MIDDLETOWN – Today, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer, Director of Community Services Carrie Casey and Manager of New Castle County libraries Diana Brown cut the ribbon at the grand opening ceremony of the brand new 28,000 square foot Appoquinimink Library. This library perfectly complements the infrastructure investments made by County Executive Meyer in the southern New Castle County region, including New Castle County Lieutenant John B. Potter EMS Station No. 5, and the Southern New Castle County park.
“This is a tremendous day for the people of the southern New Castle County area, the MOT community, and those who have made this project possible,” said County Executive Matt Meyer. “From selecting the location, to the design, it’s been a true team, and neighborhood effort, and I couldn’t be prouder. I am excited for the community to start using these amenities as soon as possible.”
“Libraries are the lifeline of a community, a place to connect, recharge, and stimulate creativity, and that is exactly what the Appoquinimink Library will provide for the patrons,” said Carrie Casey, General Manager of Community Services. “With this leading edge library, and incredible possibilities for creativity, for gathering, possibility for exchange of ideas and conversation, the Appoquinimink Library will be a landmark for years to come.”
“We’re so excited to open the doors to the new Appoquinimink Library,” said Diana Brown, Community Services Manager, New Castle County libraries. “There is truly something for everyone here. Our library staff, especially our library manager, Kevin Swed, have worked hard to bring this building to the community. They are eager to share all the library has to offer to our southern New Castle County friends.”
The New Castle County Appoquinimink Branch Library is a state-of-the art library and community hub that provides access to traditional resources as well as new technologies, creative production tools, and skills development programs to the surrounding region. Through a collection of interconnected building masses, the design bridges between the 18th-Century residential scale of Middletown’s historic downtown to the west and the larger commercial scale developments to the east. Visible roof ‘lanterns’ mark important interior service points and flood the library with natural light by day or cast a welcoming
glow in the evening.
Noteworthy spaces include:
- Maker Space: featuring state-of the-art laser cutters, 3D printers, and computerized vinyl cutters alongside traditional tools for making and creating.
- Recording Studio: where teens and adults can capture original sound and video content for editing in the media lab.
- Spark Wall: where children are invited to explore ever changing content tucked into the colorful drawers and cubbies of this feature installation.
- Multi-Purpose Room: seats up to 115 people and can be segregated from the library to offer extended afterhours use by the community
Keeping with New Castle County’s GreeNCC goals, the library will be targeted for LEED Silver Certification. This project incorporates an array of energy efficient and environmentally sustainable features including:
- High efficiency LED lighting
- Under-floor air distribution system
- Rooftop photovoltaic (PV) panels &
- PV powered site lighting
- Managed daylight harvesting through sculpted roof monitors and clerestory windows
- Low-flow plumbing fixtures
- Locally sourced, low-VOC interior finishes
- Native species landscape design requiring no irrigation
- 4 EV charging stations
The construction of the library was a true team effort with extensive input from the community and other key stakeholders. The Appoquinimink Library was conceived and designed to serve New Castle County residents in the southern portion of the county and represents partnerships between New Castle County, the State of Delaware, and Friends of the NCC Southern Library. The Project was lead by the architectural firms Perkins&Will, and Tetra Tech.
About Perkins&Will - Design Architect
Perkins&Will is an interdisciplinary, research-based architecture and design firm. Founded on the belief that design has the power to transform lives and enhance communities, we collaborate with clients all over the world to create healthy, sustainable places in which to live, learn, work, play, and heal.
Tetra Tech - Architect of Record & Engineering
Tetra Tech is a leading provider of consulting and professional design services worldwide. We are a diverse company with expertise in architecture, engineering, environmental science research, and
information technology. Our strength is providing integrated services — delivering the best solutions to meet our clients’ needs
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