In modern times, libraries are secular spaces that offer many of the same services to the public that a church would. They are a safe space of afterschool gathering, places to study and learn, places to borrow resources like digital fabrication tools and event space. The new proposal will combine the three buildings into one open public space with a large central extension creating much needed public gathering space for the community. 

        The concept for the project is based around the primal influence of light and fire in defining how we as a community come together, connect, and share information. The large gathering space is influenced by the primal impulse to gather around light and fire. The influence of fire and light is reflected in the use of weathered metal, woods and stone textures that suggest a burning hearth and the combination of inky blues contrasting against warm tones reflects the idea of a glowing fire in the depth of night. During the day, natural light filters in from the perforated skin of the angular amphitheater. At night, the extension glows from within creating a beacon that calls the community to gather. 
           The library is divided into three main activity zones: the amphitheater and library stacks on the ground floor and the skill-building area on the second floor. Each space is able to remain active separate from each other allowing for all three zones to be used at the same time for completely different programming. This allows the library to maximize its available service to the community. The stacks and amphitheater are separated by large pivot doors that allow for quiet separation when the gathering space is in use while also opening the space up as casual seating and reading space. The second-floor skill-building space contains three sub-divided areas that allow for a range of activities like digital fabrication and short term space rentals. All valuable equipment can be securely stored in built-in shelving. Further storage for moveable tables and chairs allows for greater flexibility in the space.