Bellevue (William O. Lockridge) Library

Services and Features

The 22,000 square foot library features:

• Welcoming spaces with comfortable seating
• ​More than 40,000 books, DVDs and other library materials with a capacity to hold up to 80,000
• Children’s Story Room for storytelling and other children’s activities
• Dedicated areas for adults, children and teens
• 40 computers with free Wi-Fi Internet access
• Laptops for personal use or computer training classes
• 100-person community room adjacent to a new outdoor patio
• Two 12-person conference rooms
• Four quiet study rooms
• Environmentally-friendly design

As part of the construction project, the Library partnered with the Department of Local Small Business Development to launch a new Mentor-Protege program. The program identifies small certified local businesses to be mentored by larger businesses with the goal of creating more opportunities for small firms to work on government contracts. Coakley Williams, Inc. served as the mentor to Blue Skye Development Company, LLC to build the new library.Photo Credit: Jeffrey Sauers

Awards and Certifications

• LEED GOLD Certification from the US Green Building Council 2013
• Engineering New Record 2012 Mid-Atlantic Best Government/Public Building Project, Award of Merit
• AIA DC Chapter, Merit Award 2012
• AIA Potomac Valley, Merit Award 2012
• Royal Institute of British Architects, International Award 2013

Community Input

The library hosted focus groups and conducted surveys with residents to learn what programs and services are most important to them. Participants also were asked about what design features they would like to see in their new library.

The architect presented preliminary designs for the new library at a community meeting on March 31. The architects took feedback from that meeting and refined the designs, which were again shared with the community at a meeting on June 30.

History of the Bellevue Library

Here is a link to information on the original 1959 Bellevue library building.