Forum Drone Updates Progress on Clark Branch Library

Date Posted: February 28, 2023

Posted In: Drone, Projects,

This week, Louis Kelly, Forum drone photographer and owner of Drone Eagle LLC, captures progress on the new $22M Clark Family Branch of the St. Louis County Library.

The new branch, to be named the Clark Family Branch, is expected to be completed in late 2023 and will replace the former headquarters building at 1640 S. Lindbergh Boulevard, which has been demolished.

The new building is to be named for the Robert G. Clark family. A $4 million donation from the Clark family will support construction of the new Clark Family Branch, and an additional gift of $2 million will support curated educational programming that furthers the Library’s mission. Robert Clark is the executive chairman and founder of Clayco.

Designed by Lamar Johnson Collaborative, the Clark Family Branch will be a two-story, 74,000-square-foot building with high windows, an outdoor courtyard and walking trail, a second-floor reading deck and a small-business center. Colorful spaces for children and teens will be upstairs, along with a genealogy Center.

Teens will have access to a high-tech creative space that includes a 3-D printer, a recording studio and green screen for videos. The Children’s Space will feature a large playhouse, along with other interactive learning activities for kids.

The first floor will feature an event space for author events, programs, meetings and other special events, with seating up to 800.

Other amenities at the branch include 19 private study rooms, a quiet reading room, a computer lab, community meeting rooms, comfortable seating and a large collection of books, music, DVDs, magazines and more.

The branch is the final project of the Your Library Renewed campaign.