A New Parish Icon

St. John the Baptist Parish Library

Reserve, LA

The St. John the Baptist Parish Library serves as a vital community connector known for championing economic vitality, promoting cultural awareness, and encouraging a lifelong love of reading, learning, and literacy. The Reserve Library seeks to expand services by creating a state-of-the-art community hub in a space that honors the community’s historical legacy while providing first-class library services. The surroundings heavily influence the library’s design. Located adjacent to the Mississippi River and next to the St. John Theatre, the new library and existing house create a civic hub in the heart of Reserve. Shared use pathways and garden spaces connect the theatre and library. The library is organized around a central open/atrium that allows views to all levels connected by a monumental stair. The library plan maximizes efficiency and customer ease of use. It includes a children’s program area, a maker space and business center, teen and adult collections, multipurpose meeting rooms and gathering spaces, a catering kitchen, and expansive rooftop spaces.