After recently completing a massive renovation, the Westport Library in Westport, Conn. has become an active community space where visitors can not only check out books, but also interact with authors, host podcasts, create YouTube videos, and even attend rock concerts. At the center of it all is a massive Radiance LED Video Wall from Digital Projection that welcomes visitors to an innovative, educational, and entertaining environment unlike anywhere else.

After 2 years and a 20.8 million dollar transformation project, the Westport Library has redefined and modernized the concept of the public library.

“We wanted a space that would continue to grow, evolve, and change with the needs of the community. We wanted people to feel comfortable using the space to learn, study, and connect with each other however they saw fit. We also wanted to create a futureproofed space, supported by technology and equipment that could adapt to how we study and interact with one another now, and for the years to come,” says Rachel Pegnataro, director of marketing and communications for the Westport Library.

Reaching such a lofty goal needed a top-class team of integration experts. Fortunately, the team at DNR Laboratories was more than ready for the task.

“To create a public library space where guests could not only have meetings and give presentations, but also produce content and put on shows is no easy task, so we started redesigning the environment literally from the ground up,” says Don Gamsjager, founder & CEO of DNR Laboratories.

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The Largest Fine-Pitch LED Video Wall in Connecticut

The envisioned space called for a large-scale central display that would instantly grab visitors’ attention and remain bright and resolute, even in the natural light of the contemporary architecture. For DNR, that meant creating a display that not only offered high-quality visuals, but also support a myriad of events and scenarios.

“From the beginning, we knew we had to integrate something really special, so we engaged Digital Projection, whom we knew had a fantastic design and engineering team, to come up with the correct solution. Working with DP for over 9 months through the design phase, we arrived at the right display, at the right size, at the right resolution,” says Gamsjager.

The design culminated in the giant multi-purpose space aptly called “The Forum.” Able to accommodate up to 400 guests, the Forum is an open public environment and performing arts space that can easily adapt to hosting an expo, celebrity guest talk, or live music performance. At 18 feet wide and 10 feet tall, the impact of the Radiance LED Wall is felt as soon as you enter.

“The LED Wall is the centerpiece of the library. When you walk in, you won’t see a traditional library setup with a counter and books – there is a counter, and the largest HD+, fine-pitch LED Video Wall in the state!” comments Gamsjager.

LED Wall Helps Break Down Barriers

Both guest and staff reaction to the wall has been thoroughly positive. Powered by (81) 2.5mm pixel-pitch panels, the 247-inch diagonal LED Wall generates stunning visuals to accommodate all the library’s events.

“People love it!” says Pegnataro. “There was even one instance in which we were showing tennis matches from the Wimbledon tournament when suddenly spontaneous applause erupted from the guests. People were really connecting – strangers getting together and just sharing an experience in a really unexpected way.”

For Westport Library, the Radiance LED wall has elevated its outreach by giving them more options to engage with their guests.

“The LED Wall is a great way to market upcoming library programs. We recently played holiday movies during the holiday book fair to set the mood, which was spectacular. Overall, the LED Wall has been an incredible tool to have at our disposal – and it’s a lot of fun as well,” says Pegnataro.

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