"Having a new library with the size and scope able to meet the needs of our community was central to us being able to pursue our mission to serve the public," he said. "We've been able to make the most of our 15,000 square feet — three times larger than our old space. We have seen significant changes in the way we're viewed in the community and how the space is used. From the outset, we've seen a 20% increase in circulation, a 10% bump in visitors overall, and a sizable increase in program attendance. We couldn't ask for more than that."
A Moving Experience
Libraries thrive on balance — shelves are considered "at capacity" when they are 75% full. Leaving some extra space keeps everything flexible for shifting volumes, accommodating new inventory, or handling returns without a logistical headache. At Harris County Library's old location, that balance was long gone. Shelves were bursting at 100% capacity, forcing librarians to get creative just to fit everything in.
“Our old library was just about 5,000 square feet, so it was really cramped,” said Branch Manager Stephanie Green. “We barely had room for books, let alone activities. We even had to turn away a children’s reading group, because there wasn’t enough room.”
When it came time to upgrade, Green worked closely with Patterson Pope Sales Representative Dick Beery. Together, they fine-tuned the library organizers to ensure the shelving met the library's functional and future needs.
"Accessibility was key," said Green. "We were using every inch of shelving, from bottom to top. If you're someone who's 5'4" like myself, you're reaching quite high for books. Or if you're an older patron, you're not going to want to kneel or stoop over to grab something. So, when it came time to measure and size the new library shelves, I worked closely with Dick to make sure we got it right."
The emphasis on accessibility is in line with the Library's mission:
Designing for Today and Tomorrow
For former librarian Schuermann, building a library isn't just about books. It's about building a community. Placing the new Harris County Library next to a state-of-the-art community center reinforced that mission. Before construction began, focus groups brought together staff, local leaders, and even library patrons. Their input as to how they would use the space was key to the project's success.
"We have no idea what services public libraries provide will look like 10 years from now," said Schuermann. "The library of today is nothing like the library of the past, and we expect that evolution to continue."
"One thing we thought about in terms of design was that we wanted to create a flexible space," he said. "Using shelving that can be moved around, or even moved out of an area altogether was very important for usage design today and in the future."
Patterson Pope’s Dick Beery, as he’s done in many libraries before, was happy to go into the old space prior to construction and survey everything the Harris County Library had. Only with that precise information could an accurate and feasible design take shape.
“I enjoy it when a client considers Patterson Pope to be purveyors of information,” said Beery. “We are experts, and we work hard to ensure the success of projects like these. It’s always exciting to see it when someone recognizes that all the choices and decision-making along the way can translate to a phenomenal end product.”
Through collaboration and innovation, library organizers became more than functional — they became central to a flexible and future-ready design.
Unabridged Ambitions
The new, 15,000-square-foot library offers an expansive browsing area enhanced by flexible library carts provided by Patterson Pope. Ranging from six to nine feet long, these carts are easily maneuverable, allowing staff to clear space for large groups, or reconfigure the layout to meet changing needs or design updates. High-pressure laminate end panels from Wilson Art, carefully matched to the library's aesthetic, create a polished and cohesive look.
The library also repurposed a manual-assist high-density compact shelving unit from its old location. Once used to store newspapers and activity items, the five-range unit now houses overflow materials, organizes transit books for other libraries, and serves as a temporary storage solution.
“I was actually complimenting my staff recently on the utilization of the space,” said Green. “I’m just really excited about how we’re now able to do things that we couldn’t do before. It just really made me happy. We’ve got a lot of space now, and we’re using it well.”
Creativity and Community
The new library blends tradition and creativity with ease. Alongside fixed shelves and sleek, movable library organizers on wheels, the new library features traditional fixed shelves, as well as shorter, serpentine shelving in the children's area. The curving design was carefully sized to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding furniture and shelving, and quickly became a standout feature of the space.
“Patterson Pope’s expertise drove the design and success of our project, absolutely,” added Schuermann. “From the beginning, they were very hands-on. We had extensive meetings, and they really listened. The shelving is obviously a very large asset for us. We appreciate Patterson Pope as a knowledgeable resource. This library is exactly what our community wanted, and it's been amazing to feel the love from everyone who comes in.”
The library's thoughtful design, with wide aisles and plenty of natural light, gives it an open, welcoming feel. Building a new library isn't easy — it's a long process — but working with pros like Patterson Pope made it all smoother.
“A project like this takes time and patience,” said Schuermann. “Ours took 960 days. Patience is everything. We have so many people to thank: the Loudermilk family for their generous financial support, our Chief County Commissioner Harry Lange for his hard work and support, and of course the professionalism of Patterson Pope. It all turned out really well.”
And Harris County isn't slowing down. There’s even a rumor that the library is starting a hula-hoop group soon. That’s great for residents… but we think we’ll stick to storage.
For more information on this project, check out the Case Study.
