, 2012
Caption:South Mountain Community Library (Photo by Bill Timmerman)
South Mountain Community Library (7050 S. 24th St.) is one of five academic libraries selected as New Landmark Libraries for 2012 by “Library Journal.” The New Landmark Libraries project, introduced in 2011, identifies trendsetting library buildings across the country. In 2012, the journal solicited submissions for U.S. academic library projects completed between 2007 and 2011.
South Mountain Community Library is a joint venture by Maricopa Community College District and Phoenix Public Library, serving the students of South Mountain Community College and the public. According to the online version of “Library Journal,” the library is “just plain gorgeous inside.” One of six judges that selected the library states, it’s a “jewel [that] ties beautifully to the context from inside out…[and] seems to resonate with the environment it serves.” (View high resolution images of the library)
From a national pool of nominations, the panel of judges chose five New Landmark Libraries and two Honorable Mentions. The awards are based on overall design and construction excellence, response to community context and constraints, sustainability, functionality, innovation, beauty and delight, and more.
South Mountain Community Library was designed by phoenix-based richärd + bauer architecture, llc. Their team is also responsible for Desert Broom Library, Harmon Library and the interior design for Cesar Chavez Library in the Phoenix Public Library system.
The current honor follows on last year’s recognition of three Phoenix Public Library facilities named New Landmark Libraries: Palo Verde Library (4402 N. 51st Ave.), Cesar Chavez Library (3635 W. Baseline Rd.) and Agave Library (23550 N. 36th Ave.).
Phoenix Public Library is a system of 16 branch libraries and the Burton Barr Central Library. For more information, call 602-262-4636 or visit phoenixpubliclibrary.org. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/phxlibrary and “like” us on Facebook at facebook.com/phoenixpubliclibrary.
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