The Lansing Central Public Library c. 1960s
The Lansing Central Public Library, now known as the Clarence H. Rosa Public Library, is part of the Capital Area District Library. The building was designed in 1961-62 by Lansing, Michigan-based firm of Kenneth C. Black Associates, Inc., and was completed in 1964.
“The upper facades display the building’s most distinctive features, unusual square-plan pre-cast concrete panels. Finished with quartz aggregate surfaces that make them glint in the sunshine, these panels display a repeating pattern of colophons (publishers’ emblems or trademarks) for 8 well-known U. S. book publishers. Each panel is molded to give the impression of a central seal held to an outer frame by curved vertical and horizontal arms.”
“The library originally featured a drive-up service window at the rear of the building where patrons could pick up books and place requests.”
The building was listed in the National Register of Historic Places on July 22, 2009, as part of the Lansing Downtown Historic District.
Kenneth C. Black Associates, Inc. Kenneth C. Black Associates Inc.: Architects and Engineers (Lansing, MI: Kenneth C. Black Associates, Inc., 1970).
Harrell-Seyburn, Amanda. Eye Candy! of the Week: Capital Area District Library. City Pulse: September 22, 2010.
Thanks for featuring our building! It now houses our District’s administrative offices, asl well as our Downtown Lansing branch. On a side note, we’re actually the Capital Area District Library, not library district.
Thanks for pointing out the error, Heidi. We’ve made that correction.