We understand the ins and outs of libraries—how they function not only as vital public spaces, but also as workplaces for librarians and other team members. In this video, principal Ann Dilcher, AIA, LEED AP, APT RP, and senior architect Anthony Harris, AIA, LEED AP, NOMA, share how thoughtful public library design and engagement can embrace a community's individual needs and recognize new opportunities.
Our deep experience includes work in libraries across the country: in urban, suburban, and rural areas; on school and university campuses; and with libraries connected to community hubs, like apartment complexes. From historic Carnegie libraries to brand new ones, our team knows what it takes to create high-performing libraries that stand the test of time.
Heading to the Public Library Association (PLA) 2026 Conference happening April 1-3 in Minneapolis? Meet up with our team at a session moderated by Ann on Wednesday, a tour of the Arvonne Fraser Library on Thursday, and our booth on all three days. Ann, Anthony, Alfredo Davalos, Chuck Wray, and Shannon Wray are looking forward to connecting with you.
Swing by Booth 220 and say hello:
- Wednesday, April 1 | 3pm-6pm
- Thursday, April 2 | 9am-5pm
- Friday, April 3 | 9am-2pm
Want to learn how the viral Fairfield Library carrel came to be? Check out this video to hear from Shannon firsthand.
Creating Thriving Libraries
Video Transcript
ANN DILCHER
We love working with libraries because we see them as critical community hubs.
ANTHONY HARRIS
Libraries are truly community focused, place-based institutions and a successful library or an effective library, I like to think, it can’t be picked up and put some other place and work as well. It’s really based on the history, the needs and wants, and the aspirations of the communities that they’re in.
“While there are certain spaces that are a constant, the wonderful thing about libraries is that each one is uniquely tailored to the community it serves” – Shannon Wray
ANTHONY HARRIS
We’ve developed long-standing relationships with librarians and library administrators, and we’ve worked with them in a number of capacities as designers, as collaborators and advisors, and even as volunteers.
ANN DILCHER
It’s important for us to understand what the community wants the library to provide for them.
ANTHONY HARRIS
The community engagement process is something that we really value here at Quinn Evans. It’s really integral to our approach and how we think about serving community needs.
ANN DILCHER
We really think it’s important to meet the community where they already are, so that may be some programs within the library, but it also means getting outside of the library and meeting people at a farmers’ market or a street fair.
ANTHONY HARRIS
We listen to what we hear from librarians and then from patrons and community groups, and they tell us the sorts of activities and the things that they like to do in their library.
“Through our design process, we embrace each library’s vision and partner with them to improve services, strengthen programming, and navigate available resources.” – Alfredo Davalos
ANTHONY HARRIS
We’ve worked on new ground-up construction libraries, libraries in old buildings, and libraries in historic Carnegie buildings—which for me, as a library enthusiast, I get really excited about.
ANN DILCHER
Our team loves working with historic library buildings because we really see the possibility, and we know these buildings need to be transformed to serve their communities for the next 50 or 100 years.
“It is tremendously rewarding and frankly a privilege to help create buildings that have the potential to change people's lives in such positive ways.” – Chuck Wray
ANN DILCHER
We really look at, what does it mean to work in a library, and make that a lot of the focus of our design work. We understand sightlines, safety, and security that are paramount within a library, what it means to be at a service desk and feel connected to your peers, to know who is coming into the library and out of the library. We also focus a lot on the back-of-house spaces and what things can we add in there to support the workflows of the team.
ANTHONY HARRIS
We see ourselves as stewards not only of public libraries as an institution, but of individual libraries and the library buildings themselves. We really value and take serious social infrastructure and our role in designing really impactful, beautiful public spaces.
