Project Overview

The Oley E. Rooker Library will be the first LEED certified project for the Central Arkansas Library System (CALS). Geothermal heating and cooling system, a high performance building envelope, and abundant day lighting are among the sustainable features employed to seek the goal of LEED Silver. Like previous branches in the system, this building is unique and designed specifically for its site, location and culture. For Otter Creek, a suburban commuter community, it is a landmark. The building site is located on a prime corner near the neighborhood’s entrance. Positioned for maximum visibility and advantageous solar orientation, the main reading room is a “glass box” of high-performance glazing with sun screens on the east and west facades. A roof of laminated wood beams and pine decking caps the transparent volume. During evening hours, the lighted wood ceiling transforms the building into a lantern. The administrative wing is clad in local stone and serves as a visual anchor. The children’s area and community room are also expressed as distinct forms; each clad in copper with windows configured for their specific functions. On the interior, flooring is predominately banded cork tiles and stone pavers flowing in from outdoors. A nod to local tradition, a trio of bronze otters stands guard in the reflecting pool. A small-scale pavilion and amphitheater located near the site’s bioswale provide an alternate venue for children’s summer programs, and an opportunity for education on sustainability.