While it officially was designated as the Multipurpose Room\, the deep red carpet gave it the name that the community would call it: the Red Room. \; Created as part of the original design of the Cleo Rogers Memorial Library\, the Red Room was meant to be a flexible space that could host a wide variety of events\, like children&rsquo\;s story times\, author visits\, and movies. \; While there hasn&rsquo\;t been a formal connection established\, one has to believe that Pei was inspired by the conversation pit at the Eero Saarinen designed Miller House. \; The intimacy and connectedness of the sunken living rooms fit the purposes of the room well. \; \;
\nHowever\, after over 50 years\, the Red Room was due for an upgrade. Handicap accessibility was a top priority in the renovation. \;While there wasn&rsquo\;t enough room for a ramp\, the floor \;has been \;raised one \;level \;eliminating one stair\, so that all the remaining steps and landings \;could \;be made much wider. Wheelchairs and strollers can now move all the way around the room on the top level. \; Also\, a hand rail has been placed on one wall which will help patrons \;making \;their way to the bottom level. \;In addition to expanding accessibility\, there have been many improvements made to the technology and AV equipment. Finally\, \;a custom carpet\, using the original carpet samples housed in the Columbus Indiana Architectural Archives\, \;was created to bring back the ruby red of the past.
\n