Sahara West Library and Museum
Architect(s): Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle and Tate & Snyder Architects (now Tate Snyder Kimsey Architects)
Address: 9600 W. Sahara Ave.
Year: 1996

This 119,000 square-foot library is the third in a series of libraries designed by high-profile architects commissioned by the Library District. The $15 million building has a distinctive entrance façade that faces away from busy Sahara Avenue. The concrete and metal structure features many expressionist forms and volumes. A tapered cylinder contains the children's reading room on the second floor and a serene, minimalist alcove with a single bench. The main reading area features natural daylight from the south-facing glazing but shading devices still offer protection from the summer sun. The facility features a fine arts museum operated by the Las Vegas Arts Museum, multiple meeting and conference rooms, a bookstore, and a computer center.

Library location and hours:
http://www.lvccld.org/about/locations/saharawest.html

Resources available in the ASL:

Anderton, Francis. Las Vegas: A Guide to Recent Architecture . London: Ellipsis, 1997. Arch NA 735 L3 A52

Benjamin, Caren. “Library year behind schedule.” Las Vegas Review Journal 19 June 1996: 1B, 3B. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 4

Collier, Lynn. “Library sets final deadline.” Southwest View 2 October 1996: 2AA. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 5

----------------. “Museum may get funding.” Southwest View 4 June 1996: 1AA, 2AA. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 9

“Construction of library is on schedule.” Latitude News 26 April 1996: 5. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 2

Dickensheets, Scott. “Out of the Box.” Las Vegas Life 2, n.11 (Aug. 1999): 32-35. ASL File #: GEN 8A

Garza, Nora N. “Museum funding in limbo for Sahara West Library.” Southwest View 20 February 1996: 7AA. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 6

Kroloff, Reed. “The other Las Vegas.” Architecture 85, n.4 (Apr. 1996): 78-89. Includes photos. ASL File #: GEN 1

Patterson, Joan. “Sahara West Library starting to take shape.” Southwest View 18 July 1995: 1AA, 3AA. Includes photos. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 3

Robertson, Alonza. “Nice museum, no funds.” Las Vegas Review Journal 11 March 1996: 1B, 3B. Includes photo. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 10

Rockcastle, Garth. “Reduction and Transformation of Architecture in Las Vegas.” The Discipline of Architecture . Piotrowski, Andrzej and Julia Williams (Ed.). Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press: 2001, 272-291. Includes project description, floor plans, and photos. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 15

“Sahara West Library and Fine Arts Museum.” Design Quarterly n.168 (Spring 1996): 26-34. Includes project statement and photos. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 8

Stein, Karen D. “Meyer, Scherer & Rockcastle's Sahara West Library and Fine Arts Museum is a world apart from the Las Vegas Strip.” Architectural Record 185, n.3 (Mar. 1997): 54-61. Includes photos. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 1

“The top 5 coolest buildings in Las Vegas.” Nevada Contractor 5, n.6 (Jun 2000): 18-22. Includes photos. ASL File #: GEN 2

UNLV Architecture Studies Library holds: Clark County Library District fact sheet about Sahara West Library. ASL File #: NAF (F) MSR 16

UNLV Architecture Studies Library holds: “Nevada Power Report: Electrical Power Estimate”. February 15, 1996. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 13

UNLV Architecture Studies Library holds: packet containing first and second museum floor plans and first and second library floor plans”. No date. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 14

UNLV Architecture Studies Library holds: pamphlet from Sahara West Library & Fine Arts Museum Grand Opening Celebration Week, January 31, 1997. Includes project description, floor plans and sketch. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 7

UNLV Architecture Studies Library holds: “Proposed Facility Operations for Sahara West Library”. May 1, 1993. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 11

UNLV Architecture Studies Library holds: “Request for Proposal Feasibility/ Museum Consultant”. No date. ASL File #: NAF(F) MSR 12

Information and image(s) also available on ASL's self guided architectural driving tours:
http://www.library.unlv.edu/arch/lasvegas/west04.html#002

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