Glen Oaks will get a new, swanky library in spring 2013

Image source: Marble Fairbanks – more artist renderings of the library can be found here

The NY Daily News reports on a “swanky new library” that will open this coming spring in Glen Oaks (255-01 Union Turnpike – GMAP), at its location not far from the Queens County Farm Museum. The library used to be housed in a two-story brick building from the 1950s (photo here) and was demolished in 2010; its needs had outgrown the old building.

The $17.1 million, 18,000 square foot building will have a “three-level edifice with a glassy exterior” containing the circulating library itself, as well as a “cyber center” (public computers), reading lounge, outdoor space, and community meeting spaces.

They also aim to have it Leadership in Energy and Environment Design (LEED) certified, and are seeking Silver certification by using radiant floor heating and high efficiency glass. Architectural and design firm Marble Fairbanks designed the building and had this to say:

“We’re excited about bringing an expanded library to engage the neigborhood with more open space and resources. We believe it will engage the community in a new way.”

An interesting tidbit, “As the building area required is double that allowable by zoning, half of the interior spaces are placed below grade.” Here is a bisected shot of the visualization of the building – note that many of the stacks (comprising half the building) will be below ground:

Image source: Marble Fairbanks

Frank Giattino, principal at Summit Construction (the people building the library) says they are going to build right up to the property line on all four sizes of the building.

Like many libraries in Queens, there will be a 24 hour exterior self-service check in for books.

The library at Glen Oaks joins Woodhaven and LIC as neighborhoods in store for new, state-of-the-art public libraries.

Modern library set to open in Glen Oaks this spring [NYDN]
Renovation of Queens Library – Glen Oaks Branch [ENRNew York]
Get ready, Woodhaven – your library is getting a makeover [QNYC]
Hunters Point library dedication ceremony is today in LIC [QNYC]
Glen Oaks Branch Library [Marble Fairbanks]