OLA Events
Library Space Design Challenge: Blue Mountain Public Library
Education Institute
Library as Place Committee
The first session in the Library Space Design Challenges virtual workshop series! Join other library workers and architects to troubleshoot and find creative solutions together.
Blue Mountain Public Library offers a powerful example of how small, aging community spaces are adapting to modern demands without the benefit of major capital investment.
This 30-year-old building that has seen only minimal upgrades over its lifetime. Despite multiple space studies, few physical changes have been made. The community remains deeply attached to the original architecture, and the municipal Council has been reluctant to invest in significant improvements. This situation reflects a growing reality for many libraries: trying to serve an expanding community within fixed walls. Yet it’s also a story of resilience, creativity, and community pride. Staff have transformed limitations into opportunities, adapting layouts, rethinking workflows, and fostering collaboration in every available corner.
