Libraries offer a unique delight and a singular challenge for lighting designers. They represent a rare intersection of needs, with users ranging from decorated academics to playful children – which means designing lighting for libraries gives us the opportunity to truly listen to our audience. As publicly-funded spaces, libraries run the risk of becoming cluttered from a design standpoint, or of leaving a certain user demographic out of the picture in favor of others. Our mission when designing for libraries is to create a fundamentally balanced space that puts in the work for its community, from first glance until the books are due.

Libraries have always served as hubs for community engagement, but as technology advances and the social landscape shifts, that function is becoming even more prevalent. In Appleton, Wisconsin, the public library stands as a notable town landmark and destination. From the start, the GGLD team knew that the people of Appleton treasured their library, and that it brought a special sense of pride and tradition to the community. Our goal was never to change how the Appleton Public Library operated, but rather to equip the space to fulfill every need that modern library users might ask of it.

We focused on creating an environment that encourages gathering, with special emphasis on the children’s area, where we introduced colorful glowing niches perfect for exploration and play. Throughout the building, our design utilizes subtle layers of light to separate the open-plan layout into distinct areas and support wayfinding. Following architectural cues, our team cleverly integrated lighting around the edges of skylights and walls to achieve balanced illumination at all hours. We also lit the exterior of the library with great care, using strategically scaled lighting to bring each visitor’s experience down to a human level as they enter the building. The goal of our design was to cultivate a space that not only welcomes reading and research, but social events and community-building as well.

Every project must begin by examining the specific needs of the audience, and designing for libraries is no different. A particularly interesting example of this designer-audience collaboration can be found inside the University of Richmond’s Boatwright Memorial Library. Following a renovation that enclosed a popular cafe courtyard, our team ensured the space was inviting and comfortable by developing a design inspired by our years of experience in hospitality lighting. Layered illumination creates a warm, welcoming gathering space that honors the building’s striking collegiate Gothic architecture while simultaneously highlighting its airy updated design.

Elsewhere in the library, the school’s geology exhibit required an entirely different approach. Featuring all-glass cabinets filled with colorful specimens, this museum-like area called for a minimalistic design. We worked closely with the architect to develop a floating ceiling and sleek recessed track coves, reinforcing the space’s modern aesthetic while letting the displayed bursts of color take the spotlight.

Designing for the Boatwright Memorial Library required us to keep both the university’s past and future in our sights. From the building’s classic facades to its ultra-sleek geology exhibit, we never assumed we knew the best approach. Instead, we considered our audience of students and faculty, investigated the composition of the renovated space, and devised lighting solutions that cohesively supported the library’s unique mix of hospitality and museum features.

Because they are publicly funded, libraries sometimes require our team to operate inside tight budget constraints. When designing for the Chicago Public Library’s West Loop Branch, we viewed the project’s humble budget less as a limitation and more as an opportunity to get creative. Working with the existing space, our design takes full advantage of the beautiful architectural materials, introducing cove lighting that grazes the historic brick walls. By complementing the already welcoming interior architecture, our design infuses the library with an undeniable warmth that invites Chicagoans inside, incentivizing them to read, study, and build community within its walls.

One of the most exciting parts of designing for libraries is the opportunity to watch the future unfold. GGLD is partnering with Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill on the upcoming revitalization of the Glencoe Public Library, where traditional bookshelves will soon be accompanied by a gallery space featuring local artists. Also on the boards is Baskervill’s renovation of the Library of Virginia, which will emphasize the building’s function as a public archive and knowledge resource, inviting visitors to discover the history of Virginia through a museum-style exhibit. For both projects, our team will draw on our wealth of experience in hospitality, museum, and library lighting design to craft the perfect illumination for these spaces’ many functions.

Glencoe Public Library, rendering courtesy of Skidmore, Owings, and Merrill

Above all, libraries are a reflection of the communities they serve, and we at GGLD are continually struck by the kindness and compassion tucked away inside each one. These vital institutions aren't just buildings that hold books – they are publicly funded, community-built, and maintained through a shared desire to provide resources to every person who walks through their doors. It is always an honor to learn what traditions ground these communities, and what hopes for the future drive them forward. Finding a solution that fits each library, helping them turn the page to whatever comes next, is one of the great joys of our lighting practice.