[Archived] City Dedicates New Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library


News Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:	Tuesday, January 4, 2000
Contact:	Angelita Plemmer, City Manager's Office, (703) 838-4300; Barbara Bush, Public Information Officer, Alexandria Library System, (703) 838-4296

City Dedicates New Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library

The Alexandria City Council and the Alexandria Library Board will dedicate the new Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library on Sunday, January 9, 2000, at 3 p.m. The ribbon-cutting ceremony, which will be held at the library located on 5005 Duke Street, across from Cameron Station, marks the first new library construction in more than 30 years.

The new central library will be the largest in Alexandria’s library system --- totaling 60,200 square feet --- 35,300 square feet larger than the Kate Waller Barrett Branch library, the City’s current central branch located on Queen Street. Designed by Pierce Goodwin Alexander & Linville, in association with internationally-known architect Michael Graves, the new library’s post-modern architectural design is replete with classical elements and several defining geometric shapes. The Duke Street facade features a unique clock tower and sculptured book on a stand. The building’s distinctive design creates an extraordinary landmark in the City’s West End.

"This library is truly a significant milestone in the City’s 250-year history and an impressive landmark in the City’s West End," said Alexandria Mayor Kerry J. Donley. "It will serve as an invaluable resource for the entire community that will meet this City’s needs well into the next century, and the naming of the library after former Alexandria Mayor and West End resident Charles Beatley, Jr., recognizes his many contributions to the City."

The Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library will house a collection of 165,000 books, 3,000 audio and videocassettes and compact discs, and provide free on-site access to the Internet and World Wide Web. The library, which can seat nearly 200 adults and children, also offers a multi-purpose community meeting room, a small conference and meeting room, and a full-service library for the blind --- equipped with special "speaking" computer terminals with artificial speech and enlarged type capabilities.

Data ports at carrels for laptops, personal computers, quiet study areas, a periodical reading room, and rooms for children’s storytelling and quiet reading, and an outdoor reading garden have been included in the building’s design.

"This is the City’s largest capital project under construction this fiscal year and the completion of the new library will provide all Alexandrians with a state-of-the-art library to meet the needs of all citizens in the year 2000 and beyond," Alexandria City Manager Vola Lawson said. "The City’s funding of this important capital project is an investment in the future educational and cultural growth of this community’s children and adults."

Construction of the $11.9 million library began in April 1998. The Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library will be open to the public in mid-January.

"In 1994, the Alexandria Library celebrated its 200th birthday. The Board could not dream of a more appropriate way to mark our third century of service than in a magnificent new facility designed by a world-renowned architect," said Alexandria Library Board Chairman Howard W. Smith, Jr. "We thank the City of Alexandria for its continuing commitment to the finest of library services."

An open house will follow the ribbon-cutting ceremony which will include remarks by Director of Libraries Patrick O’Brien, Mayor Kerry J. Donley, Councilwoman Redella S. Pepper, former Alexandria Mayor Charles E. Beatley, Jr., City Manager Vola Lawson, Alexandria Library Board Chairman Howard W. Smith, Jr. and Alexandria Archaeological Commission Chairman Wm Jack Hranicky.