Renovation

Phase Two: Frequently Asked Questions

The Baldwin Public Library, which serves the communities of Birmingham, Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, and Bloomfield Hills, began an expansion and renovation of its Youth Room on Thursday, August 15, 2019. The project is expected to be completed by early June 2020.

What will the renovation achieve?

• 40% expansion, or approximately 2,000 square feet
• New furniture and carpeting
• Larger play area, story room, and seating capacity
• Make the entire area ADA-compliant, including the book shelves and the bathrooms
• Modernize and increase the capacity of the bathrooms
• Add display cases and a large aquarium, as well as a separate room for strollers and coats
• Expose the brick of the original 1927 building
• Clad the room in heat- and glare-reducing glass from floor to ceiling
• Add an outdoor children’s terrace and garden

Will the first floor restrooms be accessible?

The restrooms will be closed for renovations from December 2019 through January 2020. While the restrooms are closed, Library users will need to use the restrooms in the lower level and second level of the Library.

What professionals are handling the project?

• Architects: Robert Ziegelman, John Gardner, and Karen Swanson of Luckenbach Ziegelman Gardner Associates
• Construction: The Dailey Company
• Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment: Library Design Associates
• Building Management: The City of Birmingham

What impact will the project have on the streets outside the Library?

• No streets will be closed.
• Effective August 15, the parking spaces and sidewalk on the west side of Bates between Merrill and Martin will be fenced off. Half of the parking spots and the sidewalk on the south side of Martin will be fenced off.

How will the work affect Library services?

• A temporary Kids Corner is available in the Adult Services Birkerts wing. A temporary Teen Scene is set up in the Claudia Ireland Room. The former Youth Room is closed to the public.
• Story Times will be held in the second-floor Jeanne Lloyd Room.
• Lower-level meeting rooms and the second-floor Jeanne Lloyd Room are accessible. The Delos Board Room is not available during the project.
• The handicap ramp will be open and accessible throughout the entire project.
• Public computers, printing, and copying are available. The Youth iPads are not available during the project.
• Online databases and e-materials are available.
• About 35,000 Youth Services materials are in storage, although the highest-demand items are shelved in the Kids Corner. Youth Librarians will be ordering new items throughout the duration of the project.
• If you’re unable to locate an item, a librarian can help you obtain it through interlibrary loan.

What local libraries will allow me to check out materials with my Baldwin Library card?

The following local libraries allow residents of Beverly Hills, Bingham Farms, and Bloomfield Hills to check out materials:

• Auburn Hills – 248-370-9466
• Berkley – 248-658-3400
• Clawson – 248-588-5500
• Farmington – 248-553-0300
• Franklin – 248-851-2254
• Oak Park – 284-691-7480
• Rochester Hills – 248-656-2900
• Royal Oak – 248-246-3700
• Southfield – 248-796-4200
• Troy – 248-524-3538
• West Bloomfield – 248-682-2120

How can I learn about renovation updates?

Sign up for occasional e-mail updates.

Phase Two: Process

In 2017, in preparation for Phase 2 of its long-range building vision, the Baldwin Public Library issued an RFP for the conceptual/schematic design of a Youth Room expansion and renovation. Luckenbach Ziegelman Gardner (architects) and Karen Swanson (interior designer) were selected to do the work. The Library presented its plans to the Birmingham City Commission in January 2018, and in May 2018 the Commission voted to begin pre-funding the project in fiscal year 2018-19. The City issued an RFP for the construction of the Youth Room in March 2019 and the City Commission selected The Dailey Company for the construction project. The project construction will begin on Thursday, August 15, 2019 and will be completed by June 2020. The cost of the project is estimated at $2.7 million.

Phase 2: Goals

• ENHANCE Baldwin’s ability to serve the children of our community by providing developmentally appropriate learning spaces for children from birth to sixth grade
• SATISFY needs and requests shared by parents, caregivers, children, and staff that have been collected through a variety of forums
• INCREASE value that the Library delivers to residents, businesses, and visitors of all ages
• ENSURE Birmingham remains competitive against other communities who have invested heavily in their libraries
• STRENGTHEN Birmingham’s civic center by providing an exterior that complements the existing building, Shain Park, The Community House, and the city campus

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Related Documents:

• RFP for Conceptual/Schematic design for Expansion/Renovation of Youth Services
• Fanning Howey’s 2011 conceptual/schematic design for proposed renovation of Library
• Library building program developed by George Lawson
• Vision for Future of Library Building, adopted by Library Board in 2014
• Long-Range Building Vision 2016
• RFP for Design Development and Construction Documents for Expansion/Renovation of Youth Services

Donate 

Donate online via Paypal
Thank you for supporting the Youth Room Expansion & Renovation project. All donations are tax-deductible. Donations of $1000 or more will be recognized on an Honor Roll Donor Plaque to be hung in the new Youth Room.

To pay by check or cash, download the BPL Fundraising Pledge Form and mail or deliver it to:

Baldwin Public Library Trust
300 W. Merrill
Birmingham, MI 48009

Naming Rights Opportunities

Naming rights enhance your family’s or company’s reputation demonstrating strong support of libraries and early education. Your contribution to modernizing our Youth Room is a vital part of our community’s success. As a naming rights sponsor, your name or logo will be prominently featured on a plaque near your named item and on the Youth Room Honor Roll donor plaque recognizing all major donors.

Phase One: Adult Services

Phase One was completed in May 2017, thanks to the following team of talented and dedicated professionals:

• Architects: Luckenbach Ziegelman Gardner
• Interior Designer: Karen Swanson
• Construction: The Dailey Company
• Furniture, Fixtures, Equipment: Library Design Associates