Anadarko Library

Beck Design was selected for the historic renovation of the City owned vehicle/maintenance garage built in 1925, which was listed on the Historic National Register and was part of the downtown revitalization movement. The Historical Society would not allow any major exterior changes. We felt a good design would be one with a high degree of restraint, letting the elements of the original structure contribute to its new use. By leaving the original trusses exposed, the interior reads as one large space. The trusses are highlighted by the use of HID indirect lighting, producing non-glare reading light.

A new entrance from the west parking lot was created, in addition to the existing south entrance. This dictated the location of the circulation desk, providing visual control over the two entrances. The circulation desk is located to provide good sight lines to most of the building so one or two staff members can maintain easy control of the building.The meeting/community room and public restrooms can be used independently of the library proper for after hours use.

The children’s area was once part of the car dealership’s “front-end alignment department”. The vehicle work-pit was turned into a children’s reading pit and provides a focal point to hold the children’s interest and promote library use at a young age.