Space Planning for Libraries

1
Space Planning for Libraries

• Eileen K. Saner
• Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary
• Elkhart, Indiana USA
• March 8, 2007

2
Managing in Existing Space

• Does everything need to be there?
• Move out non-library users
• Move out non-library materials
• Remote storage for lesser-used materials
• Weeding
• According to Collection Policy
• By topic, type of material, historical coverage
• By date/ number of circulations
• Using faculty

3
Add Shelving or Seating

• More shelves/unit
• Move oversized books to separate collection
• More units
• Narrow aisles (not less than 60 cm.)
• Fit shelving in wherever possible
• Floor loading (730 kg/meter2)
• Replace shelving with seating
• Seating preference

4
Moving into Other Space

• Adjacent rooms
• Floor is strong enough for books?
• 730 kg/metre2
• Level and smooth for shelving
• Reasonable temperature and humidity
• Avoid direct sunlight on books
• Lighting over book stacks
• Arrangement of collections and services
• What have you done?

5

6

7

8
Two Layouts for the Upper Room

• 1.5 m. between center posts
• Aisle width depends on width of shelves
• Aisle width at least .9 m.
• 6 rows of 7 sections
• 1.2 m. between center posts
• Aisle width depends on width of shelves
• Aisle width at least .6 m.
• 7 rows of 7 sections

9

10

11
Two Layouts for the Upper Room

• 1.5 m. between center posts
• Aisle width at least .9 m.
• 6 rows of 7 sections
• 1.2 m. between center posts
• Aisle width at least .6 m.
• 7 rows of 7 sections

12
Shelving layouts

• Upper Room (7.6 m. x 10.8 m)
• U.S. standard (90 cm. aisles) 6 rows x 7
  sections 42 sections
• Packed (60 cm. aisles) 7 rows x 7 sections 49
  sections
• Classroom down the hall ( 6.1 m. x 5.8 m.)
• U.S. standard (90 cm. aisles) 3 rows x 5
  sections 15 sections
• Packed (60 cm. aisles) 4 rows x 5 sections 20
  sections
• Reading Room (9.7 m. x 13.7 m)
• U.S. standard (90 cm. aisles) 8 rows x 10
  sections 80 sections
• Packed (60 cm. aisles) 11 rows x 10 sections
  110 section

13
Comparing Capacity

• Sections with U.S. Standard (91 cm. aisles)
• 15 42 80 137
• Sections with Packed (60 cm. aisles)
• 20 49 110 179
• Difference between U.S. Standard and Packed
• 42 sections
• Packed is 31 more shelving than Generous
• Moving 186 sections from lower level

14

15
Planning for New Space

• Clearly state assumptions and needs for
  decision-makers. Building Program
• Trends in environments
• Enrollment and seating for library users
• On campus, commuting, distance
• Tables, carrels, computers, group study rooms
• Nature of collection growth
• Money for purchasing and gifts
• Print, audiovisual and electronic

16
Planning for New Space

• Trends in environments (2)
• Library as place
• Integrating print and electronic resources
• Comfortable, productive environment
• Guidance from library professionals
• Collaboration (group study)
• How long will library serve?
• 20 years is the standard.
• Likely will be much longer. Expansion?

17
Space Needed

• Staff
• Work areas
• Materials storage
• Seating
• Numbers
• Tables, carrels, computers, soft chairs
• Small group study rooms, computer lab
• Noisy areas (traffic) and quiet areas

18
Space Needed for Materials

• Books and AV (individual items)
• Current collection
• Rate of growth
• Years for planning
• 75-80 shelf occupancy is full
• Periodicals
• Current collection
• Predictable rate of growth
• Years for Planning

19
Library Building Program (1)

• Introduction
• Vision and priorities
• Environmentally sustainable design
• Trends in library services and theological
  education
• Characteristics of the New Library
• Integrating print and electronic resources
• Environmental control

20
Library Building Program (2)

• Functional Relationships
• Areas to be close to the entrance and adjacent
• Description of Each Functional Area
• Activities in that area
• Space and furnishings needed
• Appendices
• Assumptions for collection growth

21
Journals Calculating Growth in Centimeters
22
Journals Projecting Shelving
23
Bookshelf Measuring Contents(in centimeters)
24
Measuring Bookshelf Contents(in centimeters)
25
Percent Shelf Occupancy
26
BooksCalculating Growth in Centimeters
27
Size of Collection in 20 Years
28
Sections of Shelving12 shelves per section, two
sides