A group of dedicated community leaders approached Rural Studio about building a small library in downtown Newbern. Within the town’s rural context, they hoped that the library could become a social center, providing such resources as after-school programming, computer access, and the first public internet point in the community. The Old Bank Building, part of Newbern’s historic downtown, was donated by a local family to house the new library.
HONORING THE PAST
The Bank Building was renovated and expanded in order to accommodate its new function as a library. A small outdoor space along the north of the building offers library patrons an outdoor reading space. The white brick exterior of the Bank Building remains in-tact to preserve the memories of the historic Bank Building, while the interior of the building provides opportunities to learn about the town’s history and heritage.
The Bank Building was renovated and expanded in order to accommodate its new function as a library. A small outdoor space along the north of the building offers library patrons an outdoor reading space. The white brick exterior of the Bank Building remains in-tact to preserve the memories of the historic Bank Building, while the interior of the building provides opportunities to learn about the town’s history and heritage.
Designed to become a resource-rich social center, but also to preserve memories
First public internet point in the community
