Library
Buildings (L4L)
Planning
and Building Libraries
This is the premier site for library building on the Internet. It provides general
planning guides, guides for planning specific types of libraries, and information
on such topics as lighting, security, health, automation, and barrier-free design.
Public
Library Space Needs: A Planning Outline by Anders Dahlgren
"This outline is intended to help librarians and library trustees determine whether
to initiate a facilities planning process. By completing it, librarians and trustees
can obtain a general estimate of their library's space needs based on their library's
underlying service goals. With that estimate, planners can assess the adequacy
of their library's existing overall square footage and determine if a more detailed
study is called for." Published in 1998 when the author was a consultant at the
Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning, this continues to
be a standard resource.
Library
of Virginia: Facilities [pdf]
A brief document that outlines standards a library building should meet. As
in the Wisconsin Standards, varying levels of excellence are described: essential,
aspiring, and excel. You'll want to look at Appendix
C: Guidelines for Determining Space Needs [pdf] as well; specifications
are provided for print and non-print collections (e.g., open adult book shelving:
7 volumes per linear foot), study and leisure reading areas, staff work and
lounge areas, and computer, listening, and viewing stations, as well as some
miscellaneous areas like general meeting space.
ALA's
Building Libraries and Library Additions: A Selected Annotated Bibliography
'This fact sheet provides references to the tools, resources, and advice
to help you manage your library building project, whether large or small. " It
includes links to some resources that are online.
ADA
Accessibility Guidelines for Buildings and Facilities
See in particular Point 8 on Libraries.
Placemaking Resources
This is a site to browse for fresh ideas and a creative perspective. Suggestions
range from the inexpensive to the costly, from what one person can do to what
the whole community can do; from the immediate and practical to the visionary.
Signage, security, tips, background articles are just some of the resources
to explore. Whether you want to make your current space more inviting and effective
or are planning for a new building, stop and look at this. From the Project
for Public Spaces.
Creating
a User-Friendly Library with Signage
A special topic that merits attention even when you're not building
or remodeling the library, but is certainly valuable then. The site,
developed by Ellen Bosman, defines seven components of a user-friendly
library and then focuses on signage, her mission being "To heighten
awareness of library resources, improve library services, facilitate
library safety, and assist patrons in library usage through collection
and furniture arrangement and signage."
Moving
Library Collections
Here is a step-by-step guide to the sometimes overwhelming task of shifting
your collections from one place to another within the library. Planning the
move in detail reduces the probability of mistakes, but this guide even includes
advice on handling mistakes when they do happen. Worth reading before you start
moving your stuff.
Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)
This site provides helpful information about the LEED rating system. It includes resources, educational materials and other resources to assist with learning about green building. The Rosemary Garfoot Public Library in Cross Plains, is the first LEED-certified library in Wisconsin.
Titles Held in InfoSoup:
- The New Downtown Library: Designing With Communities
- Planning the Small Public Library Facility
- Library Buildings, Equipment, and the ADA
- Determining Your Public Library's Future Size
- Library Space Planning: A How-To-Do-It Manual
- Learning Environments for Young Children: Rethinking Library Spaces and Services
- Libraries Designed for Users
- Financing Public Library Buildings
- The Librarian's Facility Management Book
- Checklist of Library Building Design Considerations
Supporting public libraries in Outagamie and Waupaca counties