The Library of
Kansas City, which was founded in 1873, presents an architectural structure
that reflects its function - is unique building of this kind in the world -
"The Community Bookshelf" is a striking feature of city's downtown.
It runs along the south wall of the Central Library's parking garage on 10th
Street between Wyandotte Street and Baltimore Avenue. The book spines, which
measure approximately 25 feet by 9 feet, are made of aluminum with applied
large format graphics . The shelf showcases 22 titles reflecting a wide variety
of reading interests as suggested by Kansas City readers and then selected by
The Kansas City Public Library Board of Trustees.
Among the titles
selected are "Cien Anos de Soledad" (100 Years of Solitude) by
Gabriel Garcia Marquez, "The Republic" by Plato, "A Tale of Two
Cities" by Charles Dickens etc.. and Children's Stories like "Winnie
the Pooh" by A. A. Milne or "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L.
Frank Baum
The project was
realized by Dimensional Innovations. It has won multiple awards; including an
SEGD Award and an IDEA award.
This is an amazing attraction for a city. This building is
an example of 'apparent function', where the form follows function. This
building is very interesting to me because of my attraction to books. I'm a
firm believer in preserving books and libraries. Everything doesn't have to run
on electricity.
