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Worthen Public Library
South Hero, VT
Two-Story Municipal Library
The South Hero Community Library was located within the middle of the Folsom School in South Hero. This created a problem with patrons of the library entering during and after school hours. In 2015 the school asked us to evaluate security measures to deal with the issue. Simultaneously, we began to investigate other parcels and buildings in the community which could meet the needs of a community library. One particular site option rose to the top, which included a site with a significant grade change to accommodate a two story building with access to grade on both levels. The site had a great deal of visibility within the community, with direct access to Route 2, and it benefits from proximity to the new Community Health Center, and services and dining within the Village District.
A capital campaign was begun using the concept established by WLA for a two story building that could also accommodate a new town office on the lower level, both with access at grade. A large donation was made to the capital campaign, with the caveat that the library be the sole occupant within the building. For this reason, the design was modified to a two-storylibrary, with a smaller footprint.
The building includes an open stack space, reading areas, children’s areas, and computers for use by all, as well as a space for community groups to use off-hours. The building is also “Net-Zero” ready, utilizing high-efficiency cold-climate heat pumps and a robust building envelope. The committee is seeking a donor to provide the photo-voltaics needed to meet the power requirements of the building, thereby eliminating the cost of energy well into the future.
Awards:
Efficiency Vermont’s Best of the Best Award, 2020
