The Sobrato Family Learning Commons at Saint Francis High School in Mountain View, Calif. has been selected to the American Library Association’s (ALA) 2013 Library Design Showcase. The project is published in the September/October issue of American Libraries, the flagship magazine of the ALA.

The ALA is the oldest and largest library association in the world, providing association information, news, events and advocacy resources for members, librarians and library users. Its magazine, American Libraries, is sent to more than 65,000 individuals and organizations worldwide. The Library Design Showcase is the publication’s annual feature celebrating the best new and newly renovated or expanded libraries of all types. They publish libraries that are shining examples of innovative architecture and that address the service needs of patrons in unique, interesting and effective ways. We are delighted that the Sobrato Family Learning Commons at Saint Francis High School is among those honored.

The Sobrato Family Learning Commons is a vibrant hub of student activities. It replaces the existing library and includes the renovation of an adjacent classroom building. On the ground floor, a student center promotes school engagement with multiple student support departments, while on the second floor students benefit from a technology-rich, flexible library. The library has a thoughtful blend of access with appropriate levels of privacy needed for student research, individual study and group academic development. To further increase the flexibility, the building structure was designed with moment frame connections to avoid the use of brace frames interrupting the interior spaces.

2013 Library Design Showcase >>

Complete September/October issue >>