The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and Botanical Gardens, San Marino, CA, in June began a 15-month overhaul of its main exhibition hall and a complete reinstallation based on 100 rare items from the collection. The construction is expected to cost $2.5 million. Not to be outdone, the Huntington Library Japanese Garden (pictured) recently completed a $6.8 million renovation. The garden was built in 1911–12 as the brainchild of railroad magnate and art collector Henry Edwards Huntington. The nine-acre garden now features a ceremonial teahouse and a rounded bridge, according to Haute Living.com.
Construction will soon be under way on the renovation and expansion of the Milan Public Library, OH. The project is expected to begin in late August now that the Milan-Berlin Library District board has chosen Studer-Obringer Inc. as the construction firm on the $2 million effort, which will add 6250 square feet to the 8500 square foot structure. The work will also enlarge the children’s section, add a community meeting room, expand the lobby, and update browsing and reading spaces and the local history and genealogy room. Designed by Daniel Frederick Architects LLC, the library refurbishment will be supported through current funds and private donations.
The Lawrence Public Library, KS, is moving forward with its expansion and renovation project, with a twist. The 52,000 square foot library will gain 20,000 square feet with twofold growth in the children’s space, including a separate teen area; a three-level parking garage; and a doubling in size of meeting room space. The $19 million project, designed by Gould Evans with construction management from B.A. Green Construction, will be funded through bond funds approved in 2010. At press time, city commissioners were still pondering whether to lease a former Borders property to serve as the temporary home for the library during construction.
When it rains it snows in Cuyahoga County, OH. Two projects will kick off at the end of August, with the groundbreaking for the new 42,000 square foot Parma Branch library, replacing the Parma-South and Parma-Ridge branches, at a cost of $15.6 million. The design architect is GPD Group, with construction from PCS. Beginning almost simultaneously will be the renovation and expansion of the Parma-Snow Branch library, adding 30,000 square feet to the facility, including a 400-seat auditorium. This $13.5 million reconfiguration will be helmed by HBM Architects and Westlake, Reed, Leskosky, with construction management from Donnelly’s Construction. Both projects are looking toward a fall 2013 completion.
Lead the Change is a library leadership seminar that brings together library thought leaders to show participants how today's top libraries are leading change and transforming their communities. Attendees are lead through a series of exercises to help bridge 
key thoughts to individual leadership objectives to help them harness their ideas, their innovation and their ability to lead.
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