Toledo Lucas County Public Library, Mott Branch Library
Type of Construction
CMaR
Square Footage
18,953
Construction Cost
$10,200,000
2021 AIA Toledo Architecture
Honor Award
The Toledo Lucas County Public Library Mott Branch serves over 13,000 citizens in the Onyx and Roosevelt neighborhoods that sit to the West of Downtown Toledo. The branch replaced the old Mott Branch library, which was approximately 10,000 square feet. The namesake of the branch comes from Ana Mott, who was a daughter of abolitionists in the Underground Railroad.
Dorr Street was a once-thriving business district for the Toledo African American Community. Over time this notion has drifted, and the resources available to citizens faded with it. This has led to socio-political issues such as multi-generational poverty and widespread low literacy, coupled with a large percentage of homes led by single parents.
In response to these issues, the library wanted to be a beacon not only physically on Door Street, but a beacon of hope, education, and the future for the community. The intent was to provide a symbol that represented and provided for the aspirations of all members of the community. The community wanted services that could help not only the adults, but the children, build successful lives. They wanted the ability to have a resource to become more proficient digitally and through literacy or learn and explore talents such as music production and other digital arts.
The new Mott Branch Library sits on the opposite side of Dorr Street from the original building, at the edge of Smith Park, the recreational center of the Onyx and Roosevelt communities. The new location provides a safer means of travel to the branch for pedestrians, as the majority do not need to cross Dorr Street to access the library.
Composed of transparent walls on all 4 sides and a canopy that transcends the barrier of interior and exterior. The design of the library provides a new hub for knowledge, creation, exploration, and hope within the park. The canopy is composed of 21 undulating triangular geometries based off the patterns and geometries found in Underground Railroad quilts. Additionally, the canopy strives to be an extension of the fabric of trees found throughout Smith Park. The floor plan was designed to provide maximum flexibility over time to an ever-changing set of community needs. In addition to the large open space for gathering, reading, book stacks, and other library programming, the building provides various other spaces to support private study, meeting, learning, and STEAM learning.
Through the quilt and tree concepts, the Mott namesake has been revitalized as a signature identity for the area, as well as honors the park setting in which is resides. The design provides the necessary resources needed by the adjoining community and provides a safe area for which the community can gather, celebrate, and support the communities journey towards a better future.
