City Council has approved the construction contractor for the state-of-the-art West Irving Library. The 25,000-square-foot, standalone facility—part of the city’s vision to offer four, full-service libraries—will provide enhanced services to residents in west and north-central Irving.
The integration of advanced technology will play a key role in the city’s plan for existing and future standalone facilities. Included in this plan is the installation of four Microsoft surface tables, multi-touch computer tables that respond to hand gestures, as well as vertical touch screens for the West Irving Library. First to receive a surface table will be the Valley Ranch Library in January, where residents will soon be able to experience this innovative technology.
“Our hope is that this visual and interactive technology will draw more people into our libraries and engage them in new, unique ways of learning,” said Patty Landers, library director. “We listen to our residents, and based on their input from community meetings and other opportunities, these are the types of things they want to see.”
Additional features of the West Irving Library will include a computer lab and business center complete with Wi-Fi access, and outdoor reading and activity areas. Exterior elements will consist of pocket parks with native landscaping, public art, native stone walls and an outdoor plaza with benches.
In keeping with the city’s green initiative, the building will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council standards. The library will be equipped with panels that allow for the conversion of solar energy into electricity, and will include use of geothermal energy to heat and cool the building.
The 6.5-acre future site of the West Irving Library is located on the corner of Rochelle and Esters roads near Northwest Park Recreation Center. Cost to complete the West Irving Library is estimated at $8 million, with the facility’s completion scheduled for early 2011.
The integration of advanced technology will play a key role in the city’s plan for existing and future standalone facilities. Included in this plan is the installation of four Microsoft surface tables, multi-touch computer tables that respond to hand gestures, as well as vertical touch screens for the West Irving Library. First to receive a surface table will be the Valley Ranch Library in January, where residents will soon be able to experience this innovative technology.
“Our hope is that this visual and interactive technology will draw more people into our libraries and engage them in new, unique ways of learning,” said Patty Landers, library director. “We listen to our residents, and based on their input from community meetings and other opportunities, these are the types of things they want to see.”
Additional features of the West Irving Library will include a computer lab and business center complete with Wi-Fi access, and outdoor reading and activity areas. Exterior elements will consist of pocket parks with native landscaping, public art, native stone walls and an outdoor plaza with benches.
In keeping with the city’s green initiative, the building will be LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certified in accordance with the U.S. Green Building Council standards. The library will be equipped with panels that allow for the conversion of solar energy into electricity, and will include use of geothermal energy to heat and cool the building.
The 6.5-acre future site of the West Irving Library is located on the corner of Rochelle and Esters roads near Northwest Park Recreation Center. Cost to complete the West Irving Library is estimated at $8 million, with the facility’s completion scheduled for early 2011.
