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State-of-the-art library planned

with future growth in mind.

BILL CARROLL
Special to the Jewish News

T

ITN

7/ 4
2003

24

he new Southfield Public
Library building,
described by some as the
"Taj Mahal" of city
libraries, has opened its 185,000
books to the public.
When proposed, the library's size
divided the city politically. It took
three millage votes before the struc-
ture was approved in 1999, but once
the architect and builder got the
OK, they came up with a stunning
piece of architecture on Evergreen
Road in Southfield's civic center.
The $36.8 million, state-of-the-art
building has 127,000 square feet of
space, featuring a 65-foot glass
tower with a meeting room inside of
it — giving the appearance that the
room is floating. It also boasts three
outdoor terraces; a wide winding
stairway; three Pewabic tile fire-
places; terrazzo floors; 250 public-
use computers; a cafe; drive-through
book pickup and return service; and
a huge children's book and play area,
complete with a sleeping dragon
that comes to life when children

read to it.
The library was officially dedicat-
ed June 15 with a ribbon-cutting
ceremony and open house. Earlier,
Southfield Mayor Brenda L.
Lawrence checked out the first book
— Profiles in Leadership by Alan
Axelrod.
Her mayoral victory in 2001 has
been attributed partially to her sup-
port of the final version of the
library. While all city officials
favored construction of a new
library, some opposed the size and
scope- of it — hence the opponents'
"Taj Mahal" tag.
Lawrence said the "new library
provides the community with a
world-class facility that will encour-
age reading and a lifelong love of
books. The library embraces progress
in the city, and embraces our chil-
dren because it starts them reading
at a young age."
Eunice Rose, vice president of the
Southfield library board and the
only Jewish member of the five-per-
son appointed board, countered crit-
ics by asserting that the building is
perfect the way it is now, and is just
right for the future needs of the city.

"Our daytime population increases
to about 150,000 people because of
the many offices and high-tech com-
panies along Northwestern Highway
and other parts of the city and vari-
ous schools," she said. "They will
put it to good use. The old library
was too crowded and outdated. This
building provides users with 21st-
century technology.
"Our Jewish people especially love
learning and love culture," she said.
"All of the features at the new
library will give them plenty of that.
We envision much greater use of the
facility by all segments of the com-
munity. The library board sees it as
becoming a true community center.
"The new library already is put-
ting Southfield on the map," she
added. "Calls are coming in from
around the United States and even
other countries from librarians who
have heard about this beautiful new
place and want to know more about
it."
There is no separate Judaica sec-
tion in the library, but City .
Librarian Douglas A. Zyskowski
pointed out that books on many
Jewish topics are spread out

throughout the
Sculpture of
building.
children's books
"The new library
greets library
has a certain magic
visitors.
to it," he said,
"like the magic you
feel when you open
a new book and a story unfolds. The
books will satisfy the curious and
aid those who are learning new sub-
jects."
The library has about 1,000 data
ports, voice and video connections,
two 14-seat computer labs, advanced
audio-visual equipment with satellite
downlink and broadcast capability,
public study rooms equipped with
computer and cable TV connections,
a Southfield History Room, an audi-
torium and conference room and
several statues and sculptures.
The children's area includes a
space station room, storybook castle
with book throne and dragon, read-
ers' tree house and "Imaginarium"
garden.
The eye-opening architecture is
the work of Phillips Swager
Associates of Dallas. The firm has
designed about 60 libraries around
the country.