Application Spotlight Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library Inspiring Reading, One Book at a Time” is the mantra at the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library, and what better place to start inspiration than in the children’s section? In hopes of creating a life-long passion for reading within young visitors, the Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library turned to a trusted design partner: Central Graphics of Cuyahoga Falls, OH, for help. Central Graphics—a firm specializing in production and installation of graphics, signs, and wraps for a variety of applications—had worked with the library in the past, helping to reinvent spaces designed for adult education and meetings by installing colorful, inspiring wall graphics. Based on their success, the company was engaged again for a new, more challenging task: redesigning the children’s reading area. The goal was to create a magical oasis where library patrons and children can explore and transport themselves to anywhere their imagination takes them, emulating the experience of reading a highly engaging book. The project incorporated multiple levels of the building and graphic designs that featured a bright, cheerful, continuous scene that extended throughout the entire children’s area. Patrons begin their journey to the second level surrounded by beautiful underwater scenery and emerge “above ground” upon reaching the second floor. Here, a floor-to-ceiling environment was installed with 360-degree wall graphics featuring a pond theme, providing young minds a stimulating and imaginative experience. “I’m so happy with the way this project turned out,” remarked Ann Malthaner, Head of Marketing and Public Relations, Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library. “The success of this transformation was a personal goal for me, and it’s been very well received. We’ve seen a 40,000 increase in circulation recently, and word is spreading about this new, fun space. Parents ask us, ‘Wow, can I move in?’ and children ask if they can have a design like this in their rooms at home. It inspires them to play and learn here—they love it, and so do we.” Using 54-inch rolls of MACtac REBEL 529R—a gloss white facestock with a removable adhesive and lay-flat liner—plus careful installation techniques, Central Graphics made the space come to life exactly as imagined by library staff. Since the space will be regularly used and wear and tear is inevitable, Central Graphics decided to use MACtac PERMACOLOR ColorGard LUV—a 3.2-mil overlaminate with a clear, permanent acrylic adhesive and a matte finish—to keep the graphics looking great for years to come. The installers had to work around windows, doors, curved surfaces, large pillars, and other challenging elements of the architecture. They were able to turn the challenge into an opportunity by creating a three-dimensional feel to the space with pillars wrapped to look like trees, graphically designed “curtains” surrounding windows, customized garbage can wraps, and more. “While the large dimensions, multi-level nature, and three-dimensional design of the graphics application presented their share of challenges,” explained Jeff Loofboro, Managing Director for Central Graphics, “we had the support of knowledgeable, easily accessible MACtac personnel to help us find the right products and get the job done right. Expert guidance and material samples are always just a quick phone call or visit away with MACtac, and we’ve been very satisfied with the MACtac products we have used for the past 15 years.” PROJECT PROFILE Challenge: Creating a magical environment for children in a diverse architectural area Production Shop: Central Graphics Group Customer: Stow-Munroe Falls Public Library Application: Wall and architectural graphics Find this article at MyPRINTResource.com/12073419 MyPRINTResource.com Wide-Format Imaging | July 2015 19 Photos by Central Graphics “ After Before
Wide-Format Imaging July 2015
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