Senate Resolution 162 - Introduced PAG LIN S.R. ________ H.R. ________ 1 1 SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 1 2 BY TINSMAN, WARD, DEARDEN, HATCH, 1 3 McCOY, ZAUN, and LAMBERTI 1 4 A Resolution to recognize the new Des Moines Public 1 5 Library. 1 6 WHEREAS, the Gateway West Park is an ambitious 1 7 effort to transform the face of downtown Des Moines 1 8 and a key component of that effort is now complete: 1 9 the new two=story, $32.3 million central library; and 1 10 WHEREAS, this imaginative 110,000=square=foot 1 11 meandering structure was officially opened on April 8, 1 12 2006, incorporating a library within a park; and 1 13 WHEREAS, the new building features a popular 1 14 library with more books, more media, and more space 1 15 for special collections, expanded access to new and 1 16 existing library services, a teen center and study 1 17 rooms, an expanded children's area, and a separate 1 18 story hour and crafts room; and 1 19 WHEREAS, London architect David Chipperfield's 21st 1 20 century design for the two=story library consists of 1 21 three wings, each offering different elements to the 1 22 public, all sheathed in a shimmering copper mesh; and 1 23 WHEREAS, architect Chipperfield is no stranger to 1 24 Iowa, having recently completed the Figge Art Museum 1 25 in Davenport; and 1 26 WHEREAS, credit for the project also goes to the 1 27 library's director, Kay Runge, the former director of 1 28 the Davenport Public Library who came to Des Moines in 1 29 2001 to oversee the construction of the city's new 1 30 central library; and 2 1 WHEREAS, Director Runge's vision for this 2 2 remarkable new library can best be summed up in her 2 3 own words: "The public library has been the center of 2 4 lifelong learning for all who live in this republic: 2 5 A place where the doors are open to persons of any 2 6 race, educational level, age, social standing, 2 7 economic status, or political persuasion."; NOW 2 8 THEREFORE, 2 9 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE, That the Senate 2 10 recognizes and extends its congratulations to the city 2 11 of Des Moines and Director Runge for their bold 2 12 efforts to put a new face on Iowa's capital city with 2 13 this remarkable new public library. 2 14 LSB 6718SS 81 2 15 jr:nh/cf/24