Among the topics of discussion at LJ's latest Design Institute (DI), a daylong seminar on building and design hosted at the Hughes Main Library of the Greenville County Library System (GCLS) in early November, were the challenges of urban vs. rural development and of responding to changing user needs. The event was the eighth in LJ's series on building and design, and the first to consciously focus on rural issues. "Things move a little slower in rural areas," said Kristen Setzler Simensen, director of Calhoun County Library, St. Matthews, SC, where a new 12,500 square foot library was recently built alongside a workforce development center. "There's a sense of pride and ownership through the process in small communities that can be difficult to navigate." At this go-round. the commitment to sustainability was a given, driven by a cost-conscious economy. With energy costs paramount in funders' minds, panelists said, most cities and towns are going to support such initiatives, whether they are called "green" or not. Other repeated themes included the increased need for flexible design amid changing technologies and learning behaviors and the importance of building strong partnerships early on, not just with potential funders and donors but with your community, the local press, and the constellation of partners within your design team. Held in partnership with the South Carolina State Library and GCLS, DI Greenville was sponsored by the following architectural firms: Hidell Associates, Craig Gaulden Davis, H3 Hardy Collaboration Architecture, Holzheimer Bolek + Meehan | Architects, Humphries Poli Architects, and PSA-Dewberry. Vendor sponsors included AGATI Furniture, Brodart Contract Furniture, DEMCO Library Interiors, Estey/Tennsco, Spacesaver Corporation, and TechLogic. For full coverage of DI Greenville as well as a discussion of products, trends, and case studies relating to multiple aspects of library design, look for the spring 2011 Library by Design supplement, to publish with the 5/15/11 issue of LJ.