We told you back in 2019 about the new Uptown Library project, but the time has finally come. The old main library downtown is set for demolition this summer and the new building will be under way shortly after. The expected completion date is in 2026. The old building was closed in 2021, so that means 5 years without an Uptown Library branch. If the library was just a place to check out books, that wouldn’t be a big issue, but it is also a gathering place for the community, a place to take continuing education classes, access WiFi, meet an author, and much more.
There have been long delays on this project, mainly due to complexity of design, rising cost of materials, and coordination with the adjacent Seventh & Tryon project. These delays have come at a cost, around $42 million so far, but cost overruns could reach much higher due to supply chain issues. This will take the total cost of the project somewhere around $196.5 million, up from the $154.5 million originally projected.
The original Uptown Library building was built in 1903. That building was replaced in 1956 with a more modern building. In 1989, an $11 million makeover of the building doubled its size and made it into the structure we see for a few more weeks. This new building will have 115,000 square feet of space in 5 stories above ground and one level below ground. There will be two outdoor terraces, an extensive lobby, a vendor-operated cafe, two immersive theater spaces, advanced technology, flexible meeting space and meeting rooms, and a main entrance on North Tryon Street.
The new library will join the ranks of many major cities that have turned their libraries into showplaces. For example, Austin, TX recently updated their main library and it is an architectural marvel that functions beautifully for the community and draws tourists as well. Calgary in Canada also updated their library to be a central part of the city that serves the city as well as looks like a place you want to spend a lot of time. Charlotte even has a great example of this with the ImaginOn Children’s Library which has amazing design as well as functionality for children of all ages.
These new reimaginings of libraries as hubs of innovation means that there could be exciting new offerings. Many of the new libraries include new services like technology lending libraries, maker spaces, 3D printing capabilities, recording studios, tool lending libraries, and much more.
While the current location is out of commission, the books are still in circulation at other branch locations. Many of the other functions of the library have been moved to the branch locations as well including education and community building. Some temporary locations such as nearby churches and empty storefronts may also be used for special events. The library system has tried to make sure that the temporary locations are on major transit lines so they can still be easily accessed by all of the community.
