Blanche S. Benjamin Branch Library

Renovation & New Addition Fact Sheet

History of the Project

On November 7, 2007 the voters of Greensboro approved a bond referendum to renovate the existing interior and increase the size of the Benjamin Branch Library. The total cost for the project is projected to be $1.1 million.

The original 6,200 square foot building opened in 1970 as one of the Greensboro Public Library's first branches. It was designed by Edward Loewenstein (1913-1970), who is considered one of North Carolina’s most inventive architects of the post–World War II era and who left an amazing legacy of commercial and public buildings.

Project Design Team

Steve Freyaldenhoven, AIA – Architect
TFF Architects and Planners, LLP, Greensboro, NC
Patrick Deaton, AIA – Library Space Programming
J. Hyatt Hammond Associates, Inc., Greensboro, NC
Nancy Borum, IIDA – Interior Design
ID Collaborative, Greensboro, NC

Project Schedule

January 2008: Library renovation space program completed
October 2008: Benjamin Branch temporarily closes for renovation
November 2008: Ground breaking
January 2010: Projected opening date for renovated branch with new addition

Highlights of the Project

The library’s new addition is approximately 1,600 square feet and will accommodate an expanded children’s collection and reading area, as well as a new 600 square foot public meeting room. The exterior materials of the addition will match the existing brick and include large south-facing windows that provide views of the site’s wooded area.

The building’s original entrance location will be maintained and new automatic doors will be provided. A book deposit slot will be located on the exterior of the building, convenient to the main entrance and parking area. The existing public restrooms will be renovated to accommodate handicapped accessibility, and all interior finishes will be new.

As part of the library’s renovation and modernization, the original clearstory windows above the main reading area will be uncovered and restored to allow additional natural light into the interior. The new interior finishes and furniture will be selected to work with and complement the building’s architectural style and be compatible with the historical importance of the original design.

Adult Collection

This area will be within the main public space and contain staff service points, new library materials, A/V, periodicals, fiction, non-fiction and computers. This area is designed to be flexible for future changes to layout and technology. The original high windows around the building perimeter will be maintained to bring natural light into the building’s interior. Additional computer stations will be provided in various groupings throughout this main space. There are a total of 23 public access computer stations plus wireless access throughout the library for personal laptop computer access. The furniture provided in this area will be a combination of comfortable lounge chairs for quiet reading and group seating for small discussion areas.

Young Adult Area

This area is separated from the Adult Collection by low walls and shelving and consists of a group study area and three public access computer stations. Bench seating is provided in the corner area for small group discussions.

Children’s Area

This area in the new addition is 1,200 square feet. It is separated from the other collections but is designed to be seen upon entering the library. There is a separate self-check terminal and two public access computer stations. Large glass windows with bench seating below are along one entire wall with views to the site’s wooded areas. The flooring is designed to accommodate children’s activities and seating with comfortable pillows.

Meeting Room

This area is designed to accommodate group meetings and discussions as well as children’s activities. The floor to ceiling windows that look out to the site’s wooded area are equipped with blinds to control the room’s lighting. Chairs and tables are provided and designed for flexible room configuration.

Public Art

The original outdoor garden sculpture, commissioned when the building opened and executed by artist Ogden Deal, will be relocated to the Meeting Room entrance vestibule. This area has large glass windows that can be lighted at night, providing views into the vestibule from the exterior.