Posts Tagged ‘libraries’

Come to the Jamestown Bluffs library next Wednesday for one of three upcoming events co-sponsored by NOCO.

Join me and other North County residents for a lively discussion on current events and local news, the second Wednesday of every month at the Jamestown Bluffs library. “Neighborhood Newshounds” is a new adult program created by the library staff, and all are invited to participate in this free, informal gathering, which kicks off next Wednesday, January 13, from 2-3pm.

Pre-registration is preferred but not absolutely necessary. Ages 18 and older, please. To sign up or for more information, visit St. Louis County Library’s event calendar. Jamestown Bluffs is located at 4153 N. Lindbergh, 63031.

In the coming months, NOCO is also helping to sponsor two other fun events: the Live Well Ferguson Twilight 5K and a film series hosted by EarthDance Farms. I can’t share many details about the film series yet, except to say that it will feature thought-provoking movies on the subjects of food and farming, but I can tell you more about the 5K.

Hosted by Live Well Ferguson, an organization whose mission is to encourage local residents to lead healthier, more active lives, the event is an extension of Ferguson’s popular Sunday Parkways program and is being spearheaded by Ferguson city councilman Dwayne James. Scheduled for May 15, 2010, it promises to be a full evening of exciting activities, and everyone – regardless of their fitness level – is encouraged to come on down.

At 5pm, there will be a one-mile fun run/walk, open to families, kids, stroller joggers and even dogs. Then at 6pm, both runners and walkers are challenged to participate in the inaugural Twilight 5K, which features professional timing by Big River Running and a USATF-certified course through Ferguson’s beautiful historic neighborhoods. We’ll have a photographer stationed at the finish line so your moment of sweaty glory can be preserved forever. But fear not – there’s also free beer!

Following the 5K, everyone (even those who don’t race) can enjoy a live concert at the newly built “Plaza at 501″ on S. Florissant Road, as well as beer tastings courtesy of Ray Hill’s. All race participants will also get a prize and a snazzy t-shirt (designed by moi), while first-place 5K finishers will win a pair of new running shoes and a trophy.

Sponsors are still needed for this great community event, which will hopefully showcase Ferguson’s unique beauty and reinforce the awesome mission of Live Well Ferguson. And of course, we need racers! Lots of them.

If I can drag my out-of-shape writer’s bum 3.2 miles, so can you! So please, check out the Twilight 5K website and sign up today! Early registration is just $5-15, depending on your age and which race you participate in. There’s even a discount for families.

Will this unique modernist gem be lost in the name of progress?

Yesterday I wrote about St. Louis County Library’s efforts to modernize its North County branches, and I mentioned the fact that the Lewis and Clark branch has been recommended for demolition. Like many of you who emailed me in response, I was shocked to hear that the library would consider tearing down this one-of-a-kind architectural gem, which was built in 1963 by a well-known modernist architect.

Though many St. Louisans don’t realize it, the city was actually home to many cutting-edge mid-century architects, including Charles and Ray Eames, Charles Nagel, and the designer of the Lewis and Clark library, Frederick Dunn.

Born and raised in Montana, Dunn graduated from Yale University and moved to St. Louis in 1936 to open an architectural firm with Nagel, his Yale classmate. Between them, they designed a number of modernist masterpieces, including this Italian-inspired house in Ladue, the National Garden Club headquarters in South City, and Grace Episcopal Church in Kirkwood.

Throughout his career, Dunn only designed two buildings in North County – the former Faith-Salem Church at 7348 W. Florissant in Jennings, and the Lewis and Clark library, which stands out because of its bold stained glass windows, domed skylight entrance, and clean, modern lines. Luminous and simple, with glass walls and tall ceilings, the library has an open, airy quality to it. Very conducive to reading!

The library's captivating stained glass windows depict explorers William Clark and Meriwether Lewis, as well as their brave guide, Sacagawea.

Although St. Louis County Library’s current facilities plan deems Lewis and Clark “inefficient in operation and outdated in design,” I know I’m not alone in hoping that this unique building can be saved. St. Louis has already lost so many mid-century treasures. Perhaps a nice, supportive note to the library’s director would help to ensure that Lewis and Clark library is preserved, not razed.

Just to be clear – SLCL does not have any specific demolition plans in place. In fact, the Tesson Ferry library in South County (another mid-century building) will be the first branch eventually torn down and replaced. But the facilities plan does recommend demolition for Lewis and Clark…some day.

In 1804, the Lewis & Clark expedition launched from a site less than five miles from the Lewis and Clark library.

The newly remodeled Florissant Library branch is the first St. Louis County library to feature a modernized self-service model.

Of all the things to be thankful for in North County, having excellent libraries (and lots of them) is definitely near the top of my list. From my house in Ferguson, I can get to eight different branches in 10-15 minutes, and that’s not counting Ferguson’s own municipal library or the libraries at UMSL and Flo Valley.

Many people may not realize this, but in recent years, St. Louis County Library (SLCL) has been ranked among the best libraries in the country. Funded largely by property taxes, it offers far more than just book borrowing. Patrons can also check out CDs, DVDs, magazines and games for Wii and PlayStation, as well as access extensive genealogy and local history archives, attend lectures by well-known authors, and surf the internet for free.

In fact, the Natural Bridge branch in Normandy recently became the largest provider of free internet service in the St. Louis area, with 51 computers available for public use. The addition of 24 new computers was part of SLCL’s current strategic plan, which actually calls for significant investment in the North County branches.

Like the Jamestown Bluffs branch, Florissant Valley now offers quick and easy self-checkout. The computers can instantly scan up to five items at once.

The Florissant Valley branch, which SLCL is using a test site for its new customer service model, is the first library in the area to offer self-checkout, self-pickup of held items, and a smaller, centrally located customer service desk. “The new desk and self-checkout stations allow for more staff to be on the floor helping customers,” says Jennifer McBride, St. Louis County Library’s communications manager.

In the coming years, NoCo residents can also expect changes at other area branches, including Lewis & Clark, which has been recommended for demolition and new construction. At some point, Florissant Valley may also be designated a “regional library,” offering an expanded reference section and longer hours.

“The changes at our Florissant Branch are part of a broader effort to modernize the St. Louis County Library system, as outlined in our Strategic Plan,” McBride says. To view that plan or learn more about SLCL services and events, look here.