Latest News - Our Recovery in Process
A library is not a luxury but one of
the necessities of life.
A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of life.
-Henry Ward Beecher
In New Orleans we are opening minds and opportunities by opening more Library doors to our community members! Here are the latest updates around our Rebuild effort! If you have any questions regarding a particular library branch or the Rebuild effort in general, please contact the New Orleans Public Library Foundation.
Five New Libraries for New Orleans!
NOPL leads in the City's recovery with the construction of 5 new libraries beginning in 2010. These locations are part of the Design Build process, an accelerated architectural and construction project producing new state-of-the-art facilities in 2011.
Construction Updates
Construction Begins on East New Orleans Regional Branch
In mid-November, 2010, site work began on our new regional library in New Orleans East.
Rosa Keller Library Rebuild is Underway!
The construction bid for the construction and historic renovation of the Rosa Keller Library and Community Center was awarded to Ryan Gootee General Contractors. The Notice to Proceed was issued on June 21, 2010 with a 370-day construction schedule. Substantial completion of the new facility is estimated for June 2011. The former library building that was attached to the historic house on the corner of Napoleon and Broad has been demolished to make way for new construction. Pile testing is underway. Construction of the new building and renovation of the existing builidng are to begin soon!
Rosa Keller Library Gets Lifted!
On November 2, 2010, the Rosa Keller Library in Broadmoor began the shoring for the new foundation of the historic house, which will be one part of the new structure. A new addition will be attached to the rear of the old structure.
Gentilly Branch Site Expansion
On December 17, recently purchased property next to the Gentilly Branch was demolished to make way for construction of the new 18,000 square foot branch at 1200 Foy Street. The ground breaking for the new branch is coming soon!
Ground Breaking Ceremonies
Robert E. Smith Branch Groundbreaking Ceremony
Library and City officians joined members of the Lakeview community on January 28 to break ground for the new Robert E. Smith Branch. The re-designed library will be approximately 13,000 square feet and will offer sustainability features including public transportation access, energy efficiency, bicycle storage, water-efficient landscaping, water-use reduction and passive cooling. The Robert E. Smith Library is being constructed as a design-build project, a non- traditional alternative to the current Design-Bid-Build method normally used in public construction projects. Design-build projects join the architect, engineer and contractor under one project delivery contract, making a single source responsible for design, construction and scheduling, allows for greater cost control and leads to quicker delivery of the project. The facility will cost approximately $4 million and has an anticipated completion date of late 2010.
Gentilly Branch Groundbreaking Ceremony
On December 29, City and Library officials gathered to break ground for the new Norman Mayer Branch. The library, known to most as the "Gentilly Branch," was completely destroyed by Hurricane Katrina; the new facility will be expanded from 7,850 square feet to approximately 19,000 square feet. The structure's $5.5 million cost is being funded by FEMA, Disaster Community Block Grant Funds, and Energy Grant. The building has an anticipated completion date of late 2010.
East New Orleans Regional Branch Groundbreaking Ceremony
The East New Orleans Regional Library Ground Breaking was held on Dec. 4, 2009. The 30,000 sq. two floor building is expected to be completed in late 2010.