Libraries have been an integral part of many communities in the United States for the last hundred years. From the Rockefeller endowed libraries to the Library of Congress, millions of Americans have utilized these facilities for recreational and educational needs. Now in the digital age of the 21st Century, how does a library facility adjust to suit the changing needs of the community?

As publicly funded buildings, libraries need to be as energy efficient as possible. Utilizing green building principles in design makes sense both environmentally and financially. Having a LEED certified major publicly used building can help introduce community members to green building principles.

Eligibility
The competition is open to all students of architecture and design in North America (and members of the AIAS not residing in North America). Entries will be accepted for individuals as well as team solutions. Teams should be made up of no more than four students. Submissions should be principally the product of work in a design studio, building materials class, design charrette, or a person’s spare time.

Libraries offer a connection to knowledge, innovation and education. Libraries have traditionally connected members of a community to the great world around them and served as a gathering place. This program calls on designers to continue this achievement.

This competition is considered an “open” competition where participants are welcome to select their own site location. The library program is designed to serve a population of 25.000. As you select your site, whether rural or urban, keep this community size in mind. Thorough research on the site location, along with a comprehensive understanding of site conditions will be necessary to successfully complete this program. The program encourages competitors to develop strong ideas about sustainable design with regard to the site and building.

All designers should consider the site and building from an accessibility standpoint. Consideration should be given to ensure that designs comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act. For more information designers should consult with the US Access Board at www.access-board.gov or 800.872.2253.

The objectives of this competition are:
- To research, respond to and highlight the unique aspects of designing a library that serves the selected site and community.
- To build knowledge about materials, products, and installation (primarily Kawneer architectural aluminum building products and systems that can help earn LEED certification points).
- To design a sustainable facility utilizing USGBC LEED building standards.
- To design a facility that looks to the educational, cultural and service needs of the community both now and into the future. - To encourage designers to utilize sustainable and universal design principles for development of both the building and site.

Registration
All information and materials needed to successfully participate in the competition are contained in this program document. There is no entry or submission fee required to participate in the competition for AIAS members. There is a 15 Dollars submission fee for non-members. Competition entries may be the work of an individual or team.

The registration deadline for the competition is 03 November 2008. The AIAS will email you an acknowledgement of receipt of your submission, please keep a copy of your registration for your records as verification.

Program Overview
The basic principles when planning for a library:
- Location to insure maximum accessibility for the community
- Clarity of design concept (collections, seating for readers and staff space require adjacencies to each other that are clear to the user
- Ease of supervision by library staff
- Provision for future expansion (addition of compact shelving within existing footprint and/or building expansion.
- Provide sound control for the building, as well as security and climate control to protect the book collection.

The program gives minimum recommendations for size. All designs should consider the program requirement fulfillment for overall function of the spaces. Furniture and fixture location are not required in final drawings.

Secondary programmatic functions that must be incorporated into the design:
- The facility must be made energy efficient, utilizing Kawneer sustainable products.
- A portion of the facility must serve the community with social/community centered spaces.
- The facility must be wireless.
- The facility must be secure.
- Facility must have convenient parking (if required of the area).

Total estimated minimum floor space 15.000 s.f.
a. Book Collection (minimum) 50.000 volumes
b. Space for Book collection 5.000 s.f.
c. Reader space (minimum of 75 seats) 2.250 s.f.
d. Staff work space 1.500 s.f.
e. Toilets (As required by local code for size of building)
f. Circulation and Utilities 10%
g. Estimated additional space required for special uses and miscellaneous 6.250 s.f.

Additional Areas
One of the main challenges of this competition is to design a library that will serve the needs of the community now and in the future. Many community libraries today were built before the advent of computers and digital technology. The minimum estimated floor space required for the building is 15.000. This is your opportunity to look at what else a library can be and what else a library should be in this century.

LEED Certification
The USGBC LEED for New Construction Rating System is designed to guide and distinguish high-performance commercial and institutional projects, including office buildings, high-rise residential buildings, government buildings, recreational facilities, manufacturing plants and laboratories. Utilize Version 2.2 as your guidelines towards creating a sustainable building.

Other Notes
Depending on the selection of the site, some or none of these design elements are required in the design of this facility. All site improvements are designed to help in the overall performance of the building and must meet local building and zoning codes.

- Vehicular Access Access from main route.
- Pedestrian Access Easy pedestrian access from public transportation.
- Bicycle Access Consider approach to site via bicycle.
- Parking Provide on-site parking based on local codes - make provisions for ADA accessible parking as required by guidelines.
- Bicycle Racks Consider bike storage.
- Site Lighting Consider lighting with regards to community experience and safety.
- Storm Water Consider ways to mitigate storm water run-off.
- Trash Collection/Recycling Consider site access for trash outside storage and removal.

Awards
First Prize: 2.500 Dollars
AIAS Chapter: 500 Dollars

Second Prize: 1.500 Dollars
AIAS Chapter: 275 Dollars

Third Prize: 750 Dollars
AIAS Chapter: 200 Dollars

Three Honorable Mentions (for each): 500 Dollars

Competition Schedule
03 November 2008: Deadline for competition registration
03 December 2008: Deadline for competition submissions (postmarked)
17 December 2008: Review by the Jury (AIAS office, Washington, DC)
19 December 2008: Results posted on the AIAS Web site
29 December 2008 - 01 January 2009: Display of winning entries at 2008 AIAS FORUM in Denver
Spring 2009: Publication of winning designs in Crit
30 April - 02 May 2009: Display of winning entries at 2009 AIA Convention and Design Exposition in San Fransisco