Miller Hull

Libraries are shaped by the communities they serve and continue to evolve alongside them. Amongst Miller Hull’s long project history, libraries have always sat the core of our GATHER sector from 2006’s Northgate Library and Community Center to the Moorhead Community Center and Library opening this year. In celebration of 2026’s Library Week, partner Ruth Baleiko shares insights on how libraries are changing and what it takes to design spaces that truly support their users.

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Over your career, how have you seen libraries evolve—and what feels most different about how we design them today?
In some ways the program needs for libraries over the past 25 years have remained consistent: community meeting spaces, study rooms, vibrant areas for youth, and robust collections. Today there is definitely more attention paid to safety and accessibility for users and staff. The areas of evolution that are exciting are seen in the rich array of unique resources and experiences being provided for users. Libraries today continue to take a proactive approach to providing for their communities, rather than a passive approach which was more evident decades ago.

You’ve worked on a number of library projects (do you know how many?)—what draws you to this typology, and what keeps it interesting for you?
I am not sure about the number. It’s probably a few dozen or so? Libraries are my favorite project type, because who doesn’t love a new library?! No two libraries are the same.

How do Miller Hull’s library projects reflect the firm’s broader design ethos or values?
Our library projects reflect Miller Hull’s mission of Going Deep, Doing Good, and Being Bold:
• Going Deep into a community’s needs through early listening and robust outreach
• Doing Good by bringing our subject matter expertise around library design best practices and sustainability to create community investments in safety, accessibility, and resiliency.
• Being Bold in the way we look for ways to take a basic program need and elevate it into an iconic response.

Libraries today serve so many roles beyond books—how do you approach designing for that level of flexibility and community use?
The first step is to come in without any preconceived notions and to genuinely listen for what’s important to THIS particular community. By doing this, you are open to those original ideas bubbling up that can make for really special design responses.

Are there specific Miller Hull library projects that you feel really embody this shift or approach?
What makes them stand out? Some of the unique elements we’ve worked on recently are a Library of Things that checks out paddle boards in Deschutes County; a cold-weather walking loop in Moorhead, Minnesota; an emerging technologies lab in Bellevue, WA to name a few. I feel so fortunate to be invited to help make these community aspirations a reality!

Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of libraries—and what role do you think they play in communities today?
The Future of Libraries is in the hands of the amazing library professionals and their communities! The ideas they come up with to better care for specific needs and provide social infrastructure is inspiring and impactful.