Lee Swanson appointed to CORE Building Operations Planning and Design Committee with the American Library Association (ALA)
Principal Lee Swanson has been appointed to the American Library Association (ALA) CORE, Building Operations, Planning and Design Committee. Swanson will serve a two-year term, collaborating with other design professionals, librarians, and library staff to shape national discussions around the future of library planning and design.
Advancing 21st Century Library Design
With nearly two decades of experience in library design, Swanson will contribute his expertise to the Planning and Design Committee’s mission of researching, maintaining, and communicating emerging trends and best practices in space planning and design for 21st-century libraries. This work includes critical areas such as programming, visioning, design, and post-occupancy evaluations.
"I am honored to volunteer my time and join the ALA CORE Planning and Design Committee and contribute to the advancement of library spaces," said Swanson. "This role will allow me to give back to ALA and the larger library community to support the advancement of the vital resources libraries provide to our communities."
As a long-time member of the ALA and an advocate for the pivotal role libraries play in our communities, Swanson collaborates with stakeholders, librarians, communities, and specialized consultants to envision and realize facilities and programs that support the evolution of public libraries. His work focuses on transforming these spaces into central hubs for collaboration, life-long learning, digital literacy, early literacy, and community engagement.
Swanson’s approach with both clients and collaborative partners combines qualitative and quantitative data to explore and implement technological advancements, optimize workflows, apply life-cycle costing, and develop future-proofing strategies. This methodology helps clients create a roadmap for the future of their library systems and establish a clear path for implementation.
Currently, Swanson is involved in several significant library projects, including the City of Mesa Gateway Public Library, which is under construction and scheduled for completion in Summer 2025. He is also working on the City of Mesa City-Wide Library Master Plan, which outlines the next 20 years of their library system, and the Palm Desert Municipal Library conceptual plan, which aims to establish a new public library at the heart of their civic center.
LEARN MORE: Planning and Design Committee | Core (ala.org)
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