Wisconsin State Law and Justice Center

Founded in conjunction with the Wisconsin Territory by an Act of Congress in 1836, the Wisconsin State Library, as it was then known, is now the oldest library in the state. Created to serve the needs of the territorial legislature, in 1876 it became part of the judicial branch, and so remains today an agency of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.

The recent renovations of the Madison-based law library were part of an extensive renovation of the Wisconsin State Capitol and construction of the Justice Center Building. The library, which was housed on the fourth and fifth floor of the Capitol until 1999, required relocation in order to fully service the needs of the public and the Department of Justice.

The project involved the planning, design and execution of a temporary space and a new permanent facility, handled as a joint venture between Bloomfield & Associates, Architects and Wallace, Roberts & Todd, LLC. DeLeers Millwork was responsible for providing the fine architectural millwork befitting a library of such significant historical stature. The new library, completed in January 2002, now occupies 31,000 square feet distributed over two floors of the nine-story Justice Center.

When the library agreed to move out of the Capitol to make room for additional legislative offices, it was not allowed to remove any of the original Oak tables, chairs or trim. As the challenge for DeLeers was to recapture the original library's essence, the use of wood as a major design component was integral to this project.Woodwork was incorporated throughout the library to bring warmth, elegance and style to the space. Maple was selected for its light color, durability and timelessness, while Cherry was used primarily as an accent. Circulation and reference desks were fabricated out of Maple, with black granite tops. Maple and Cherry wall paneling was featured in the first floor lobby, second and third floor library and Rare Book Room, as well as in the elevator lobbies. Built-in bookcases, a built-in dictionary stand, columns and arches in the reading room, shelving, carrels in the atrium area, and periodical tables were also provided in a combination of Maple and Cherry.

The predominant use of wood is complemented by other materials such as black glass on the columns and granite on the desks. Hardwoods were chosen for durability and species with a cleaner brighter look were specified as opposed to the dark, heavily grained Oak that was used in the original library.

The historical significance of the library’s collection is reflected in the plan and visual imagery. The circulation desk, public access stations, Reading Room, user workrooms, Rare Book Room, and access between floors are all located within a central spine. This core area was finished with specialty lighting and materials, including extensive architectural woodwork. The remainder of the space is allocated to the book stacks with small reading tables at the perimeter windows. The flanking stack areas were constructed more simply and economically.

Design of the custom woodwork incorporated a system of parts including paneling, trim and specialty items to produce walls, column covers, desks and display cases. A system of both functional and decorative reveals ties these separate parts into a whole. DeLeers' accuracy and attention to detail made it possible for this system of parts to ultimately appear seamlessly connected.

In the Rare Book Room, intricate detailing was required in functional items such as display cases, drawers, and overheads, as well as in the paneling beams, pilasters and column covers. The room is surrounded by glass-front wood bookcases that protect and elegantly display the library’s collection of rare books. Maple cabinets were designed to accommodate a variety of shelves, drawers and spaces for oversized books. Columns in the area are a combination of Maple and Cherry and serve as a beautiful accent to the Maple bookcases. Cherry tables and chairs, along with incandescent lighting, create a wonderful ambiance throughout the room.
The second floor Reading Room impresses with its arched ceiling, reminiscent of the Capitol building. A series of columns divides the tables from the surrounding stack areas, and creates the intimacy of a quiet study room without walls.

In the library's corridors, Maple light coves are designed to give the impression of clouds suspended from the ceilings. These “clouds” provide a very distinct design to the project, which enhances the overall environment. Additionally, the library's circulation desk was especially challenging due to the extensive coordination, required for the veneer panels, granite top and stainless steel rim. Throughout the project, DeLeers Millwork produced extensive and accurate shop drawings, was responsive to comments and questions, and provided valuable suggestions and mockups.