|
Des Moines Central Library Grand Opening
The new Des Moines Central Public Library (Downtown) held it's grand opening on April 8th, 2006. The $32.3 million building opened with great fanfare and attracted over 7,000 people in its first day.
The Central Library includes the following
features and specs:
Click
the thumbnail on the left to see a larger image.
Use your browser's Back button to return to this page.
 |
North Canopy -
The northern entrance to the Central Library, facing Grand Avenue.
April 2006 |
 |
Northeast Corner -
The northeast corner of the exterior.
April 2006 |
 |
East Entrance -
The northern-facing entrance facing a small plaza on 10th Street.
April 2006 |
 |
Northeast Corner -
Another view of the odd-shaped northeast corner of the exterior.
April 2006 |
 |
Temple for Performing Arts -
Sitting Directly next to the Central Library is the Temple for Performing Arts. This view looking south from 10th Street show the screening from the mechanical systems of the Temple.
April 2006 |
 |
East Entrance -
Another view of the east entrance taken along side the copper mesh structure.
April 2006 |
 |
View to the East -
From the eastern entrance of the Central Library, the view of downtown buildings greets those that exit the Central Library.
April 2006 |
 |
Downtown Building-
This 5-story building is located on the corner of Willow and Main St. For frame of
reference, Bayliss Park is directly across the street to the left, Union
Pacific Railroad Museum is caddy corner to the left, and the Council Bluffs
Library is across the street to the right.
April 2006 |
 |
Looking Northeast -
A view from 12th Street looking northeast at the south side of the Central Library. These photos were obviously taken previous to landscaping being installed, but you can see the early framework for the Western Gateway Park that encompasses the Central Library.
April 2006 |
 |
Western Gateway Park -
From the same block of the library, the view to the west through the Western Gateway Park shows the Arlington Apartments and street level retail.
April 2006 |
 |
Water Runnel -
Looking northeast at the Central Library, you can see one of the signature parts of the Western Gateway Park under construction, the 4 block-long water runnel.
April 2006 |
 |
Runnel and Reflecting Ponds -
The water from the runnel forms into a reflecting pond to the west of the Central Library.
April 2006 |
 |
Central Library Main Entrance -
On the south side of the Central Library is the main entrance to the structure, fronting the Western Gateway Park.
April 2006 |
 |
Library Plaza -
Another small plaza is tucked between the Central Library and the Temple for Performing Arts. The Plaza includes seating, art work and movable chess tables.
April 2006 |
 |
Looking North -
A view of the northeast corner of the library, looking north to 801 Grand.
April 2006 |
 |
Library Plaza -
A view from the south looking north of the plaza between the Central Library and Temple for Performing Arts. The plaza is now fully furnished and forms a neat little niche park to hang out in.
April 2006 |
 |
Library Sign -
Looking east down the sidewalk of Locust Street, you can see the sign near the main entrance of the Central Library.
April 2006 |
 |
South End -
The library exterior looking north from Locust Street.
April 2006 |
 |
Western Gateway Park-
Looking northwest from Locust Street, you can see the west end of the Central Library, and some of the early plantings of the Western Gateway Park.
April 2006 |
 |
South Main Entrance -
A photo of the south main entrance of the Central Library.
April 2006 |
 |
Open Sign -
The interactive digital "Open" signs are located on the north and south sides of the Central Library. Depending on the hours the library takes, the electronic message board can let library patrons immediately know if the library is open or closed.
April 2006 |
 |
Bike Racks -
Looking northeast at the glass canopy installed on the Temple of Performing Arts, the Library Plaza is showing early signs of being a nice pocket to hang out in.
April 2006 |
 |
North Entrance -
The ramps that lead up to the main north entrance along Grand Avenue.
April 2006 |
 |
Grand Avenue Entrance -
A view of the north entrance canopy along Grand Avenue.
April 2006 |
 |
Grand Avenue View -
Looking east down the sidewalk along Grand Avenue, the library pulls right up to the property line.
April 2006 |
 |
North View -
This view of the Central Library looking southeast best shows the odd shape the Central Library has taken.
April 2006 |
 |
Pick-Up Window -
The north entrance along Grand Avenue features a drive-thru pick-up drop-off window for quick service.
April 2006 |
 |
Northwest Side -
A view of the northwest corner of the library looking southeast. You can see Nationwide Insurance's new headquarters building in the background, with the early formations of the Western Gateway Park to the right.
April 2006 |
 |
Library Corners -
Looking southeast reveals more odd angles on the library and a view of development that has been spurred as a result of the Western Gateway Park and other investments in the area.
April 2006 |
 |
The View Southwest -
A view looking southwest from south entrance of the Central Library, looking down the path to 12th Street and Locust Street.
April 2006 |
 |
Looking East -
Taken right along the wall of the Central Library is a nice view looking east at the downtown skyline, showing off the shiny, copper mesh.
April 2006 |
 |
Water Runnel -
The end terminus of the water runnel, looking westward to the Western Gateway Park. Notice the chalk outline on the bottom of the reflecting pool that has taken the odd amoeba like shape of the Central Library.
April 2006 |
 |
Entrance Canopy -
The first view of the entrance canopy from the southwest entrance.
April 2006 |
 |
Entrance Canopy -
Etched blue glass wall panels are engraved with the names of donors and City leaders.
April 2006 |
 |
Peek Inside -
From the covered entrance canopy on the south end of the building, this is the first view inside of the main library structure.
April 2006 |
 |
Sliding Doors -
A view to the east, when exiting the east entrance canopy.
April 2006 |
 |
City Seal -
A bronze metal Seal of the City of Des Moines has been placed in the main entrance canopy. |
 |
Enter Please -
The sliding doors entering the core of the library.
April 2006 |
 |
Lit Circuits -
An interesting feature on the main floor of the library shows the technical wiring skeleton of the computer technology illuminated through a glass floor.
April 2006 |
 |
Meeting Rooms -
Inside the heart of the library are some meeting rooms behind a very brightly painted wall.
April 2006 |
 |
Lounge Area -
More bright lime green walls adorn a lounge area near the meeting rooms.
April 2006 |
 |
Stairway-
The minimalist stairway to the 2nd floor.
April 2006 |
 |
Stairway-
Looking down the core of the stairway, more bright green is revealed.
April 2006 |
 |
Stairway-
The odd-shaped stairway to the 2nd floor of the Central Library.
April 2006 |
 |
Exit Sign -
You can easily tell that the Central Library was built in the modern-minimalist style of architecture, and is reflected by the concrete ceilings and exposed utilities. An interestingly thin glass exit sign is definitely something different.
April 2006 |
 |
Book Racks -
A view of the stacks and stacks of book racks in the sprawling Central Library Facility.
April 2006 |
 |
Book Racks -
The worst shade of yellow imaginable provides an interesting 1960's-like twist on the stacks of book racks.
April 2006 |
 |
Computer Room -
The main media center of the library is packed on opening day. A testament to the changing of the times from written media to electronic media.
April 2006 |
 |
Sitting Area -
A sitting area on the 2nd floor of the Central Library shows that copper mesh is transparent from the interior.
April 2006 |
 |
Book Racks -
A view of kids lost among the sprawling, new library.
April 2006 |
 |
Windows-
Chairs have been positioned to look out over the Western Gateway Park from the transparent windows.
April 2006 |
 |
Copper Mesh -
The transparent copper mesh filters too much light from entering the building and damaging the books, but still provides decent view to the outside world.
April 2006 |
 |
Wind Propellers -
The popular, spinning art sculptures that sat in the front yard of the old Central Library have transported to the Western Gateway Park to viewed by library patrons.
April 2006 |
 |
View of 801 Grand -
You can see 801 Grand very clearly from the northern side of the Central Library.
April 2006 |
 |
View of the North Side -
A photo looking out of the northern windows of the library shows the concrete incline to the under ground parking garage.
April 2006 |
 |
View Northwest -
Looking out from the 2nd floor of the Central Library shows the properties along the Western Gateway to be developed in the future.
April 2006 |
 |
Ceiling Light -
Another minimalist touch is the energy efficient lighting that isn't overbearing with the natural light pouring into the library during the day.
April 2006 |
 |
Busy Opening Day -
The crowd checks out the 1st floor of the Central Library near the main entrance and librarian desks.
April 2006 |
 |
Opening Day -
Staff is shown helping the new patrons, standing out by wearing bright green shirts.
April 2006 |
 |
Central Library Timeline -
A large board displays interesting visuals of the timeline of the Central Library, including construction photos. Scale models of the Central Library are shown in the foreground.
April 2006 |
 |
Movies, Movies -
A rack of DVD's in the interactive media section of the Central Library.
April 2006 |
 |
La Mie Cafe -
The south end of the Central Library features a coffee bar and french pastry shop called La Mie.
April 2006 |
 |
Looking South -
Looking south from the Cafe is the Nationwide Insurance Building.
April 2006 |
 |
Large Meeting Room -
The largest meeting in the Central Library.
April 2006 |
 |
Outside Seating Area -
The exterior seating area on the south end of the Central Library, just outside of the Cafe.
April 2006 |
 |
South Ramp -
Stepping out of the south entrance, the ramp down leads library patrons to Locust Street.
April 2006 |
 |
Anti-Skateboard Rails -
Pieces of metal have been inserted into flat surfaces to prevent skateboarders from damaging the structure.
April 2006 |
|
