designLAB architects
PROVIDENCE PUBLIC LIBRARY Post Occupancy Study
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1 photo: Molly Lo Photography
CONTENTS 3
RENOVATION
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IMPACT
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IF YOU PIN IT
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BY THE NUMBERS
BACKGROUND In the face of declining financial support from the City of Providence, the non-profit Providence Public Library went in search of alternate revenue sources. Drawing on the success of the Boston Athenaeum and New York Public Library, The Library Trustees re-imagined underutilized reading rooms and library stacks as great architectural assets to be shared in new ways with the community. In a venture with Russell Morin Hospitality Solutions, the library sought to raise revenues to support its many free public programs through events space rentals. During off hours, the newly restored halls are now available for corporate meetings, exhibitions, weddings, receptions, and other community celebrations, adding to the amenities of downtown Providence.
AUTHOR Mary Ann Upton Mary Ann is a partner at designLAB architects. She balances a broad architectural vision with attention to detail in her approach to the design process. She led the historical restoration/transformation of the Providence Public Library.
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RENOVATION In 2012, the Providence Public Library undertook extensive renovations to the original branch at 225 Washington Street, built by Stone, Carpenter, and Wilson between 1898 and 1900. Contemporary life safety codes required the installation of a fire sprinkler system throughout the historic building. Pipes and heads were very discreetly concealed behind the plaster ceilings, coffers, and ornament. Plaster artisans repaired moldings deteriorated by water damage or destroyed during previous projects. In the Grand Hall, the old strip lighting was removed in favor of new globe pendants that better showcase the ceilings and fit the period. Fresh paint with gold accents add to the drama of the plasterwork, previously obscured by an all-white palette. Archways were reopened around the arcade. All the carpeting was replaced with limestone to compliment the marble mosaic floors. The Grand Hall is open for casual browsing and reading during library hours, but is a most dramatic setting for a party. The empty and tired bookshelves in the Ships Room were replaced with new cases that display the Library’s ship model collection, celebrating the maritime heritage of Rhode Island. New paint, respectful lighting, dark wood floors, and plaster repairs ready this flexible room for library presentations, community meetings, or events rental. Similarly, the Providence Journal Rhode Island Room is transformed into a handsome parlor, which now prominently displays the once-hidden Rhode Island Collection. The room is fit with new wood bookcases, freestanding object displays, and formal reading tables. It is open during library hours for public access to the collection or as a quiet reading room. Minimal changes were made to the exterior, but new railings and refurbished doors and hardware improve the streetscape and invite guests once again through the grand entrance.
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Providence Public Library Reading Room Photo: Peter Vanderwarker www.vanderwarker.com
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wedding photo
IMPACT The impact of the renovations to PPL has been significant. Last year, the library averaged nearly one wedding every weekend, and revenue from events represented roughly 10 percent of the library’s operating budget. Before the renovation, the library had almost no capacity to host events or meetings. “It was more small book clubs, small meetings of community partners,” said PPL Executive Director Jack Martin. Today, the library is a popular destination for weddings. In 2016, Conde Nast Traveler named PPL one of the 16 most beautiful wedding venues in the US. The library also hosts events like graduation parties, birthday parties, and corporate events. The headquarters of Hasbro Toys is located nearby and the company frequently rents space in the library for lunches and meetings. “The governor has had a couple of press conferences now,” said Martin. “She announces things here that don’t have anything to do with the library just because it’s a beautiful backdrop.”
4 photo: Molly Lo Photography
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IF YOU PIN IT... The internet has been a boon to PPL’s status as a hot wedding venue. A recent website audit revealed that 4.5 percent of the library’s web traffic came from Pinterest (compared to only 1.5 percent from Facebook). Further investigation showed that if you search for the phrase “Providence wedding venue” on Pinterest, 5 of the top 9 results are for PPL. (This despite that the library does not have a Pinterest account – something that is likely to change soon.)
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BY THE NUMBERS 21: Number of library employees laid off in 2004. $1M: Amount of deficit run by PPL in 2008-2009 FY. $4M: Cost of renovations to PPL’s historic wing. 2012: Year renovations started. 0: No. of weddings or corporate events at PPL before historic wing renovation. 86: No. of events booked last fiscal year. 59: No. of weddings booked last fiscal year. 27: No. of corporate events booked last fiscal year. 8%: Percentage of the profits PPL gets from food and alcohol sales at events. 100%: Percentage of the profits PPL gets from table and chairs rentals. $4,500: Average cost to rent a PPL room for a wedding. $390,660: Revenue generated from events last fiscal year. 10.5%: Percent of last year’s operating budget that events revenue represented. 400: The number of child learners in programs supported by event revenues.
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7 designLAB architects
photo: Jaclyn L Photography
7 photo: Molly Lo Photography