The evolving ways in which people receive information in the 21st Century have, in turn, altered the structure and function of today’s libraries. The days of dusty stacks of books in cold, dimly lit rooms patrolled by dour, matronly librarians who silence every patrons’ utterances have passed. Rather, today’s libraries function as resource centers, with offerings that include audiovisual and online tools that are complemented by more inviting public spaces for users. And, to enhance these environments, drably painted, concrete or wood-paneled walls are now commonly replaced by wallcoverings.
Central Graphics Group (Cuyahoga Falls, OH) has provided environmental-graphic services to Stow, OH’s public library for five years. When the facility received a major renovation to its second floor, which houses its media room and other special-services spaces, library officials enlisted Central Graphics to embellish its rooms with a series of wallcoverings that, depending on the particular room, provide a sense of reflection or whimsy.
Working with Hudson, OH-based Impact Group, which designed the graphics, Central Graphics fabricated and installed approximately 3,200 sq. ft. of wallcoverings. Prior to installing the graphics, the walls were repaired, primed, painted and cleaned for the renovation, according to Jeff Loofboro, Central Graphics’ general manager, and the shop performed an adhesion test to verify which materials would work.
Using mild-solvent inks, Central Graphics output the job on its Epson SureColor S30670 with MACtac’s Rebel 529R 4-mil vinyl that’s coated with MACtac’s PermaColor LUV matte-finish overlaminate.
“Wrapping the stairwell was particularly challenging,” Loofboro said. “It took careful planning to create accurate lines that would seamlessly flow through the multi-level, 3-D nature of the space. It was also tricky to set up our gear to install in such tight quarters, but we have veteran installers who know their stuff.”