Marta Mestrovic Deyrup - Creating the High-Functioning Library Space

CREATING THE HIGH-FUNCTIONING LIBRARY SPACE

EXPERT ADVICE FROM LIBRARIANS, ARCHITECTS, AND DESIGNERS

Marta Mestrovic Deyrup, Editor

Copyright 2017 by Marta Mestrovic Deyrup

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, except for the inclusion of brief quotations in a review, without prior permission in writing from the publisher.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Deyrup, Marta Mestrovic, editor.
Title: Creating the high-functioning library space : expert advice from librarians, architects, and designers / Marta Deyrup, editor.
Description: Santa Barbara, California : Libraries Unlimited, an imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC, [2017] | Includes bibliographical references and index.
Identifiers: LCCN 2016029361 (print) | LCCN 2016048852 (ebook) | ISBN 9781440840586 (paperback: acid-free paper) | ISBN 9781440840593 (ebook)
Subjects: LCSH: Library buildingsUnited StatesDesign and construction. | Library buildings RemodelingUnited States. | Library architectureUnited States | LibrariesSpace utilization United States.
Classification: LCC Z679.2.U54 C74 2017 (print) | LCC Z679.2.U54 (ebook) | DDC 022/.3dc23
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2016029361

ISBN: 978-1-4408-4058-6
EISBN: 978-1-4408-4059-3

21 20 19 18 17 1 2 3 4 5

This book is also available as an eBook.

Libraries Unlimited
An Imprint of ABC-CLIO, LLC

ABC-CLIO, LLC
130 Cremona Drive, P.O. Box 1911
Santa Barbara, California 93116-1911
www.abc-clio.com

This book is printed on acid-free paper

Manufactured in the United States of America

To my mother, Jane Esmay Mestrovic

Marta Mestrovic Deyrup

The contents of this book grew out of a series of discussions at the American Library Associations Annual Conference that Barbara Ittner and I had with architects, interior designers, and librarians at academic and public institutions who have a great deal of experience with library-building projects. All of us saw the need for a book that focused on providing practical information for library administrators and planning committees who have been put in charge of a building projectoften for the first and only time in their careers.

The idea behind Creating the High-Functioning Library Space was to create a book in which contributors could speak from their particular area of expertise and serve as evenhanded, unbiased consultants to you, the reader. Although the chapters stand on their own and can be read separately, the book is organized around core themes related to an expansion or renovation project: understanding the principles of good design and the current thinking about the best usage of library space; how to explain your vision to your administration and constituencies; working with your design and building teams; and handling technical issues specific to libraries, such as special collections security, lighting, and wiring for computers and other devices.

Some of the chapters are geared to academic librarians, some to public librarians, and some to both; however, the intended audience for this book is the library community. Because many of the contributors represent some of the top architectural firms involved in library projects today, it is hoped that the market also will include interested members of the design trades.

Retrofitting or expanding a building is one of the most costly and lasting decisions a library can make. We hope this book proves useful as you launch your building project. Smooth sailing!

Henry Myerberg

Form follows functionfirst coined by the famed American architect, Louis Sullivan, in 1896was the twentieth-century battle cry for modern design.

Creating a library space that performs well is a big project, no matter how small the space. Plan small changes to have big impacts. Moving chairs into a circle rather than a line can invite collaboration amongst strangers. If you are reading this book, you probably love libraries and are in the act of reconfiguring a library space. It is sometimes better to start with a small project to get people excited about something big later.

Libraries are evolving in order to survive and thrive. As library staff and services adapt to a changing technological, cultural, and economic environment, so must library spaces and their functions. Not just a place for books, libraries are adapting to the needs of people who want spaces to work, be online, learn new software, write a report, meet friends, hear a lecture, edit a film, start a business, do 3D printing, eat and drink, apply for a job, rest, receive social services, buy a gift, get free advice, and feel welcomed and safe. Almost any social and educational activity has the opportunity to take place in a library. The old-time library, once a warehouse for books, has turned into a department store for learning and an agency for career and social services. The first step is to identify and prioritize the activities your community needs. Successful evolution is a response to local conditions.

Lively exchange of ideas is a goal of libraries. Those ideas, however, do not come from books sitting on shelves alone. Ideas are more likely to flow in spaces that stimulate

Outside of asking a question at the circulation or reference desk, people generally kept to themselves in the traditional library. Today, libraries are social and collaborative places. Knowledge can easily be shared with other people in spaces that are conducive to conversation. Teens help seniors on the computers. Parents exchange tips at childrens programs. Interactions are opportunities to learn about a users expertise and share it with others. Overheard conversations can lead to business collaborations and potential job opportunities. The librarian is at the hub of all these conversations and can orchestrate collaborations.

Libraries were often perceived as quiet and reclusive. Now libraries can also be places for people to be seen and heard. Libraries once personified as introverts are now poised as extroverts.

Traditional libraries were generally staid places where printed information was stored and retrieved. The digital revolution liberated libraries to become dynamic places where any form of information can be exchanged and created. Modern libraries can foster multimedia creations. 3D printers teach design and demonstrate manufacturing in the library alongside roaming robots that teach and demonstrate computer programming. Information technology has not hindered the relevance of libraries. Instead, technology has enabled libraries to offer more useful services for more people through free Internet access and all kinds of computer software systems that might not be available at home.