Homer Public Library
The Homer Public Library is located at 500 Hazel Avenue in Homer, Alaska. It serves the communities of the Southern Kenai Peninsula from Ninilchik to the south side of Kachemak Bay.[1]
The library, a department of the City of Homer, has six full-time and three part-time staff. The director of the library is Ann Dixon[2] who succeeded Helen Hill in 2011.[3] The same year the library was rated by Library Journal as one of 262 star libraries in the US.[4] The library is aided by an advisory board and Friends of the Homer Library.
Building
Construction of a new library building started in 2003 and ended in 2006.[5] It was opened to the public September 16, 2006,[6] covers 17 000 feet and costed a total of $8,8 million to construct.[7] It was funded primarily through Government grants ($3,813,000), a 30-year USDA Rural Development loan ($2,200,000) and various foundation grants ($1,336,000).[8]
The building was awarded LEED Silver certification by the U.S. Green Building Council. The library is only the third LEED building in Alaska and the second to achieve the silver rating.[9] LEED certification encourages the use or reuse of local materials which meant, among other things, that an old gym floor from the Kenai High School was used for countertops.[10]
The architecture firm, ECI/Hyer, has received several awards for the building:[11]
- 2007 Honor Award, AIA Alaska Chapter
- 2007 Member's Choice Award, AIA Alaska Chapter State Convention
- 2007 Best Non-Residential Award, AIA Alaska Chapter State Convention
- 2007 Judge's Choice: Community Beautification Award, Homer Chamber of Commerce
- 2006 People's Choice Award, AIA Alaska Chapter State Convention
In 2005, the library was investigated by the United States Environmental Protection Agency under the Clean Water Act for failing to apply for a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.[12]
References
- ↑ http://www.cityofhomer-ak.gov/library/about-library
- ↑ New librarian is also author of children’s books | Homer Tribune
- ↑ Helen Hill: A life with libraries 04/27/11
- ↑ The Stars: Expenditure Category $200,000 – $399,999
- ↑ Notable Buildings, Notable Architects - Alaska Business Monthly - February 2012 - Anchorage, AK
- ↑ Library doors swing open to crowd of 1,500 | Homer Tribune
- ↑ About the Library | City of Homer Alaska Official Website
- ↑ Alaska Libraries and Museums: A Review Prepared for: The Foraker Group
- ↑ FYI | Homer Tribune
- ↑ LEEding the way in Alaska: more and more, Alaska is seeing 'green' in its building designs | Alaska Business Monthly | Find Articles
- ↑ ECI/Hyer Architecture - Homer Public Library
- ↑ United States Environmental Protection Agency: EPA Proposes Penalty Against City of Homer Public Library for Clean Water Act Violations
External links
- Homer Public Library web site
- ECI/Hyer, Inc.: Homer Public Library. Architecture firm provides a description and images of the new library building.
- Friends of the Homer Library web site
Coordinates: 59°38′38″N 151°31′51″W / 59.6438°N 151.5308°W