Construction of a major expansion and renovation at the Glen Allen Library in Richmond, Virginia, is underway and set for completion this fall. The expansion, which will more than double the library's existing 12,000-square-foot building, was designed by PSA-Dewberry, the architecture practice area of Fairfax, Virginia-based Dewberry. This is the third design project completed by PSA-Dewberry for the Henrico County Public Library System.

When complete, the library will house approximately 80,000 books and other materials within a 25,000-square-foot facility. Highlights will include a larger children's area with a dedicated space for children's programs featuring a colorful rainforest theme. The library will also offer a comfortable reading area with a fireplace, a Teen Zone with space for casual reading and collaboration, larger meeting rooms, two study rooms, a reading room, an expansive area for public computers, a Founding Fathers collection, and a 3,000-square-foot courtyard with tiered seating for reading and special programs.

The project will be the first LEED^® building for the library system, reflecting a number of energy-saving and sustainable measures in design and construction. The building will feature more daylighting and low-VOC finishes, and project site work will improve stormwater management. A touch-screen monitor in the entrance lobby will highlight the building's green features for library visitors.

The project team also includes Hankins & Anderson for civil engineering and RGI General Contractors. PSA-Dewberry's previous work for the Henrico County Public Library System includes the design of two new buildings: the 53,000-square-foot Tuckahoe Library and the 40,000-square-foot Twin Hickory Library.