Marblehead library changes may just be boon for all ages

MARBLEHEAD – Students in a Marblehead High architecture program want to combine a number of uses in the Abbot Public Library teen center – and architect Scott Pollack, their advisor – wants to make some of those uses available to adults too.They want a cafe area and a teen center, and they want the teen center to include a small stage, a storage room, a counter area for computers and food, and a flexible-use area with furniture.Pollack said the areas offer a chance to eat, drink coffee, tutor each other, read or hang out.?It was very interesting to watch them design this,” he said. “This is not what I would design, but it?s not being created for me.”He pointed out that the cafe area was 500 square feet, “about the size of a Starbucks,” and suggested taking down the wall on the left side of the entrance passageway so that visitors would be entering the cafe and not a hall.Pollack met with library trustees Monday night to discuss concept drawings the students came up with, and trustees gave him the go-ahead to work with students in developing drawings and price estimates for a redesign of the library?s lowest level.Library Director Patricia Rogers cautioned the trustees that the drawings they viewed were strictly conceptual and that future designs would have to come back to the board for their approval.In response to a question from trustee Jean Howe, Rogers said there would be bookshelves in the center area, and Pollack said the students requested copies of high school textbooks and magazines. Students assigned space for a librarian and a desk by the center door.?We don?t want this to be a play area,” Howes said. “This is a library.”