HIT: Your recommendations for library construction and renovation

[Jeff Hastings <hastings@hps.k12.mi.us>]

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My friends:

In a recent post entitled something like "Tell me everything WRONG with your
library," I solicited your input to assist me in making recommendations to
our district (Howell, Michigan) and its architects on scheduled construction
and renovation projects.

A few days later, I had a ream or so of great suggestions, and wish to thank
everyone who responded most sincerely.  My second set of recommendations
went out today.

Though I can't thank you all individually, (I hope this HIT serves as a
practical expression of thanks) I am very grateful, especially for folks
like Bonnie Grimble, who was kind enough to mail a packet of materials
associated with her recent AASL National Conference presentation entitled
"Adventures in Building a Media Center."  I also should acknowledge that I
leaned heavily on the publication "Maine School Library Facilities Handbook"
which was recommended and is available online at
http://www.maslibraries.org/Publications/facilities_Handbook  That document
served me well as a sort of checklist to insure that all areas were being
covered and from which to tie in all of your well-expressed concerns.

Some of the recommendations in the attached document are specific to our
preferences here and don't apply universally, but most reflect both the
annoying trends and pleasing amenities you took time to tell me about.

Oh and--Rest assured:  If you are working in a new library that has a
glaringly ill-conceived flaw or three, you are not alone. Others out there
are working in basically the same mess as you. Few problems cropped up only
once.

Balm for your wounds...(?)

One last thing:  To the woman who told me about her fantastic, new facility
with the window overlooking the ocean:

I hate you.


Thanks!
Jeff Hastings
School Librarian (And all that entails)
Highlander Way Middle School
Howell, Michigan 48843

hastings@hps.k12.mi.us

http://scnc.hps.k12.mi.us/~hwms/content/library.html

This attachment is an ascii text version of what was originally an MS Word
document.  The format is scrunched and annoying, but I am aware that many of
you cannot open word documents.  I will attempt to send the same information
in it's original format straightaway. If you want to open the more readable
word doc, look for the second posting.






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HWMS Library Media Center
Memo
To:     Kingscott Architects
From:   Jeffrey Hastings, School Library Media Specialist
CC:     Dr. Breiner, Mrs. Anderson, Dr. Warrington
Date:   02/15/00
Re:     Itemized Guidelines for Library Media Center Construction/Renovation =
Projects.
I recently solicited input from School Library Media Specialists =
worldwide regarding their experiences, both positive and negative, with =
recent construction and renovations of school library facilities.  I =
have tried to distill the information I have received into an itemized =
list of concerns.
Doing so has been fairly easy, since their input revealed a recurring =
set of commonly encountered oversights and problematic trends as well as =
a set of satisfactory and pleasing elements.=20
1. Facilities should have a dedicated Online Public Access Catalog =
(OPAC) consisting of a cluster of computers located conspicuously on the =
library floor and situated on a high platform designed for stand-up use. =
 The catalog area requires AC power and network cabling and should be =
located within the natural flow of traffic from the library entrance.  A =
separate, lower catalog workstation should be available for use by the =
wheelchair bound.
2. Even among School Library Media Specialists who have recently moved =
into a new facility, the most common complaint by far is a simple lack =
of ac outlets.  Outlets should be available every three feet or so, and =
above and below shelving.  Floor pocket ac power delivery as well as =
network connection delivery is recommended as well to insure a facility =
which can most freely evolve.
3. Dependable, adjustable climate control is essential to the long life =
of library materials and hardware.  Both require a cool and dry =
environment year round, often somewhat cooler than desired in =
classrooms.
4. Sight lines from the library circulation desk to all areas of the =
library floor should be unobstructed whenever possible.  The same is =
true for library offices, which, ideally, have window views of the =
entire library floor.  Perimeter shelving accommodates unobstructed =
vision.  When freestanding shelving is employed it should be angled =
parallel to sight lines from the circulation desk.  Shelving should =
never be oriented parallel to the face of the circulation desk.
5. To facilitate the circulation of materials and placement of =
theft-deterrent systems, a library needs a single main entrance that is =
clearly recognizable as such, rather than multiple entrances/exits.  =
Multiple entrances present obvious security problems.  =
Secondary/Emergency exits should be distinctly secondary in their =
appearance, marked as such, and perhaps equipped with crashbar alarms.  =
To make the main entrance as inviting as possible, windowed entrances, =
perhaps with sidelights, are recommended.  Installing a lockable =
message/bulletin board/display also can enhance the entrance.

6. To facilitate presentations requiring projection, windows must have =
workable shades and lighting should be switchable and dimmable by area.
7. Lighting controls should allow for control of zoned lighting from =
several points in the library.
8. All windows should have treatments that eliminate u/v rays and =
subsequent damage to materials.  Windows on outside walls should be able =
to be opened.
9. Because computer monitors must be viewed at various areas on the =
library floor, direct lighting that would cause screen glare should be =
avoided.
10. Library Media Centers should be completely walled/windowed to =
establish a quiet space separate from noisy hallways and public spaces.  =
"Open design" libraries do not work.
11. Perhaps nothing is as important as having ample pleasant, workable =
space on the primary library floor for reading, browsing, listening, =
viewing, meeting and working.  One guideline suggests providing a =
minimum of clear space on the library floor according to the following =
per-capita formula: (student population x 10% x 40 sq. ft.)  See also =
item #16. Some features of the library floor follow:
A. This space should house the circulating core collection, with =
separate reference, fiction, non-fiction, biography, and paperback =
shelving areas, plus an area for browsing current magazine issues, =
displayed in face-out shelving.  (or an alternative collection breakdown =
as specified by the School Library media Specialist)
B. The retrospective periodical collection, audio-visual software =
collection, and professional library collection should not be housed on =
the main library floor, but stored in closed-stack rooms, adjoining the =
main floor.
C.  Electronic information retrieval should be facilitated in the same =
area on the library floor where print matter of that type is found.  =
(E.g., electronic encyclopedias in reference section.)  Therefore, power =
and cabling and computer furniture must be supplied on the library floor =
for groups of information retrieval workstations, especially in the =
reference and non-fiction collection areas.  To accommodate flexibility =
and emerging technologies, cable channels, runways and drops should dot =
the facility, and floor-pocket power and cabling access is ideal.
D. For each group of workstations, a data projection device and =
accompanying pull-down screen should be facilitated and placed to =
accommodate teaching the use of the resources delivered via the =
workstations.
E. A variety of seating should be available for students on the library =
floor. Lounge chairs and informal seating groupings are good choices =
near the current magazine collection. (This are is best located in plain =
view, near the circulation area.  Standard chairs with rectangular =
tables seating four persons each are the best choice for work areas, =
which are best placed in proximity of reference and non-fiction =
collections and their associated on-line tools.  Circular tables are =
best for informal seating near fiction areas.=20
F. The circulation area is an important component on the library floor, =
usually absorbing 300 to 400 sq. ft.  where materials are checked in and =
out.  It should be located very near the entrance to the library, and =
contain a large circulation desk, but one which can also quickly be =
exited.  (Not a large, unbroken "U" shape.  )  Common complaints =
regarding circulation desks is that they are too large, and that =
architect-designed desks often have serious functional deficiencies. The =
area behind the desk should not be accessible to student traffic and =
should have ample space and means of entry to accommodate at least two =
book trucks.  An important feature of the circulation desk is the book =
return drop, the drop-slot of which should face the main entry and be =
within easy distance of it.  The circulation desk should be at workable =
standing height for the population served.  Network wiring is necessary =
at the desk, which will house at least one computer dedicated to =
circulation.  A telephone/intercom is also required at desk. =20
G. Near the entrance and the circulation area, there should be located a =
series of stacked cubbies for bookbags and coats, which present security =
problems and are not allowed in the facility proper.
H. Shelving should be adjustable and moveable, with consideration given =
to height of students and accommodation to ADA regulations.  Extremely =
low shelving discourages browsing, as does extremely high shelving.
I. Informal shelving, easily browsed, such as rotary rack shelving is a =
good choice for accommodating paperback fiction collections.
J. Shelving should be no less than ten inches deep.  Permanently mounted =
and moveable bookends are a good option. =20
K. An atlas table with several shelves within, and a dictionary stand =
are required, as is a globe on a floor stand, all of which fall under =
the reference designation.
L. The library floor should have plenty of surfaces where visual =
material can easily be posted such as bulletin boards and whiteboards, =
plus several display cases and special display shelving for promoting =
breakout collections.
M. At least one clock should be readable when standing anywhere on the =
library floor.
N. Library floor should have seating and tables to accommodate at least =
one tenth of the school population.
12. Schools often wish to have electronic multimedia production areas =
adjoining their library media centers.  The activities undertaken in =
such areas are highly variable-from image scanning or sound recording, =
to video editing or full-blown, live television production. Form must =
follow function, of course, and the worst mistake is to attempt to =
impose a one-size-fits-all facility for these widely ranging purposes.  =
For modest purposes, for example, a couple small rooms may be ample, =
while television production requires specially configured rooms, robust =
power delivery, cabling, acoustic treatment, etc.  Architects must =
solicit a clear set of expectations from impacted building personnel =
regarding such facilities before attempting to design them.
13.  Another popular adjoining space is a group instruction room.  These =
facilitate direct instruction, reading aloud, storytelling, book talks, =
special presentations, video screening/conferencing, etc.  They are =
typically about 700 sq. ft.   Library media centers need spaces where =
classes and organizations can be instructed/meet/work in relative =
seclusion while the facility is being used by other classes and/or =
walk-in patrons.  A cleverly designed facility sometimes features a =
design that incorporates an area facilitating some measure of seclusion =
into the space of the main library floor. Highlander Way enjoys such a =
space with its Kiva, a sunken area in the midst of the library floor, =
which accommodates a class or meeting nicely without precluding the use =
of the rest of the facility.  However accomplished, classes and groups =
need such a space.  The area should facilitate large screen projection =
and have a wall-mounted monitor of at least 27."  A lectern, network =
access and whiteboard are also required.
14. An electronic control area is necessary in an adjoining room.  =
Typically this would house signal distribution equipment in the case of =
centrally distributed video/audio/data, as well as server hardware and =
hubs, circuit breaker panels, and networked resources used by the =
information retrieval workstations on the library floor. (CD-ROM towers, =
etc.)   The Highlander Way Library has evolved to the point where it =
delivers electronic information via both WAN connect machines, and =
smaller LAN workgroups.  Having small areas off the library floor to =
stick hubs and servers makes such setups easier to deliver.=20
15. It should be noted that if the school plans to have locally =
produced, live television delivered from a studio adjoining the media =
center, the electronic control area should either adjoin or be =
incorporated into the television control room so that the signal from a =
video switcher can be input to headend distribution without undue =
difficulty.  The electronic control area is also commonly the site of =
the incoming drop for cable and satellite delivered signals.
16. An equipment storage area is required for centrally distributed =
audio-visual hardware.  (Typically 400-450 sq. feet ) Media specialists =
warn that central signal distribution may reduce, but never eliminates, =
the need for such storage which typically contains overhead projectors, =
p.a. equipment, video/data projectors, portable projection screens, and =
various other classroom support hardware. Often this space can also be =
used to house the closed-stack shelving for the school's audio-visual =
collection (DVDs, Videos, CDs, etc.) which should be cataloged and =
shelved in a space conveniently browsable by faculty, but apart from the =
main library floor.   The audio-visual storage area should be placed so =
that hardware can be easily moved from the facility.  Proximity to an =
elevator is a big plus.
17. An office for media center administration is necessary with a large =
desk and table workspace, network cabling/access/ ac power to =
accommodate computer(s) and several peripherals, shelving and room to =
park a book truck.  A telephone/intercom is necessary, as is an added =
telephone line to accommodate a fax machine. A three-drawer filing =
cabinet is necessary. Often, the library media specialist's tasks =
relating to collection development and acquisition, and subsequent =
cataloging are accomplished from this office-a substantial portion of =
the workload.  The office should have an unobstructed view of the =
library floor and present a fa=E7ade which invites patrons to stop by =
with their inquiries.  It should have guest seating for two or three =
persons. It should adjoin the workroom.
18. Having offices in an area adjacent to the circulation desk is a =
plus.  Personnel often have to bounce from desk to office, and materials =
are commonly shuffled from workroom to circulation.
19. The workroom is a critical part of the LMC wherein book and hardware =
repairs, materials processing, (which includes the labeling, bar-coding =
covering and packaging of materials.  sorting and the production of =
supplemental materials are accomplished.  A sink and plenty of counter =
space with electrical plug molds, shelving, a few chairs, a table and =
large amounts of varied storage for tools and materials is necessary.  =
Often, this workspace also serves as a lunch area and a staging area for =
catering meetings held in the facility.  A small complement of kitchen =
items is usually required on hand; utensils, some dishes, coffee maker, =
towel dispenser, microwave, refrigerator, etc.  Easy movement from the =
room to the library floor is necessary.
20.  A typical space guideline for a Middle School with a capacity of =
950 calls for a minimum of 4773 square ft. useable student space and =
1100 sq. feet non-student space, 5873 total.
21. A room for storage of retrospective periodicals in closed-stacks is =
necessary to insure prompt access to the research collection through an =
orderly collection.  Movable shelving is ideal.  The openings between =
such shelves are generally closed until an opening is created by sliding =
the entire complement of shelves, thus saving considerable space.  =
Highlander Way has such shelving at present.  Periodical indexing and =
access via computer should be delivered through a workstation group =
stationed as close as possible to the periodical storage room, since the =
two resources usually work in tandem.
22. Calculating the shelving lengths needed.
a. Standard size books: 10 books per foot.
b. Reference books:  6 books per foot.
c. Current periodicals:  Face out shelving; one per foot.
d. A healthy middle school library serving 900 may typically hold about =
10, 000 volumes in open stacks.
e. 40 periodical subscriptions would be typical for same.
f. Shelves should be only two thirds full.  (multiply linear feet =
required by 1.33)
g. The top and bottom most shelves should be initially reserved as =
display space and used for future expansion of the collection.
h. A typical middle school library with a collection roughly the size of =
Highlander Way's, might require some 1500 linear feet of shelving, plus =
forty linear feet of current magazine shelving.  This only covers the =
shelving on the open library floor, not closed stack shelving (for =
retrospective periodicals and audio-visual software.)

23. Allow space and AC power for a coin-operated copier near the =
reference area.
24. Remember to have open shelving installed behind circulation desk for =
reserves and other materials.
25.  Consider purchasing shelving with tilted bottom shelf for better =
readability.
26. Security systems are recommended for new secondary libraries.
27. Balconies in libraries are commonly cited as "functional disasters."
28. Main library floor should be acoustically "dead," and free of =
reverberation.
29. Cathedral ceilings often cited as exacerbating acoustic problems.
30. Put circuit breaker in a workroom so that staff can switch off =
computer workgroup power conveniently.  Have power delivery broken into =
many zones.
The source materials used can be made available upon request as can a =
bibliography of related works.  Contact: hastings@hps.k12.mi.us =20


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