Biblioteca De Santiago - Santiago Public Library

The Directorate of Libraries and Museums (DIBAM), of Chile, selected James R. Keller, AIA, of VITETTA, as design consultant for development of this 200,000 sf Library. Biblioteca de Santiago is the first major public lending Library in this nation of 12 million inhabitants. The Library, a conversion of an early 20th century government warehouse building into a state of the art public community center, is part of a comprehensive capital improvements plan achieved by the administration of former Chilean President Ricardo Lagos. Mr. Keller worked directly with DIBAM and the local team of Cox and Ugarte Architects, Santiago, and NAVE Industrial Designers, Santiago to create a progressive Library and Cultural Center with a merchandising/retail concept, dynamic children’s center, and performing arts and gallery space to accommodate over 3,000 persons. The November 11, 2005 opening day celebration drew over 10,000 adults and children and the library has been heralded by El Mercurio newspaper as well as Chilean television and radio, as presenting a new concept in free access to information for the Chilean people.