The Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County is hiring Group 4 Architecture, Research + Planning, Inc. to assist in establishing guiding planning principles to be used to create a framework for its facilities planning needs. Group 4, based in San Francisco, California and recognized as experts in the field of strategic facilities planning for public libraries centered on community and stakeholder engagement, will provide services to engage the public, staff, library leadership and community stakeholders on the immediate needs at the Main Library and Price Hill Branch.
Group 4’s body of work includes extensive work with the Dayton Metro (OH) Library, Multnomah County Library in Oregon, Johnson County (KS) Library, Jefferson County (CO) Public Library as well as libraries in Carlsbad, California and San Francisco, CA. Robust input from Library staff and the community will be an essential piece of the planning process. Details of community and stakeholder meetings are being finalized and announced soon.
The Main Library construction project began in April. Carpeting and brick flooring on all three floors was replaced and the first-floor restrooms are in the process of being renovated. That work is scheduled to be completed in September.
The Price Hill Branch closed July 3 due to significant damage to the ceiling. The branch is temporarily relocated in the Price Hill Recreation Center. The Price Hill Branch was one of the branches in line for extensive renovations, including adding accessibility for people with disabilities, using funds from a 1-mill levy approved by Hamilton County voters this May. Price Hill is now the priority accessibility project due to the ceiling collapse.
