It's almost here! Don't miss LJ's Design Institute! 

Library Journal is thrilled to be hosting our long-running library building and design event at Missoula Public Library, winner of the IFLA/Systematic's 2022 Public Library of the Year! This full-day of sessions, interactive breakouts, and networking will allow you to dig deep with architects, librarians, and vendors to explore building/renovating/ retrofitting spaces of all sizes in innovative ways that engage and serve your community. Check out our packed program below and begin planning your day!  

Program

9:00 - 9:30 AM 

REGISTRATION AND CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST

9:30 - 9:40 AM

WELCOME REMARKS    

Meredith Schwartz| Editor-in-Chief, Library Journal

Slaven Lee| Director, Missoula Public Library

Location: Cooper Rooms A&B (4^th Floor)

9:40 - 10:20 AM

FUNDING THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS AND MANAGING COSTS

Budget challenges, escalating construction costs, and other changes to the supply chain have all impacted library budgets and construction projects. These changes can be taken into account during the design and planning phases of any library renovation or new build, whether an existing or new project. In this session, architects will discuss how libraries have worked with community partners to solicit and receive funding, and how designers and libraries can work together to create or augment spaces that are socially responsible and promote efficiency and economy of use through design. 

Panelists:          

Traci Engel Lesneski| CEO & Principal, MSR Design

Dennis Humphries| Consulting Principal, RATIO Design

Moderator: Honore Bray| Former Director, Missoula Public Library

10:20 - 10:30 AM

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: 

Tim Lawson| Senior Solutions Specialist, Tech Logic

10:35 - 11:15 AM

PLANNING FOR A PEOPLE-CENTERED FUTURE

Many library designs promote flexibility and adaptability, enabling spaces to be maximized for a variety of uses and audiences. After the last two years of COVID shutdowns and restrictions, many communities and individuals crave physical space to come together. How do we build or retrofit these spaces to enable people with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and needs, to come together? In this session architects will share examples from projects with space dedicated to wellness, an expansive approach to accessibility and equitable spaces, community-building activities, and design for specific audiences such as the neurodiverse community.

Panelists:        

Mindy Sorg| Senior Registered Interior Designer, OPN Architects                

Joel Miller| Associate AIA, RATIO Design

Moderator: Jessie Herbert-Meny| spectrUM Discovery Area Director

11:15 - 11:30 AM

BREAK

11:30 - 11:40 AM

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: 

Kenji Chilcott & Neil Gillott| Account Manager

and Director of Engineering, Lyngsoe Systems

11:45 AM - 12:25 PM

 architects OMMUNITY CATALYZERS

Libraries have a remarkable ability to reinvent themselves and respond to the times. What roles do libraries play culturally in their communities, large and small? How have library designs enabled libraries to become unique cultural catalysts for their communities, offering collections, access to resources, or services within spaces that reflect the culture, economy, and social visions of the communities they serve? Attendees will learn from panelists about engagement strategies during the visioning and design process that include community participation, designs that weave the unique attributes of a community into the library program, and how designers and libraries can center equity and inclusivity in the process and outcome of library construction projects.

Panelists:

Toby Olsen| Associate Principal, OPN Architects  

Chris Noll| Principal Architect, Noll & Tam Architects 

Moderator: Barbara Theroux| President, friends of missoula public library

12:25 - 1:25 PM

 LUNCH

1:25 - 3:00 PM

3:00 - 3:40 PM

CHANGING ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY AND RESPONSIVE DESIGN  

At the same time that we are seeing a rising desire for people and communities to connect in person, we face a sea change in how technologies are used across a variety of purposes and people The continued rise of digital technology means that technology literacy is necessary to function in today’s world. How might we ensure the public can access and use the technology they need to? As creators of knowledge, enablers of hybrid work and learning, how might libraries create spaces and opportunities for different portions of communities to use  the technology appropriate for their needs? In this session designers will discuss tactics, approaches, and design solutions that have addressed these questions.

Panelists:                                

Ray Johnston| Founding Partner, Johnston Architect Jane Catalano| Principal Interior Designer, Noll &

Tam Architects

Moderator: Xavier Kneedler-Shorten| Dean’s Assistant, Mansfield Library

3:40 - 3:50 PM

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: 

Montgomery McKenzie| President, Cultural Surroundings

3:50 - 4:05 PM

BREAK

4:05 - 4:15 PM

INDUSTRY SPOTLIGHT: 

Kristin LeRoy| International Sales Director, Short Édition

4:20 - 5:00 PM

LIBRARIES AS PLACES OF RESILIENCY

As regions experience more extreme weather conditions or public infrastructure challenges such as lack of access to clean water, library design has become more nimble and responsive. Resilient designs include buildings that feature integrated technologies to be spaces of refuge and resilience during extreme conditions like fire or drought. This panel will feature examples of libraries that have designed building systems to mitigate heat, provide community cooling, or ensure quality water access while also emphasizing wellbeing by designing spaces that are connected to the outdoors, and offer durable, sustainable, and inspiring design. Participants will learn about different building technologies and designs used to offer spaces of respite for community members during challenging times. 

Panelists:                                  

Mona Johnston Zellers| Partner, Johnston Architects Dagmara Larsen| Principal, MSR Design

Moderator: Emily Puckett Rodgers| Interim Associate University Librarian for Operations, University of Michigan

5:00 - 6:00 PM 

Cocktail reception hosted by the friends of missoula public library 

Architect Sponsors 

Vendor Sponsors 

Partners  

Interested in sponsoring Design Institute? Please contact Advertising Director Roy Futterman for more information. 

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