A great new library for Champaign

Drawing of new library seen from the east

The new library has two stories for public use, plus a partial third floor with staff areas. It sits atop a lower level with a FriendShop for used books and plenty of well-planned room for expansion.

At the east end of the building is the Robeson Pavilion with three meeting spaces and the Latte Da! Cafe with patio, seen above.

Design highlights

Along with lots of comfortable seating and other improvements you’ve been asking for, the library has many new features:

  • An enclosed quiet study room
  • Drive-up book return (no need to get out)
  • Five group study rooms
  • The Nate & Lillie Story Room, a dedicated children’s program room
  • The Dodds Family TeenSpace, a unique teen area
  • Latte Da! Cafe and patio

Environmentally friendly

Environmentally friendly design will minimize our impact on the environment and create a healthy, pleasing environment for patrons. This includes:

  • Plenty of natural light
  • Sensors to turn lights on only when they’re needed, reducing costs of both lighting and AC
  • Efficient glass (argon gas insulation, heat reflecting low-E coating)
  • Sun shading structures on south and west walls
  • High efficiency HVAC systems
  • Many trees in parking area

Just right for Champaign

Architect Carol Ross Barney says our new library has a Champaign kind of feel, striking a balance between being forward-looking and comfortably familiar.

First Floor Plan

(http://champaign.org/about_us/construction_news/design/first_floor_plan.html)

Second Floor Plan

(http://champaign.org/about_us/construction_news/design/second_floor_plan.html)

Third Floor Plan

(http://champaign.org/about_us/construction_news/design/third_floor_plan.html)

Lower Level Floor Plan

(http://champaign.org/about_us/construction_news/design/lower_level_floor_plan.html)

Bird's eye view of new library and parking

Bird’s eye view of the new library and parking lot; at the bottom is Green St.

Print-Friendly Floor Plans

This one-page handout, PDF, shows our first and second floor plans.

Improvements:
Old vs. New

Square feet
Old – 40,000
New – 122,600

Seats
Old – 100
New – 431

Computer Stations
Old – 19
New – 87

Public Meeting Rooms
Old – 1
New – 5

Books, CDs, DVDs, etc.
Old – 248,000
New – 285,000

Parking Places
Old – 115
New – 190

Drawing of new library teen area