Best of Core Forum Webinar: Elevating Public Spaces: Universal Design, Safety, and Community Voice in a Major Library Renovation

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Best of Core Forum Webinar: Elevating Public Spaces: Universal Design,
Safety, and Community Voice in a Major Library Renovation

Date: Tuesday, June 2, 2026

All webinars are one hour in length and begin at 11 am Pacific, noon
Mountain, 1 pm Central, and 2 pm Eastern time.



Description:

Embarking on a major capital renovation presents unique challenges and
opportunities, especially when transforming a well-loved public space. This
session will explore how the library and design team embraced universal
design principles, community input, and adaptive problem-solving to
reimagine a prominent library space. From navigating unforeseen
construction challenges—such as misaligned as-built drawings—to
prioritizing safety, sustainability, and inclusivity, this discussion will
highlight key takeaways for libraries planning their own capital projects.
Attendees will gain insight into the power of collaboration and the
importance of designing by the people, for the people.

Learning outcomes:


   -

   Democracy in the Design Process: Participants will learn effective
   methods for gathering and incorporating community input into renovation
   projects, ensuring spaces reflect the needs and aspirations of their users.
   -

   Principles of Universal Design: Attendees will understand how universal
   design fosters safety, accessibility, and joy in public spaces and gain
   strategies to implement these principles in their own projects.
   -

   Adaptive Project Management: Participants will explore strategies for
   overcoming unexpected construction challenges while maintaining design
   intent, budget, and project momentum.


Who should attend?

Administrators, facilities planners, anyone planning on undertaking a major
renovation, anyone interested in how universal design and community input
can be applied to building projects.

Presenters:

Eman Siddiqui is an award-winning architect from Salt Lake City, UT. Raised
in Karachi, Pakistan, and trained in Lawrence, Kansas, Eman brought her
background in sports architecture to the resort and hospitality practice at
GSBS Architects. Her strong interest in equity and diversity in
architecture led her to found the Utah.

Ben Rodes is a Landscape Architect with GSBS Architects in Salt Lake City,
UT, with over 10 years of experience in the public and private realm. He
has practiced in Seattle, Boise, and Salt Lake City. Ben is passionate
about playing outside in nature and believes that everyone should have
access to the outdoors. As an adaptive athlete, Ben is passionate about
inclusive design and creating public spaces that provide a welcoming
environment to all users, allowing them to thrive in their communities.
When Ben is not at his desk, you can find him in the Wasatch Mountains
close to his home.

Daniel Neville-Rehbehn is the Chief Service & Impact Officer at the Salt
Lake City Public Library, where he leads system-wide strategy with a focus
on community-centered services and inclusive public spaces. With a
background in design and community engagement, his work bridges
organizational strategy and the built environment, helping translate
library values into safe, welcoming, and functional spaces. Daniel has
played a key role in guiding major capital projects by centering community
voice, universal design, and adaptability throughout the process. He lives
in Holladay, UT with his husband, young son, and a pair of unruly pets.

*****************

Registration fees for webinar:  Core Member $57.85; ALA member: $80.10;
Student member $44.50; Non-member $89.00

For additional information and access to registration links, please go to
the following website:
https://elearning.ala.org/local/catalog/view/product.php?productid=1688

Core webinars are recorded and registrants receive a link to the recording
shortly following the live event.

For questions about registration, contact ALA Registration by calling
1-800-545-2433 and press 5 or email registration_at_ala.org.

For all other questions or comments related to Core webinars, please
contact Core CE staff at corece_at_ala.org.

*Posted on behalf of the Core Continuing Education Committee.*

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