Conceptual Design Model

Public Comments about the model and the plan

September-December 2008

"Suggest another meeting room on lower level, possibly where “future” is."

"Please arrange the meeting room—or possibly that “future” space—to include a piano and space for local concerts. Have you ever attended a concert in the Wellfleet Public Library? They have an excellent arrangement."

"It would be helpful to have a scale reference. How big is the new structure compared to the old building (indicated on the model) (parking lot looks too big."

"I strongly urge the location to remain where it is—central to the Town Common, Town Hall, etc. Design seems large given our population!"

"Great plans—Please keep library where it is in the real town center."

"I find the lighthouse on the side very kitchy. You might save some money by removing that. In the margins a note: Agree!"

"Please keep Library where it is. Design horrible. Looks like a cow barn. Don’t need fake lighthouse. Whole concept has nothing to do with Eastham, MA. Cross between shopping mall in Vermont and a cow barn/milking shed."

"Including energy alternative solutions for lighting, heating, etc. would be such an important part of this plan. It would be a start, an example to the community and the case that using environmentally friendly solutions are important to our local environment and a step toward the big picture."

"Keep the library as it is!"

"?lighthouse looks like a “silo”/Library like a barn. Is this cape Cod or the mid-west. 1. Like the idea of patio. 2. Solar panels to provide heat/electricity. 3. Wind power/wind turbines? 4. Why several small buildings with halls/wings make one attached building. 5. Cost for the “lighthouse” & need for this for the money."

"Initial reaction: un-Cape like; looks like a dairy barn."

"Ugly, why change? Does look like a dairy barn, what’s with the mini silo?"

"Keep the library in this location."

"Please keep our library in this location. I agree that the [silo—here a picture drawn] is not necessary."

"Love this location. I understand that the “lighthouse” houses the elevator which may be mandatory? I’d rather see a tasteful circular building than a rectangular building. It does seem strangely long (referring to the building). I would love to see a larger patio/sitting area in back. Thanks. PS. Thank you for keeping the original façade."

"Do not move this building please!"

"Add a glass box teen group work/study in the center where their activities are highly visible. See Warwick Public Library, 600 Sandy Lane, Warwick, RI."

"I like the plans—wonderful to take advantage of the water view—good job."

"I’m pleased the pond is part of plan, I also like the architecture."

"This design appears to have a lot of open unused space because of the high peaked roof—is this energy efficient? The Brewster Library has a high roof but it doesn’t seem efficient—there’s no way to vent the heat it collects in the summer. Also, the San Francisco Public Library in their re-design created an architecturally vast space and found there was not enough space for collections. As best I can tell your roof slope does not face south so it looks like this would not accommodate solar panels? Personally I like the current library a lot—it invites you in through the front porch and the pillars echo the pillars on Town Hall. Any new design should be energy efficient, not release nitrogen into the pond, and still be very inviting. What about bumping out the back of this building a few feet?"

"Great Ideas—I like the plans—include energy (green) alternative—for all—environmentally friendly."

"Energy Solar panels/wind turbine; Lack of windows on the “barn like” structure on/along the roof. Lighthouse ? looks like a tower (“Tower of London” we have lots of crows) that “English look”??? How much to heat the “Lighthouse?” How about a wind mill, provide energy in keeping with the Town? Parking : All that “Parking Spaces.” Been to library at “Peak Season”; yes, I do have to walk a little to get to the library & I’m not right at the “Door Step.” Drainage: Can area handle drainage with the Big Parking Lot? Good for the guys that Plow. Structure: Why several buildings vs. one building? Concern with heating/lighting! Spend money to down size on Computers; Help (librarians). Thanks!"

"We support the new library building at the current location!"

"Could a book drop be installed for drive-by access that also has a chute to the basement? So the workers would not have to go out & empty the box but patrons would still be able to drop off from their cars?"

"I support the new library at the present location. Your preliminary design looks good."

"I support the new library at its present location. The congestion at Brackett Rd. is awful as it is. Having the library here is very convenient."

"I support the library at its present location. Brackett Rd is a very bad traffic area. Beautiful pond view [here]."

"Please keep this current location if possible. Leave well enough along—it’s been here forever and is part of Eastham Center, ie Town Hall, Windmill."

"Keep it here—This is the center of Eastham."

"Please keep it here. I’ve lived here my whole life—am now in Brewster, but Eastham Library is so beautiful, I always come back to here instead of Brewster."

"Keep it here—cull out old books."

"Missing from a thoughtful design is safe access from Samoset Road or any other road. Let us not spend so much money on a potential death-trap."

"Please keep the library here—this is its home—it belongs here."

"This model looks like a dairy farm/barn & silo. Are we going to build an eyesore like Brewster did? A smaller version would be better—in my opinion. Computers can go in Senior Center seeing they want a larger building."

"EEWW"

"My vote for Samoset Center of Town Buildings. I like the new design."

"I wish it would stay on Samoset. I am really concerned that the exterior look “cape Coddish.” It is very important that it fit in to the traditional Cape Cod ideal."

"I think the library is fine where it is! There is no need to move it."

"I firmly agree!!!"

"I like this nice small library. We do not need a huge eyesore."

"Lately it seems if it works leave it be!"

"A wise decision to leave it be!"

"I like the library just as it is. The model does not seem at all inviting—New England charm is missing."

"New design seems rather elaborate—plan must be to take the old building apart completely and re-build. The tiny original VIS building now looks like an afterthought whereas now it is a focal point. And what about energy efficiency? Any “green” components for heat, cooling, light? Glad it’s to stay on Samoset Road!"

"The windows in the wall facing First Encounter beach are too small in height for the length of the wall. It looks like a chicken processing plant! Otherwise I like the plan."

"Part of our moving to Eastham is for its New England charm which I think the current library embraces. This new structure leaves me cold."

"I agree with the processing plant comment. Looks like a remuddling."

"Ditto:"

"What is anyone thinking? We do not need more taxes. The library is never crowded in the winter. I think the library should remain on Samoset Rd. as we have spent a lot of taxpayer dollars enlarging it."

"Will the public still have access to Depot Pond at the same spot?"

"Just a thought—How about a small expansion built in keeping with the charm of the present structure—and Eastham-like—and on the same site. The library is part of Eastham charm. The proposed building is sadly out-of-place and actually would be ugly any place."

"Solar panels; “Think Green.” ?Lighthouse looks like a silo; waste of money/space. Mult. Blds. Why? Waste of space/light/heat. Maintenance? Does a single building need a parking lot that big? Plowing cost in winter, maintenance of land."

"Many of these comments seem insightful and legitimate. You have done a good job of developing a functional floor plan (minus the elevator). Now how can you better respond to the scale, character and spirit of Cape Cod (and more specifically—Eastham)? To date, the design will have some nice places (periodical reading room, children’s room, meeting room) but lacks a proper welcoming entry & central, unifying space (incorporate the stairs stuffed in the vestibule). Also, please lose the lighthouse as it looks like it belongs at a putt-putt golf course and seems a bit patronizing. Take a drive around the Cape and have another go at the facades."

"Please consider cost vs. extravagance; location is not all important"

"The new additions seem very large with little variation. I would like to see more change in the side elevations. Also, it would be nice to keep the old part of the library facing the street in the same way so it keeps the street-scape. The “lighthouse” elevator tower is unnecessarily tall & kitchy. Something more realistic would be better for the historic town center."

You are also welcome to leave a comment or  opinion .  To do so, please email us at:

newbuildingprogram@easthamlibrary.org

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