The new Central Branch of the Elyria Public Library marks the completion of a five-year project to renovate and upgrade the facilities of the entire library system. The new facility houses meeting space, offices for EPLS, a makerspace, two small study rooms, a quiet reading room, a children’s section, a teen lounge and more. More than half of the building utilizes raised access floors with Underfloor Service Distribution.
By placing all services under the raised floor, the library increases the flexibility of the space and futureproofs the facility against unexpected changes in technology or services offered. Modular plug-and-play power in the floor gives library patrons more convenient access to outlets to power computers, phones and other devices. The library system also took advantage of an Underfloor Air Distribution system by installing more than 90 in-floor air diffusers throughout the facility. Conditioned air is delivered at a low velocity through the diffusers and naturally rises to a ceiling return, pulling contaminants and CO2 away from occupants. This process improves the library’s indoor air quality and ventilation effectiveness and creates a more comfortable environment for patrons and employees.
Justin Kaufer, project architect for CBLH, highlighted the benefits that raised floors brought to the space. “The raised floor system allowed us to eliminate all the overhead ductwork,” Kaufer said. “You can relocate outlets and data jacks in the floor as needed. It allows for flexibility if they want to change programming around and move computer stations.”
The new library acts as a gathering place for the community to read, relax, socialize or work. With raised access floors increasing the facility’s flexibility, the library can adapt to meet the needs of the community and employees for years to come.