The Franklin Avenue branch of the Des Moines Public Library underwent a renovation and expansion project to double its size and serve its growing visitor needs. The $2.2 million project aimed to make the library a model of energy efficiency. It earned LEED Platinum certification for its new design that includes children/teen areas, computers, and a larger meeting room. The interior signage uses sustainable materials and complements the design. The exterior signage standardizes the library system's brand identity across its branches.

1. Des Moines Public Library, Franklin Avenue Library
Interior and Exterior Signage Solution for
LEED® Platinum Public Library
The Franklin Avenue branch of the Des Moines Public Library is the newest and most heavily trafficked
location of the six branches that comprise the library system. To serve the growing needs of Franklin
Avenue visitors, a renovation and expansion project was begun to double the size of the facility. The
library administration’s goal was to not just expand the library, but also to make it a model of energy
efficiency for new building construction in the Des Moines area. The library renovation was made possible
by a $2.2 million I-JOBS grant to maximize the energy efficiency of the library. The newly renovated
library includes new children and teen areas, 30 public computers stations with Internet access, a
fireplace reading area and a larger meeting room. Prior to the expansion, the library was 14,650 square
feet with a collection of less than 105,000. After the expansion, the library grew to 28,590 square feet
and it became the first Des Moines Public Library facility to earn LEED® Platinum certification.
The Franklin Avenue branch of the Des Moines Public Library is the newest and most heavily trafficked
location of the six branches that comprise the library system. To serve the growing needs of Franklin
Avenue visitors, a renovation and expansion project was begun to double the size of the facility. The
library administration’s goal was to not just expand the library, but also to make it a model of energy
efficiency for new building construction in the Des Moines area. The library renovation was made possible
by a $2.2 million I-JOBS grant to maximize the energy efficiency of the library. The newly renovated
library includes new children and teen areas, 30 public computers stations with Internet access, a
fireplace reading area and a larger meeting room. Prior to the expansion, the library was 14,650 square
feet with a collection of less than 105,000. After the expansion, the library grew to 28,590 square feet
and it became the first Des Moines Public Library facility to earn LEED® Platinum certification.
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2. SignStudies Cultural Institutions
Service Offerings About the Solution
Design After reviewing the architectural designs from the Benjamin Design Collaborative
Permits and consulting with the library administration, ASI recommended InTac™ Eco for
Fabrication the interior signage solution. By combining GREENGUARD Certified fabrication
Installation processes and materials, low VOC paint and UV digitally printed graphics, InTac™
Eco creates beautiful signage solutions with little to no negative impact on the
Product Applications
environment. All materials used to create InTac™ Eco are recyclable and reusable
InTac™ Eco
and they pose no danger of pollution of air and ground water in municipal
Custom Exterior Signage
landfills. The library interior uses a variety of patterns and colors, and the interior
Solution Partners signage design was modified to complement the various interior designs of
Des Moines Public Library each area. The complete interior signage solution uses five standard InTac™
Benjamin Design Collaborative Eco material colors to meet the interior design features of the library as well as
a decorative back panel made from custom-shaped acrylic with silk-screened
graphics and vinyl that are applied to the surface and subsurface. The decorative
“eyebrow” arch featured on each sign pays homage to a prominent architectural
feature of the library.
The exterior signage is designed to be the new exterior signage standard for
all branches in Des Moines Public Library system. Each exterior sign is made
from recyclable aluminum panels and each sign incorporates the library’s brand
identity as well as an “open/closed” panel and an updateable hours panel to
keep visitors informed of library operations.
More than 40 years of proven leadership and signage innovation