Location: 
Dyersville, Iowa
Total Square Feet: 12,844
Construction Period: June 2001 to Apr 2002 

Construction Team
Structural Engineer: Gardner Architecture - 11502 390th Street, Strawberry Point, IA 52076
Electrical & Mechanical Engineer: Gilmor & Doyle, Ltd. - 
214 East 4th Street, Waterloo, IA 50703
Landscape Architect & Cost Estimator: Gardner Architecture - 11502 390th Street, Strawberry Point, IA 52076

The new James Kennedy Library, located in downtown Dyersville comes to a town with a lot to offer. Dyersville is known as the home of the Field of Dreams and The National Farm Toy Capital of the World. For 4,035 people, this library was a long time coming. The James Kennedy Public Library is a one story addition to the existing Dyersville Memorial Building. The previous library was housed in the current Memorial Building.

The James Kennedy Library is entered from a corner entrance on the southwest side. Upon entering the vestibule there is a short hallway that leads to the main library. Once inside the main library, the circulation desk is easily recognized. The desk has an excellent visual connection to the floor as well as direct access to staff and support functions, providing immediate supervision and help to library users and visitors. The staff area, located directly behind the circulation desk, provides the staff with storage and restroom facilities. 

Periodicals are located in a small room with a fireplace off the circulation desk. A row of rooms along the east wall accommodate individuals who prefer their own private space for small meetings or just “quiet time”. The computer room is located at the end of these rooms.

The North wall has a large window to let in natural sunlight among the stacks of the general collection. The back corner, opposite of the circulation desk, is designed for story hour. The corner can be open to the entire library or closed off with folding partitions to make it a private classroom. The children’s area is next to this area and can be easily supervised by adults near by. 

A skylight provides light to the majority of the general stacks contained in the center of the library. The library also includes a program room capable of accommodating 50 people, along with a small kitchenette and direct storage area. 

The exterior of the building blends with the current atmosphere of the existing downtown Dyersville. The James Kennedy Public Library is a facility with a design that fits the community it serves. 


MANUFACTURERS/SUPPLIERS
DIV 07: Shingles: Certainteed.
DIV 08: Skylight: Naturalite; Windows, Curtainwall: United States Aluminum. 
DIV 09: Gypsum: Georgia Pacific, National Gypsum; Carpet: Mannington.