Furniture companies, industry related schools and organizations will use new meeting room for sales meetings, design competitions, industry association functions, and art showings.
The Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library, that houses the largest collection of books on furniture styles, design, construction and architectural detail in the world, announced that it is undertaking a significant renovation project.
The Library’s research collection consisting of over 8,000 volumes will be moved to the renovated first floor of the historic building located at 1009 North Main Street, High Point, NC. Additionally, three upstairs rooms will be converted into one large community room for use as a lecture and meeting hall. The Library expects that the furniture industry, related schools and organizations will use it for sales meetings, design competitions, industry association functions, and art showings.
A kitchenette will be added to serve or cater from, and larger restroom facilities will be created for group functions.
“Colleges will soon be able to hold classes in the Library and then allow students to do research and practical design work,” noted Charles Sutton, President of the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library. “We also have ambitious plans in the works for making the collection more widely available for research worldwide. A number of initiatives will be announced in 2012 to reach out to individuals, companies and educational institutions that can benefit from the Library’s expanded programs and facilities.”
Karla Webb, who joined the Library as Curator earlier this year added, “The project should be completed well in advance of the October High Point show. We are compiling a list of companies and organizations interested in using the new facilities going forward (call 336-883-4011 or email info@furniturelibrary.com). They will be contacted as the project nears completion.
About the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library: The Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library was founded in 1970 by Furniture World Magazine and its Publisher Sandy Bienenstock as a not for profit library serving the home furnishings industry.
Its permanent collection includes over 8,000 volumes on furniture and design dating back to 1620. Included are many rare and out of print volumes such as first editions of works by Chippendale, Sheraton, Hepplewhite and Eastlake, the only complete set of Diderot's Encyclopedias in the US, and thousands of current volumes.
The Library is located in a beautifully restored stone house near the furniture exhibition center in High Point. Over 25 scholarships are awarded, but the Library annually to institutions having furniture and interior design programs. The Library also stocks and sells more than 600 volumes on furniture style, design and construction for sale online at www.furniturelibrary.om and also at several additional locations during the International Furniture Market in High Point.
To get more information on the Bernice Bienenstock Furniture Library or make a donation, contact Karla Webb at 336-883-4011 or info@furniturelibrary.com.