Evantston Public Library

Critical Commentary

Published in Hauser (Germany), January 1992 

Libraries: Not Only a Place for Books

An extraordinary submission for a competition to build a library in Chicago has been submitted by the New York architect Lester Paul Korzilius. 

In America, libraries are play different roles than here at home. The are more than just the keeper and lender of books. In addition, they are meeting places. Places where people meet people. Not only to talk about books, but more than that, "what’s happening in town." This feeling of belonging together played a major part in the design. Not only is there a large foyer (lobby) for chance encounter, but also an auditorium, a children’s library, displays for magazines and periodicals, as well as a coffee shop - all under one glass roof. 

Korzilius: "We wanted to create a building that makes it possible for all people to access the many choices in the library and community." The roof of the elliptical skylobby is a construction of steel and glass. 

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