DESIGNING

A FINE LIBRARY







TOOLS FROM THE KLA STANDARDS

COMMITTEE, THE REGIONAL SYSTEMS

AND THE KANSAS STATE LIBRARY









Table Of Contents


PART ONE

Introduction

Needs Assessment: The Starting Point

Evaluating Alternative Building Plans

Selecting an Architect

Marketing the Building Project

Financing the Building Project

Site Selection

Developing the Plans

Construction

Moving

The Celebration

Evaluation



PART TWO

Standards For Kansas Public Libraries - Physical Facilities 2006

Space Planning For Physical Facilities

Bibliography of Publications on Library Building Programs










INTRODUCTION


This publication is intended to help trustees and staff of smaller public libraries plan for building programs.

This document places a heavy emphasis on early planning for building projects, since many costly mistakes result from inadequate planning. It also contains an outline of planning, construction monitoring, moving and evaluation.

A building program is one of the most fascinating, yet stressful, projects that a library board and staff can undertake.

A beautiful, effective public library is a source of pride for the entire community. It enhances the quality of life for the community. It is a surprisingly important tool for economic development for the community.

Library trustees have every right to be very proud when they bring this gift to the community. It is worth doing but it is very important to do it right.

Many of the headaches and heartaches of implementing building projects and many of the errors in the completed buildings could have been avoided with effective communication and thoughtful planning.

A good building team can say:

- They have received effective input from the library director, the staff, the janitorial staff, the system consultants, the heavy library users and the community leaders.

- They have considered the needs of the children, the elderly and those in fragile health in their building design.

- They have taken the time to consider the effective design of EVERY area of the library.

- They are aware of the legal steps that must be taken to plan and implement a building program.

- They have excellent two-way communication with the architect.

- They are keeping a copy of every document connected with the building project.

- They know who will be most closely monitoring the actual construction.

- They have carefully considered how they will meet any additional costs in operating the new facility.

A building team must be able to work together. If the library board has had some communication problems or if some trustees do not have the building program as a major interest, then it is better to assign the director a building committee rather than have the board function as a committee of the whole.

Because a building program is a complex project with many details and legal requirements, it is very important that someone be assigned to keep a copy of every document connected with the building project, from early planning through completion and evaluation. These documents should be kept as part of the library's permanent records. The most legally critical documents, such as titles, deeds and contracts should be kept in a secure location such as a safe or safety deposit box.

A building team that doesn't keep a paper trail can find themselves in serious difficulty if legal, logistical or financial controversies arise.

If you are in any doubt about the payoff for careful planning, please review the following list of errors that turn up over and over again. They have been collected for your use by Kansas consultants.

- incorrect cost projections that force the cutting of realistic space requirements
- inadequate parking
- improper drainage
- carpets or furnishings not durable enough to stand up to library use
- inflexible furnishings than can never be moved
- lack of proper signage
- problems with roof seams, flat roofs and skylights
- problems with heating and air conditioning units
- north facing or poorly protected entrances
- underestimation of the level of technology that will be needed by the library in the coming years
- inflexible and inadequate wiring
- an extremely inadequate number of outlets
- inadequate compliance with accessibility requirements
- poorly lighted restrooms
- inadequate storage
- inadequate work space for the staff, no private space for the director
- no staff room
- poor visual control of library by staff
- lack of security and unsupervised exits
- poor acoustics
- inadequate lighting
- meeting rooms without storage, kitchen facilities or a separate entrance
- inadequate arrangements for children's programs
- underestimation of the costs of operating the new and expanded facility
- no provision for future expansion

Back to top


NEEDS ASSESSMENT: THE STARTING POINT



Determining the Library's Current Service Needs

A library board should not implement a building program without a good understanding of the community they serve.

Sometimes the board and the director feel that they do know the community well and they neglect to do any systematic information gathering. It is true that they do know a great deal but they are usually working with limited information about certain parts of the community and outdated perceptions about others and this can result in a flawed building.

All planning, from the simplest to the most sophisticated, consists of four basic parts. Where are we now? Where do we want to go? How will we get there? How will we measure our success?

A public library's needs assessment should include:

- Current demographic information on the community, including a breakdown of the population by age, gender, ethnic groups, language and education

- Current economic information on the community, including employment, income, poverty, public assistance, industrial and commercial activities, electronic communication, health services and educational facilities

- Current information on religious organizations, cultural organizations and activities and recreational facilities

- Information on special interest groups in the community such as hunters, sportsmen, boaters, gardeners, quilters, hot air balloonists, genealogists

- Circulation statistics and patterns of use

Check the number of times you would multiply the official service population to get the annual circulation. If it is less than three, the library's circulation is way too low. If it is more than twelve, there may be serious strain on the library's current resources.

- A review of the current strengths and weaknesses of the library

What assets does the library have that you can build on? Is there a friendly staff, a good reference librarian, a strong Friends group?

What weaknesses does the library need to correct? Is there a too-small video collection, inadequate space for children, poor signage, an invisible interlibrary loan program, poor public relations?


Assessing the Current Physical Facility

What is the condition of the exterior of the building? What work does it need?

What is the condition of the interior of the building? What work does it need?

What would it take to make the restrooms welcoming, well-lit and completely barrier free?

Is there elevator access to all floors?

What technology development does the library need and how much space will this technology take? How does the wiring infrastructure need to be improved to support it? Has the library conferred with the system automation consultant?

Is there enough stack space for the present collection? Is the collection properly weeded? What is the net growth of the collection - acquired items minus weeded items?

Is there adequate space for videos, audio tapes, periodicals, paperbacks and other collections? Which of these need major expansion to meet community needs?

Is there adequate study seating for library users?

Is there a pleasant area where library users can sit in comfortable chairs to read?

For information on projected space needs, please see Appendix B.


Planning for Barrier Free Access

It is not only illegal, but legally hazardous, to plan a building that is not completely barrier free. While small town residents may not see a lot of wheelchairs or guide dogs, small communities usually have many older residents with health conditions that are covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act. These can include but are not limited to: heart conditions, diabetes, cancer, aids, bad backs, impaired eyesight, impaired hearing, impaired mobility, impaired dexterity. Any community resident can become temporarily disabled by injury or illness and they are also covered by the ADA. Information on ADA compliance may be requested from the Kansas State Library.

Every library building project must result in:

- barrier free access to all floors via elevator
- well lighted, completely barrier free restrooms
- adequate lighting
- large, clear signs for both stacks and departments
- stack aisles of at least 36 inches, stack perimeters of at least 42 inches
- periodical shelving that rises no more than 50 inches off the floor
- computer and terminal access that can be used in a seated position
- audible and visible smoke detectors and fire alarms

For assistance in planning barrier free access, please see Appendix C in the Public Library Standards at http://skyways.lib.ks.us/kansas/KSL/development/standard2000.html#appendixA

NOTES:
















Back to top


EVALUATING ALTERNATIVE BUILDING PLANS



Remodeling the Present Structure

Remodeling the existing library facility is usually the first alternative to consider. It may be a viable alternative if:

- The use of space in the present facility is awkward and unworkable, yet the building has sufficient flexibility to allow the correction of these problems.

- There is a second level that could become public use space or another part of the building is becoming available to the library.

- The site is a good location for a public library and offers opportunities for future expansion.

- The basic fabric of the building is in reasonably good shape. Both the building and the building site should be carefully checked before this investment is made.

- The re-configured building will meet the needs of changing library technology.

- The completed building will offer complete barrier free access.

- There is adequate parking.

A remodeling project is not a cost effective option if it offers only a short term, band-aid approach to the library's space problems. Unless the advantages of remodeling are clear, it would be wiser to work for an expansion.


Expanding the Present Facility

Expansions are the most common kind of library building project and often the most feasible. But an expansion is also the type of project that demands the most rigorous and careful planning. The board and staff must plan to meet user needs as effectively as though they were starting from scratch and then integrate these needs into a building that is partly in existence and partly in the future. The configuration of the existing building should not be allowed to drive the project. Effective communication between the building team and the architect is critical.

An expansion may be appropriate if:

- The building expansion will allow for at least twenty years of growth.

- There is room for both the building expansion and adequate parking.

- The existing building is in reasonably good condition. Both the building and the site should be checked carefully for potentially expensive problems.

- The building is in a good location for a public library. A library in a poor location is not a good investment.

- The community feels a strong loyalty to the existing building. In this case, it will be easier to sell an expansion project than a new building.

- The project will result in a brand new library. A stranger should not be able to tell where the old facility ends and the new addition starts. Both the former facility and the addition should be beautiful, welcoming, up to date and effective.


Converting an Existing Building

Many attractive and effective libraries were once markets, stores, banks or post offices. Converting an existing building can be a good idea but this option must be approached with care.

The most common mistake that library boards have made is to underestimate the costs involved in turning a building into a modern, effective public library. The completed building will need to accommodate the heavy collections, extensive technology, flexible furnishings, excellent lighting and barrier free access demanded by modern public library needs.

Some buildings are so difficult to convert that they are actually MORE expensive than building a new library.

Converting an existing building can be a viable option if:

- The building is in an excellent location for a public library.

- The building is properly priced for the benefits it will offer the library.

- The building will allow for at least twenty years of growth for the library.

- The building supplies a satisfactory amount of open space. A load-bearing wall in the wrong place can result in an unsatisfactory layout for the finished library.

- The building is in reasonably good condition and the site poses no special problems. Both the building and the site should be checked carefully.

- The structure is strong enough to withstand the 150 pounds per square foot weight of loaded book shelving.

- The ceilings are high enough to accommodate full height shelving and still have 12 to 18 inches to the ceiling to allow for proper light in the stacks.

- The site of the building allows for both adequate parking and future expansion.

- The building is barrier free or can be made barrier free at a modest cost.

- The building offers enough flexibility to allow the comprehensive wiring needed for library technology and an effective system of heating and cooling.


Building a New Facility


Building a new facility is expensive but it should be seriously considered. If this option is eliminated it should be for explicitly stated reasons.

A new building offers maximum efficiency of space utilization. It can be designed with high energy efficiency, flexible wiring, flexible furnishings, adequate outlets, adequate storage and maximum visual control for a small staff. A new building can also be designed to anticipate future expansion, cutting the cost of later additions.

A new building allows the architect to offer the best assistance to the building team. If the new facility is well designed, it offers the best possible public library for a small community. But such designs are the result of careful planning and effective communication with the architect.

A new building may be the best option if:

- The fabric of the existing building is in bad shape.

- The existing building is shabby, outdated, inflexible, inefficient and badly overcrowded.

- The site of the existing building offers no space for adequate parking or expansion.

- The existing building is in a location that makes it difficult for the community to use.

- The chosen site is not only a good location for a public library but has space for adequate parking and future expansion.

- The preliminary site analysis indicates no potentially expensive problems.


Determining the Library's Current Service Needs

If you are not using a professional building consultant, and most Kansas projects don't, it is essential that the project team work with an architect for the preliminary planning. This is frequently the same architect who works with the building project but it does not have to be. The preliminary architect will:

- prepare preliminary designs
- prepare visual presentations to help market the project to the community
- do the site analysis, if a site has been selected

If the preliminary architect has a talent for public speaking, he or she may help the board market the project to the community.

When the project's funding is in place, it is necessary to hire a project architect. The selection of the architect is critically important to the success of the project. The project architect is responsible for:

- design development
- construction documents
- bid forms and the bidding process
- construction administration
- closing procedures

When a small library is selecting an architect, there are several considerations to keep in mind:

- A local or regional firm will usually be able to give more consistent communication with the project team and better monitoring to the project.

- An architect that has experience in building libraries is often easier to work with, although a responsive architect who listens well and incorporates the client's ideas can build a fine first library. If the architect does not have experience with libraries, the project team and the system consultants must be able to provide clear information on the library's needs, including preliminary space projections for collections, technology, staff and meeting rooms.

- The project team must be able to interview the architect that they will actually be working with during
the project.

- The architect must be willing to provide references, especially if they have worked with library projects.

- During an interview, the architect is usually allowed to prepare a presentation of agreed-upon length. But the architect's response to questions is even more important. The architect should be willing to listen carefully and respond to the project team's concerns.

- The architect must provide clear information on the services that he or she will provide and the fees for these services.

- The architect must give clear evidence that he or she understands that a small library's needs include:

- good visual control by the small staff
- adequate storage
- attractive, durable furnishings
- ability to move furnishings in the coming years
- complete compliance with the Americans With Disabilities Act
- energy efficiency
- adequate lighting
- a welcoming atmosphere appropriate to the community
- maximum flexibility in the wiring and outlets to meet the needs of changing library technology
- a durable roof
- a dependable heating and cooling system that can be maintained and repaired by businesses in the local area
- dependable assistance with all stages of the building project

Back to top


MARKETING THE BUILDING PROJECT



A small library is fortunate, in a way, if the present facility is so decrepit and overcrowded that the need for a new facility is very obvious. But in a library that has been loved and cared for and had its collection carefully weeded, the need for a new or expanded library is not always evident to a layman.

The need for a new building cannot be marketed to the community until the staff, the board and the local government officials can all speak with one voice on what is needed and why. The first marketing must be done by the director with the staff, by the staff with the trustees and by the director and board to community leadership. Winning the support of effective community leaders is often the turning point in a successful building program.

The following points can be used to market the need for a new library facility:

- An older building triggers ever-increasing maintenance costs as it ages and it is usually neither cost-effective nor energy-effective.

- A public library needs the space to house a collection that meets the needs of the community. The Standards for Kansas Public Libraries are often a good starting point for assessing the size of the library collections.

Technology can marvelously supplement print information and recreational materials. It cannot replace them. Videos, audiotapes and CD materials have been growing in popularity in small communities. They have to have space for effective display.

- A modern facility must support up-to-date library technology or it simply isn't a viable library. A small public library that doesn't have effective access to electronic information is cut off from the vast resources that would enable staff to offer excellent library service. Such a library is very likely to find itself increasingly irrelevant to community information needs.

The library must serve as an information utility that offers access to information in the community, the state, the nation and the world.

This presents requirements for adequate space for staff and public computer stations, telefax, public copiers, telephone connections, flexible wiring, adequate outlets.

- Yet a library in a small community cannot afford to be simply a gateway for technology and a circulation service for library materials. It must be a community center as well. This means that it needs study tables, warm, friendly reading areas and a meeting room for library and community events.

- A library in a small community cannot afford more than a few paid staff members. A small town needs a library than can be safe and useful when only a few staff members and volunteers are on duty. This means paying attention to good working conditions, storage, safety, visual control, excellent signage, reliable equipment and easy maintenance.

- A modern library must be completely barrier free to be in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. This is not simply a matter of law. In a small town, it can be critical because of the large number of citizens who have health conditions covered by the law. Many small town libraries are difficult or impossible for those with impairments or fragile health.

- A public library in a small community must have an active, well-planned program for children of all ages. This is not possible without adequate space for the children's department. Fortunately, it is true that many citizens will support services for children before many other library programs.

- A public library cannot expect to be heavily used unless it is in a good location, with good exterior signage and adequate parking. A good location can often be one reason to expand an existing facility. A bad one can be a good reason to build a new library.

- Laymen don't always realize how little an excellent public library actually costs the individual citizen. The board needs to find descriptive and creative ways to tell them what their contribution actually is. It may be no more than the cost of one paperback book.

Once the best arguments are mustered, they have to be presented. This can be done in a variety of ways. But the staff and board need to keep in mind that it is rarely possible to have a successful marketing campaign that doesn't have an adequate budget of its own. Ways to market the new project include:

- having good coverage of the library's needs in the local and regional media
- including good information on the library's needs on the library's website
- distributing a glossy, full color information brochure throughout the community
- leaving the information brochures with any persons or organizations who are considering a financial contribution
- inviting key leaders to tour the old facility and view its deficiencies
- having the most articulate members of the building team make presentations, including visuals or slides, to community groups, organizations and potential donors
- involving the Friends of the Library in such marketing efforts as public speaking and personalized direct mail campaigns

Back to top


FINANCING THE BUILDING PROJECT



All building, remodeling of or additions to public libraries must be approved by the governing body of the municipality. The library board can ask that this action be taken, but it is the responsibility of the governing board to initiate such action. The library board does not have the authority to create a special building fund on its own. However, the library can use the library's capital improvement fund for building purposes.


The Capital Improvement Fund


Beginning in 1986, K.S.A. 12-1258 gave city, county and township libraries the authority to create a capital improvement fund and place in this fund up to 10 percent of the library's certified operating tax budget. Prior to the passing of this statute, tax monies could not be used for capital improvements, nor could they be placed in accruing accounts. Now these funds may be accumulated and do not have to be expended by the end of the budget year. Other funds that are not tax funds may also be placed in the capital improvement fund. Money from this fund may be used for improving, furnishing, equipping, remodeling or making additions to the library. A capital improvement is a major, one-time expenditure, which is not a regular or common expenditure.


Municipal Options for Financing


Most Kansas libraries use a combination of several methods to finance a new or expanded library facility.

The governing body of any city has the authority to use several different methods to finance the construction of a new library building. The governing body may:

- receive and expend gifts
- receive and expend state and federal funds

- issue bonds
- levy an annual tax on all tangible property in the city of not more than one mill for any first class city and not more than two mills for any second or third class city, for a period, not to exceed 10 years
- issue no-fund warrants
- use monies from the general operating fund or other appropriate budgeted funds
- use money from the sale of public buildings or sites
- combine any two or more of these methods for financing construction

The local taxing authority (city, county or township) may choose to assign local funds to aid a library building program. This is why members of local government must have a clear understanding of the library's needs.

If an annual tax is to be levied under the authority of K.S.A. 12-1737, the governing body must adopt a resolution authorizing the making of such a levy. This resolution must state the exact purpose for the levy, the total amount proposed and the number of years for which the tax levy will be made. This resolution must be published once each week for two consecutive weeks in the official newspaper.

After proper publication, the levy can be made unless a petition requesting an election is signed by 10% of the voters who voted in the last city election and submitted to the city clerk within 60 days. If a valid petition is filed, the governing body will submit the question to the voters at the next regular city election.

The governing body also has the authority to submit the issue of a building levy to the voters in any general or special election. If the voters approve the issue, the governing body can levy the tax and create a special fund that will be used for the library building. After half the tax has been collected, the municipality can begin making expenditures from the special fund. If this money is not sufficient for the project, the governing body may also issue and sell bonds to supplement the special fund but these may not exceed 25% of the total amount authorized.

A bond issue is often needed to meet a substantial share of the costs. By passing a bond issue, the electorate agrees to pay for bonds which are sold to pay for capital improvements. The city and the library board will need professional advice to consider the length of the term of the bond issue in relation to the actual yearly cost of the bond.

In order to issue bonds, an election is required. A majority of the votes must be in favor of the bond issue. The notice of the election and the ballot must contain the entire cost of the project and the different sources of funding.


The Library's Board Authority


The library board has legal authority to build for the library if they have the approval of the governing body of the city. The governing body has the right to veto the decision to acquire property or erect a building but it does not have the right to take general supervision and administrative control of the building project.

The board may choose to implement a fund drive to obtain enough funds to begin a building project. This requires time and planning and genuine dedication on the part of the trustees, staff, Friends and community leaders but it can often raise enough money to help fund the project.

Fundraising often turns out to be the most effective form of marketing and raising support since the need for the new building must be made very clear to financial contributors.

Library consultants are often asked about grant monies for building programs. This option is not very promising, especially since federal library funds are no longer assigned to construction. But grants from local foundations or corporations are sometimes part of the fundraising for a library building program.

Financial planning for the new building must include:

- costs of marketing the project and achieving the financing
- site selection, acquisition and preparation
- design costs
- construction costs
- cost of furnishings and equipment
- moving costs
- cost of operating a larger facility
- cost of staffing a larger facility

More detailed information on the financing of public library building projects is available in The Kansas Public Library Handbook, published by the Kansas State Library, 1998.

NOTES:



















Back to top


SITE SELECTION




Selecting a site for a new library involves many of the same considerations that would be involved in selecting a site for a business. It should be located where people go to conduct business, not where they live. It should be located on a major street with easy accessibility and high visibility.

Site selection criteria includes:

- area size
- configuration (square or rectangular parcels are most desirable)
- suitable soils and drainage
- location
- accessibility
- neighborhood compatibility
- visibility
- compliance with local regulations
- assessed value

A qualified land surveyor should prepare a survey that includes:

- property lines
- adjacent property owners
- zoning or land use classification
- topography
- infrastructure for utilities
- water service
- sewer service
- use restrictions
- existing landscape
- total space available

An analysis of the site, which is based on the survey, will include consideration of the following elements:

Access:

Where will people come from?
Will pedestrians be safe?
How will people enter the site?
Where will they park?
How will service and delivery vehicles access the site?

Setbacks and Zoning Criteria:

Site features to be preserved might include:

- trees
- existing structures
- stone walls
- good views

Site features to be screened or de-emphasized might include:

- bad views
- noise

Orientation:

The best use of sunlight and prevailing winds will depend on latitude and climate.

Site limitations might include:

- Steep slopes are difficult to develop.
- Rock areas are expensive to excavate.
- Low areas can be subject to flooding.
- Limited space can prevent future expansion.

[The material in this section was prepared by Hans Fischer, architectural consultant for the Northeast Kansas Library System.]

Back to top


DEVELOPING THE PLANS



By the time the funding is arranged, the library should already have preliminary plans and visual presentations.

As the project progresses, the architect will share more detailed designs with the project team. The project team should work patiently with the architect until they understand the drawings and can be sure the building will meet their needs.

There are various types of drawings, including floor plans, elevations, sections and detail drawings.

The architect is the best person to design construction materials, use of space and operating systems. But the architect should be aware of the library's needs for every area of the library.

Exterior - The exterior of the building should be attractive and durable, appropriate to the climate and the community. There should be enough parking (There is information on parking in the Standards for Kansas Public Libraries.). There should be large, clear exterior signs so that the library can be easily identified from the street.

Adult Services - Adult services should be large enough to house the collection without overcrowding and allow for years of growth. The physical relationship between the reference collection and access to electronic information should be carefully considered.

There should be space for the attractive display of new books, periodicals, newspapers, videotapes, audiotapes and music collections. Adult services should include study tables, a comfortable reading area and public access computer terminal[s]. All adult areas should have large signs with excellent contrast.

Children's Services - The children's department should be large enough to house the collection and attractively display storybooks, videos, magazines and toys. Children's public access to the Internet should be planned for in all but the smallest facilities. The children's department should be designed to offer good visual control by staff.

It is ideal to have some area with fun furnishings for the children to play and read in. Some provision should be made for children's story hour and other programs.

Lighting - Libraries should be well lighted with both natural light and well designed lighting. Restrooms must have strong light to be considered barrier free.

There are guidelines for lighting in the Standards for Kansas Public Libraries.

Furnishings - Library furnishings receive extremely heavy use and should be purchased from library supply vendors, not office supply houses.

Preparation of furniture and equipment specifications should take place concurrently with the design of the building. There should be good communication between the architect and the project team so the furnishings are not only comfortable and of good quality but beautifully coordinated with the rest of the building design.

The design development phase is the most critical phase of the design process because it is still possible to make changes without slowing down the process and adding cost.


BIDDING AND CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS



For most public building projects there are some basic steps to the bidding process:

- assembling the bid documents
- making the invitation to bid
- opening the bids at a specified time and place
- assessing the bids and evaluating the bidders
- awarding the contract

The accuracy of previously completed cost estimates is finally determined during the bidding process. The architect should review the bids and make recommendations as to which contractor[s] should be awarded the construction.

The building project team has an obligation to understand the contract and be apprised of their obligations under the contract. Legal counsel should review the contract.

NOTES:



















Back to top


CONSTRUCTION



Groundbreaking


The groundbreaking is probably the most symbolic event connected with the building program. It means "We're on our way, Hurray!" It can be simple or elaborate but it should be a genuinely joyous occasion and it should garner as much effective publicity as possible for the library.

If the groundbreaking takes place on a cold day (and it often seems to), it is a pleasant courtesy to invite the participants into the existing library for a small party. If it takes place on a pleasant day, a small lawn party might be appropriate.


Pre-construction


The project may have a pre-construction meeting where the building team meets with the contractor and subcontractor. The architect reviews any outstanding paperwork and makes sure that all contractors and subcontractors have copies of the blueprints and specifications.

The architect should give the building team a schedule of what will happen during the construction process but he or she should also emphasize that it is rarely possible for a building project to stay on a rigid timeline. The weather can be a major factor. A variety of circumstances may require modifications to the original plans. These change orders will be reviewed by the architect and approved by designated members of the building project team.


Construction Monitoring


It is part of the architect's responsibilities to monitor the progress of the construction and make sure that all is proceeding correctly. In a larger firm, this may be the responsibility of a project manager rather than the designer.

However, it is wise for at least one member of the project team to also visit the construction regularly.
The member of the project team should respect all safety regulations and be unfailingly courteous to the workmen. But if the project team has any questions about the process of the construction, they should relay these to the architect or project manager.

Regular construction meetings between the building team and the architect or the project manager are essential. The architect may charge extra for this service but it is well worth the expense since it eliminates many misunderstandings and problems.

The building team should give regular updates on the progress of the building to local media. The public will be interested and concerned. Giving them accurate, up-to-date information will prevent damaging rumors and build affectionate support for the new library.


Closeout Procedures


When the building is sufficiently complete for the owner to take possession, the architect and at least one member of the building team, often the library director, do a walk-through and prepare what is called a punch-list of items that have not been completed or are deemed unacceptable.

Before this walk-through takes place, library staff members should review the building and turn their observations and suggestions over to the library director or the building team representative.

The items on the punch-list should not be major ones but a carefully prepared punch-list is important clarification for the contractor and important protection for the building project team.

When this review is complete, the architect will issue a certificate of substantial completion. This is when the clock starts running on guarantees and warranties and when the owner of the building assumes responsibility for it. The board may not take possession of the building until substantial completion is received.

Final completion will probably not be declared until the move is finished and the building is open to the public. But at some point, the architect will confirm that all the items on the punch-list have been completed and he or she will issue a certificate of final completion. Final payments will be made and the period of contract will end.

The building will probably need a certain amount of "debugging" during its first year. But good planning, meticulous monitoring and careful closing procedures can help keep this to a minimum.

NOTES:



















Back to top


MOVING



Planning the Move


The process of moving into a new facility is an area where the building team can benefit greatly from advice from other library staff and trustees who have been through a move. Planning for the move takes time and the planning should be done concurrently with the design and construction of the building.

Some of the procedures for the move include:

- developing a complete list of items to be moved
- determining the disposal of items that will not be moved
- deciding whether the move should be done by library staff, volunteers, commercial movers or a combination of these options
- carefully orienting and training the volunteers
- making sure that all boxed materials are carefully labeled and organized for the move to the new facility
- scheduling the move
- deciding if the library should be closed, and if so, for how long
- developing a written set of instructions for staff and volunteers


Staff Orientation


Throughout the moving process, the library staff should meet briefly every day to iron out problems and plan the next day's work.

During the entire building program, the library director should have been careful to make sure that staff understood what was happening, was apprised of problems, shared in good news. All of this pays off, not only in staff goodwill, but in staff that can plan and implement the move effectively.

Once the building is substantially complete and the board or the city takes possession, the staff should be encouraged to explore the new facility very thoroughly, both alone and in partnership with the
director. The director and staff should try to anticipate as many queries as possible from the public.

The director should also meet with the custodial staff to make sure they are familiar with the building and have everything they need to maintain it.

NOTES:



















Back to top


THE CELEBRATION



The Grand Opening should be a gala occasion, a genuinely happy and lighthearted celebration of a great accomplishment. For that reason, it is usually best if the dedication does not take place until the building is complete and the move is finished. It is perfectly acceptable for the building to be in use for some time before its completion is celebrated.

The committee working on the celebration need not necessarily be the same as the one working on the building project itself. Some quite different skills and interests are called for when planning a party. But it is essential that every member of the building project team be recognized during the opening ceremonies, as well as the architect and the contractor.

The following decisions need to be made for the Grand Opening:

- When will the ceremony be held?
- Where will the ceremony be held?
- Who will preside?
- Who will be introduced and how much time, if any, will be allotted for speeches?
- Should a local dignitary or someone from outside the community be invited to make a brief address?
- Will there be a formal ribbon cutting ceremony?
- How many can be expected to attend?
- How will the open house and library tour be handled?
- Who will arrange for refreshments and who will serve them?
- Who will handle publicity, including the design of the dedication program?
- Should the architect or someone else be asked to prepare a fact sheet covering the building's most notable features?
- How will invitations be handled and by whom?

Wisconsin Library Building Project Handbook, 1990, Raymond Holt and Anders C. Dahlgren, pp. 173-174.

Back to top


EVALUATION



After a building program is completed, the building project team usually wants to rest for awhile. It is hard to blame them, since the experience is usually intense and fairly lengthy.

But the staff and the board have an obligation to continuously assess the effectiveness of the new building. The director needs to incorporate into reports to the board:

- if the new library needs more effective marketing to the public
- how the circulation is changing
- how the use of library services is changing
- what the library users particularly like and what they don't like
- what the library staff particularly like and what they don't like
- how easily the staff is able to monitor the building and offer assistance to library users
- how effectively the library is able to use technology
- whether there are any special problems with the building's operating systems
- what minor changes are needed to make the building more effective
- what problems need to be solved

There are no libraries that are perfectly designed from everyone's point of view. The staff and the board have the right to say what they would do differently if they could do it over again. The library users have the right to comment on what they don't like. But everyone should keep in mind that even positive change can be hard for people to accept at first. An absence of total rave review does not mean that the building is a failure.

Working with a new library is usually a delightful experience for both staff and trustees. The library users may not see all the features that make it possible to offer more effective service. But they do appreciate beauty, comfort, space, peace, welcome, convenience and good service. And they will express their appreciation.

With good marketing and excellent service, the new library will become an information center, a recreation center, a community center and a source of civic pride.

NOTES:





















Back to top



PART TWO



INTRODUCTION



The material in the second section of this publication is from the 2000 revision of the Kansas Standards for Public Libraries 2006. The Kansas library standards are revised every few years by a KLA committee and by the consultants at the systems and the State Library. With each revision, the standards for physical facilities are reviewed and updated.

If there are questions about this material, it is wise to call the regional library system or the local library development staff at the State Library.

Back to top



STANDARDS FOR KANSAS PUBLIC LIBRARIES - PHYSICAL FACILITIES 2006

VII. PHYSICAL FACILITIES

TABLE OF CONTENTS


- Introduction
- Space Analysis
- Collections and Reading Areas
- Recommendations Drawn from Library Building Manuals
- Public Service Areas
- Staff Areas
- Special Use Areas
- Nonassignable Areas
- Interior Environment
- Lighting and Acoustics
- Signage
- Exterior Environment
- Library Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response Plan
- Checklist





INTRODUCTION

7.1 The library building should be efficient in organization for use by users and library staff, flexible in design to allow for changing needs, and expandable. The most important consideration in facility design would be to plan for the future, keeping in mind your specific community. A long-range plan with a clearly articulated mission statement, goals, objectives, and an action plan provides a basis for evaluating whether a library has a facility that adequately meets community needs. No single, standard library building could be duplicated for every situation. Local service needs differ and the nature of the library service required in each community will determine the type of physical facility required. For this reason, an analysis of the library's functional needs is as important as the identification of quantitative standards. Plans for the future should begin with a careful evaluation of the particular community, its environment, its current and future needs and its current and future services. System and State Library consultants should be involved early in the process. Their input on effective facilities can be valuable.

7.2 The library must ensure accessibility for all persons according to requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act (See Appendix A). All public libraries should comply with safety, fire, sanitary, and other local building codes. Libraries in cities without local building code jurisdiction should strive to meet a national building code such as the Uniform Building Code (UBC) or the Building Officials and Code Administrators, International (BOCA) code.

7.3 An attractive facility is an important way to bring the benefits of library service to the community's attention. To provide modern, comprehensive library service there must be a welcoming atmosphere of freedom and openness that will encourage a wide segment of the population to use the library and regard it as an essential component of community life. A regular maintenance plan plays an important part in keeping the facility attractive and useful.

7.4 Regular maintenance, and prompt repair as needed, will extend the usable life of the library building and its components. Thus, the development and implementation of a building maintenance plan is recommended. A building maintenance plan will identify a schedule for maintenance of components of the structure, the exterior building envelope (roof, etc.), mechanical equipment, etc. The building maintenance plan will also serve as a budgetary planning tool so that major replacement expenses can be better predicted, and funding secured. (See the Maintenance Checklist in the appendices).

7.5 When it is determined that an existing facility restricts the delivery of needed services, improvement of the physical facility must be considered. The improvement and maintenance of the physical facilities should be planned as a part of a long-range library development program, anticipating needs for a twenty year period, with minimum five-year updates. A planning and needs evaluation process should be conducted for a totally new facility or for any significant renovation project.

7.6 Planning a new library building, renovating or expanding an existing structure, or considering the adaptation of a building in another location as a library facility all start with a methodology of informed and thoughtful programming which should result in a carefully written building program statement. This should be developed by the librarian, the library staff and the Board of Trustees, with the assistance of a qualified architect and/or building consultant. A new or expanded building should result in a completely barrier-free building. A library plan for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act should be included in the planning process. Further information about developing a building program statement is contained in Appendix B. (See also the publication Designing a Fine Library: Tools from the KLA Standards Committee, the Regional Systems and the Kansas State Library)


SPACE ANALYSIS

7.7 The space analysis refers to the study of those things directly related to fulfilling the library's role in the community. The analysis is not limited to the interior of the facility, and includes consideration of site activities such as parking, service, and vehicular and pedestrian access.

Library Type   Total Space (sq. ft.)
     
Gateway   2,000 - 2,800
Linking   2,800 - 4,450
Service Center   4,450 - 6,600
Major Service Center I   6,600 - 12,600
Major Service Center II   12,600 - 21,200
Major Resource Center I   21,200 - 58,300
Major Resource Center II   58,300 or more

7.8 To analyze the space requirements for the library, the library building committee, working closely with staff, should employ the following three-step procedure:

  • Identify each activity function and list the occupant and/or fixture requirements. For example, if the activity is checking out books, the committee should work with the staff to determine the number of work spaces necessary to do the task, and also any special needs such as computer terminals or file drawers.

  • Identify the relative location of activity areas to each other so that different activities that can give mutual support are together and activities that are less compatible are separated. For example, should the young adult reading area be near the juvenile materials or the adult materials? How close should the workroom be to the circulation desk? Should staff parking be separated from public parking?

  • Identify any special requirements for each activity such as lighting, acoustics, security, supervision, equipment, electrical circuits and outlets, etc. Make the lighting appropriate to the use in each area, i.e., avoid glare near computer terminals, softer lighting for reading areas. Special emphasis should be placed on including a generous number of data ports and electrical outlets.

7.9 At least the following should be considered when analyzing the activities of the library:

  • collections and reading areas
  • staff areas
  • public service areas
  • special use areas
  • storage areas
  • nonassignable areas
  • interior environment
  • exterior environment
  • public and staff security and
  • general requirements.

COLLECTIONS AND READING AREAS

7.10 Materials and reading areas should be easily accessible to users upon entering the building. It should be possible to move shelving, and stacks should not be so high that library users can’t reach them.

Library Type   User Seating (chairs)
     
Gateway   10 - 20
Linking   15 - 18
Service Center   18 - 30
Major Service Center I   30 - 60
Major Service Center II   60 - 100
Major Resource Center I   100 - 200
Major Resource Center II   200 or more

7.11 Includes seats for both children and adults in reading areas, but does not include chairs necessary for group activities.

Library Type   User Seating Space (sq. ft.)
     
Gateway   300 - 450
Linking   450 - 550
Service Center   550 - 900
Major Service Center I   900 - 1,800
Major Service Center II   1,800 - 3,000
Major Resource Center I   3,000 - 6,000
Major Resource Center II   6,000 or more

7.12 Based on 30 square feet per seat.

Library Type   Collection Space (sq. ft.)
     
Gateway   600 - 700
Linking   700 - 1,000
Service Center   1,300 - 2,000
Major Service Center I   2,000 - 6,000
Major Service Center II   6,000 - 10,000
Major Resource Center I   10,000 - 30,000
Major Resource Center II   30,000 or more


THESE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE DRAWN FROM LIBRARY BUILDING MANUALS. Please see Bibliography in the Appendices for additional resources for building projects.

7.13 Space should be allocated for materials and services to adults and children with areas for non-fiction, fiction, videos, periodicals, audio collections, reference and other collections. Shelving and furniture intended for use by children should be sized appropriately, and additional room for age-appropriate display should be allowed for in areas for children and young adults. Future growth of these collections must be accommodated. Expansion room should also be provided for future collections that may be developed.

7.14 Accommodations for materials in non-book formats must be considered. Plans should be flexible to allow for changes as dictated by technology and changing community needs.

7.15 The catalog should be in electronic format and located in an area easily accessible to the user, the staff, and to the materials with at least one access point that can be used in the seated position that complies with ADA.

7.16 Appropriate seating and accommodations for older adults and those with mobility impairments should be considered when making furniture selections. Comfortable and ergonomically correct library seating is considered part of ADA compliance.


PUBLIC SERVICE AREAS

7.17 Circulation desk, entrance area, drinking fountain and public phone, room for patrons to greet each other without blocking service areas are considerations when analyzing these areas. Room for public access catalogs, public use typewriter and computer areas are based on the assessed community needs and the library's roles and function.


STAFF AREAS

7.18 Circulation, reference and technical service areas should accommodate supporting technologies.

7.19 The staff area should be sufficient to ensure that staff members can perform their daily tasks effectively. This includes separate or shared work areas, equipment needs, numbers of stations in each work area, immediate access to sinks, etc. Make sure that adequate storage and adequate outlets are included in the plans.

7.20 Facilities should be provided for the personal needs of the library staff, such as a lounge, kitchen, lockers, and restrooms. A space should be provided to secure personal belongings of staff and volunteers.

Library Type   Staff Work Space (sq. ft.)
     
Gateway   300 - 450
Linking   450 - 600
Service Center   600 - 900
Major Service Center I   900 - 1,200
Major Service Center II   1,200 - 1,500
Major Resource Center I   1,500 - 3,000
Major Resource Center II   3,000 or more

7.21 Based on 150 square feet per workspace.


SPECIAL USE AREAS

7.22 Space designed for group activities is an asset to the library, especially if the space can accommodate children's or adult programming. Access to a multi-purpose room should be considered one of the library’s services. A multi-purpose room should include a separate entrance to the room so that it may be used after library hours while ensuring the security of the rest of the library. Auxiliary space for chairs, folding tables, coats, audio and exhibit equipment, restrooms and a kitchenette should also be provided. Exhibit space and a bulletin board should be provided for use by the library and the community.

7.23 Programming space for children may be separate or may be merged with multi-purpose meeting rooms. These areas should be visible from adjacent public areas. Acoustical treatment of the children's area and/or a separate children's room is important.

7.24 Accommodations for a Kansas room and a local history area or special collection of local materials should be considered. The area should have adequate electrical and data outlets to support computer technology.

7.25 The number and size of meeting rooms should be determined by the library's anticipated programming activities and by the availability of similar rooms elsewhere in the community for use by local groups.

Library Type   Meeting room space (sq. ft.)
     
Gateway   200 - 300
Linking   300 - 500
Service Center   500 - 700
Major Service Center I   700 - 900
Major Service Center II   900 - 1,200
Major Resource Center I   1,500 - 3,000
Major Resource Center II   2,400 or more

7.26 Special use space includes terminals to access an automated catalog, index tables, newspaper racks, AV shelving, photocopiers, etc. Special use space typically constitutes approximately 10 percent of the overall total area in the building. This percentage declines in larger buildings.

Library Type   Special Use Space (sq. ft.)
     
Gateway   200 - 300 (10% of Total Space)
Linking   300 - 500 (10% of Total Space)
Service Center   500 - 700 (10% of Total Space)
Major Service Center I   700 - 900 (10% of Total Space)
Major Service Center II   900 - 1,200 (7% of Total Space)
Major Resource Center I   1,200 - 2,400 (6% of Total Space)
Major Resource Center II   2,400 or more (5% of Total Space)


NONASSIGNABLE AREAS

7.27 Nonassignable areas include stairways, corridors, restrooms, elevators, book lifts, and spaces for mechanical, electrical and communications equipment. When possible, these areas should be located so as not to interfere with flexibility in arrangement of future alterations. If the building occupies more than one level, an elevator or ramp must be included.

7.28 Restroom(s) for staff and the public should be provided. They should be located to permit adequate supervision. Restrooms must meet the specifications required by the Americans with Disabilities Act.

7.29 Space should be available to permit adequate storage of maintenance and cleaning supplies, decorations and craft materials, and building and lawn maintenance equipment. Include adequate, conveniently located janitor closets. Clutter is considered a legal hazard under ADA and should be avoided.

Library Type   Nonassignable Space (sq. ft.)
     
Gateway   400 - 600 (20% of Total Space)
Linking   600 - 1,000 (20% of Total Space)
Service Center   1,000 - 1,400 (20% of Total Space)
Major Service Center I   1,400 - 1,800 (20% of Total Space)
Major Service Center II   1,800 - 4,300 (20% of Total Space)
Major Resource Center I   4,300 - 14,500 (25% of Total Space)
Major Resource Center II   14,500 plus (25% of Total Space)


INTERIOR ENVIRONMENT

7.30 Building layout should be arranged to maintain ease of traffic flow. Future growth, flexibility, and the need for adequate visual supervision must be considered when placing interior walls. The needs of the disabled and people of all ages must be considered when planning aisles, shelving, stairs, elevators, restrooms, telephones, cabinets, furniture, computers, etc.

7.31 Proper climate control must be provided for the comfort of the public and the staff, as well as the preservation of library materials. Special collections may require separate climate control.

7.32 Special attention must be paid to the energy efficiency of the entire facility. Adequate building insulation and insulated window glazing should be included in all new or renovated buildings.

7.33 Construction materials, equipment and furnishings should be selected considering aesthetics, commercial-grade durability, comfort, ease of maintenance, and applicable local and state building and fire codes.


LIGHTING AND ACOUSTICS

7.34 Lighting should be maintained at adequate levels to achieve visual comfort and effectiveness, in accordance with current Illuminating Engineering Society (IES) standards.

7.35 Lighting should be glare-free and uniform. Consideration of use, cost, location and ease of replacement should guide the choice of lighting fixtures. Special care should be taken to position lighting and book stacks relative to each other so that all shelving is evenly illuminated. Accommodation for future book stack arrangements should be made.

7.36 Consideration for the special needs of older adults, and those who are visually impaired, should be included when choosing lighting. Particularly strong light is needed at right angles to the stacks, in the leisure reading area and in the library’s restrooms. White, cream or yellow paint will aid the lighting. Paneling or blue paint will weaken the lighting and may make it necessary to install supplementary lighting.

7.37 Acoustical treatment should be used to control sound as needed in each of the spaces in the building. Also consider noise from external sources.


SIGNAGE

7.38 Signs locate public services and are part of the interior design. They should be attractive, concise and use terminology that is meaningful to the public. When possible, a consistent design quality adds to the aesthetic of the space.

7.39 Collection and department signs are critical even in small libraries. They should be at least 5 inches high, with excellent contrast. Stack signs should offer an accurate mix of verbal and Dewey information. They should be at least three inches high, with excellent contrast.

7.40 Adequate and appropriate signs should identify the library's service areas as well as the library collection; i.e., Adult Service, Reference, Children's Room, as well as computer workstations, elevators, exits, and restrooms.


EXTERIOR ENVIRONMENT

7.41 The exterior of the library should be aesthetically pleasing and functional. The architecture should meet the requirements of the library's program needs. Landscaping should enhance the architectural design of the building and building security, to require minimal maintenance and to allow for possible exterior programming uses.

7.42 The library’s public parking should include one van-accessible parking space for every 25 public parking spaces. A van-accessible space is 8 feet wide with an 8 feet aisle. Two handicapped parking spaces may share a common aisle. Off street parking is desirable if possible. Potential building sites that do not meet the parking standards below should not be selected.

Library Type   User parking (spaces)
     
Gateway   7-9
Linking   9-15
Service Center   15 - 22
Major Service Center I   22 - 42
Major Service Center II   45 - 71
Major Resource Center I   75 - 190
Major Resource Center II   190 or more

7.43 Based on 1 space per 300 square feet of Total Space. Local codes may vary from this formula.

Library Type   Staff parking (spaces)
     
Gateway   1 - 2
Linking   2
Service Center   2
Major Service Center I   2 - 5
Major Service Center II   5 - 12
Major Resource Center I   12 - 45
Major Resource Center II   45 or more

7.44 Based on 1 space per .75 FTE staff.

7.45 A conveniently located exterior book return should provide for after-hours access. The book return should be designed for ease of maintenance by the library staff and should fireproof and protected from vandalism. It should also be in a barrier-free location that does not involve any steps.

7.46 Exterior lighting should be sufficient to provide ease of access, security, and personal safety to and from parking areas and along all walkways around the exterior of the building. Sufficient exterior lighting provides an additional measure of security for the building.

7.47 A highly visible exterior sign placed at eye level should identify the library from adjacent public roadways. The municipality should provide directional signs to the library from major thoroughfares. A flagpole with lighting should be considered.


LIBRARY EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND DISASTER RESPONSE PLAN

7.48 Every library must have a written Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Response Plan. This plan should be compiled by a committee consisting of staff members, a member of maintenance, a board member, and a representative from the fire and police departments. Planning should include the areas of prevention and preparedness, response, and recovery and the final plan should be approved by the Library Board of Trustees.

7.49 The Director and other members of the Emergency Response Team should have access to a copy of the plan at the library as well as a copy at home. A copy of the plan should be located off-site where it is accessible to the Emergency Response Team if the emergency prevents the team from accessing the library building. This may include copies at residences, or it may be another copy at a secure location. There are many Emergency and Disaster plans available online or in printed materials to use as templates. Assistance and advice in preparing this document may be requested from system and State Library personnel.

7.50 The Emergency and Disaster Plan should be reviewed annually for any corrections or updates necessary. All copies of the plan should be updated, including those located off-site.

7.51 The Emergency and Disaster Plan may include, but should not be limited to, the following list of emergencies:

  • bomb threat
  • bombs
  • explosions
  • earthquakes
  • fire
  • flood or severe water leak
  • gas, steam or hazardous materials
  • hostage
  • heating/air conditioning/ventilation malfunction
  • medical emergency
  • mold/mildew/pests
  • power failure
  • terrorism
  • tornadoes or severe weather
  • vehicle accidents
  • work place violence

7.52 Sections on each emergency/disaster may include, but should not be limited to, items from the following list (excerpted from http://www.solinet.net/):

  • emergency information sheet: one-page summary of immediate steps to be taken and individuals to be contacted
  • introduction to the plan
  • communication plan (telephone tree)
  • institution-wide collection priorities
  • prevention/protection strategy
  • checklist of pre-disaster actions
  • instructions for response and recovery
  • recovery/response team members
  • record-keeping forms
  • detailed building plans
  • resource lists
  • vendors
  • accounting information
  • insurance information
  • location of keys or other security devices

CHECKLIST FOR PHYSICAL FACILITIES

1. The library has a schedule for the on-going maintenance of all facilities.

____ Completed   ____ In progress   ____ Not planned

2. The library facility is attractive and welcoming.

____ Completed   ____ In progress   ____ Not planned

3. The library facility meets space and furnishing guidelines for its size, collection and programming needs.

____ Completed   ____ In progress   ____ Not planned

4. The library facility meets lighting guidelines for its size. Lighting is adequate to the tasks performed and strong enough to serve the visually impaired.

____ Completed   ____ In progress   ____ Not planned

5. The library has adequate signage.

____ Completed   ____ In progress   ____ Not planned

6. The library facility meets the parking guidelines for its size.

____ Completed   ____ In progress   ____ Not planned

7. The library has a written ADA compliance plan.

____ Completed   ____ In progress   ____ Not planned

8. If the library facility restricts the delivery of needed services, a building program is planned or in process.

____ Completed   ____ In progress   ____ Not planned

9. The present facility, or the facility being planned, meets the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

____ Completed   ____ In progress   ____ Not planned

10. The library has an emergency preparedness plan.

____ Completed   ____ In progress   ____ Not planned




Back to top



PART FOUR


APPENDICES

APPENDIX A


COMPLIANCE WITH THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT - INTRODUCTION

This document is intended to serve as an aid to the early stages of ADA compliance planning. It is not a substitute for legal advice or expert arbitration in dealing with complaints alleging non-compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.


OUTLINE OF ACTIVITIES FOR ADA COMPLIANCE

1. Make your Board members aware of the concerns connected with ADA compliance. Obtain a motion of approval for the staff to study the facility and prepare a plan documenting the steps the library can and cannot take to comply with the requirements.

2. Make sure your staff is aware of proper procedures for helping disabled patrons. Extra levels of courtesy are sometimes necessary for equal service. Make sure that all library staff members have the same information about the library's plans to study ADA compliance

3. Conduct a thorough review of your library facility, noting every condition that could prevent a disabled person or a person in fragile health from using the library services comfortably. Every barrier should be described, whether you have the ability to remove it or not. If you know citizens with covered disabilities ask them to come in and move through the building with you. The Kansas State Library has an ADA Compliance Coordinator who works with individual libraries on ADA Compliance Review.

4. Consider holding a well-publicized library forum for citizens dealing with or interested in disabilities covered by the ADA. Encourage open discussion on what the library can do to meet the needs of the disabled. But make it clear that the trustees and the director will make final decisions based on all available factors, including budget constraints.

5. Draft a plan that indicates what action you will be able to take for each barrier identified and when you will plan to take this action.

6. If a barrier cannot be removed, document the unreasonable expense or hardship that prevents the library from removing it. It is not sufficient to simply state that the library cannot afford to solve the problem. Actual costs and their relationship to the library budget should be part of the documentation.

7. If you have not already prepared one, draft a written plan for ADA compliance with a proposed timeline and with preliminary costs for implementation. The plan should be formally accepted by the Board and reviewed by the staff so they will be familiar with the library's plans. This plan should be kept on file and reviewed annually to see if additional barriers should be removed or additional services offered by the library.

8. If a person with a disability, or any other citizen, lodges a complaint about a barrier in the library, or about available library services, they should be referred to the director or to a specifically designated department head. The best weapons for defusing complaints are documented evidence of good faith effort or documented evidence of unreasonable expense; both delivered with impeccable courtesy. If a person making a complaint is not satisfied and threatens further action, the library should seek outside assistance as soon as possible. But keep in mind that most citizens with disabilities do not want to resort to legal action, they simply want their needs met.


ADA COMPLIANCE FOR LIBRARY FACILITIES

LIBRARY CHECKLIST

INTRODUCTION:

Kansas libraries need to have the Americans with Disabilities Act as a high priority. Kansas already has a high population of older residents and that number will be increasing rapidly. That means Kansas is bound to have a very high number of people with covered disabilities.

Covered disabilities include, but are not necessarily limited to: heart conditions, diabetes, cancer, AIDS, bad backs, impaired vision, impaired hearing, impaired mobility, impaired dexterity, impaired speech, impaired cognition. Temporarily disabled citizens are also covered by the ADA.

ADA compliance is an area of the law that is rarely in black and white but contains many shades of grey. Compliance reviews speak of fair compliance, good compliance, fullest compliance and other terms that are somewhat relative.

The disability community has usually been reasonable in understanding that neither libraries nor their parent governments have unlimited funds. Undue hardship can be documented in many cases as a reason for non-compliance. But a library that has no plan for developing their ADA compliance and shows no evidence of good faith effort is inviting criticism that might escalate into legal problems. A library building program that does not result in full barrier-free access makes the library very vulnerable to legal problems.

PARKING:

A library that has less than 25 parking spaces needs one handicapped parking space, but it must be van-accessible. That means a parking space 8 feet wide plus an aisle 8 feet wide. The parking space must be on a level, hard surface with a vertical sign and a curb cut. It must be as close to the library entrance as possible. If you have more than 25 parking spaces, but less than 50, you must have two handicapped parking spaces. However, two parking spaces may share a common access aisle.

EXTERIOR SIGNAGE:

The library should have clear, large, exterior signs that can be read from the street even by people with impaired eyesight. One of these signs should be a yard sign, since pediment signs are usually above eye level. Another common problem with exterior signs is lack of sufficient contrast.

The library hours should also be posted on an exterior sign with print as large and clear as possible.

MAIN ENTRANCE:

The path to the main entrance should be hard-surfaced, smooth surfaced, barrier-free and at least 36 inches wide, with no slope greater than a one inch rise in a 20 inch run.

The door should have a clear opening of 36 inches. Automatic doors are not required in small libraries but excessively heavy doors should be regarded as a barrier. The door should have some sort of push-type handle rather than a twist-type handle. Doorway thresholds should be no more than 1/4 inch high but these can usually be ramped.

A library that serves more than 5,000 people should have an automatic door opener.

Exterior steps are a serious problem that cause a library to be regarded as barrier-rich.

Book returns should always be placed in a barrier-free location.

RAMPS:

If a ramp is necessary to access the building, it should have a maximum rise of 1 in 12 (a one inch rise to a twelve inch run).

There can be no run greater than 30 feet without a level platform. A level platform at the doorway is required and it must be a minimum of five feet by five feet. Ramps should be equipped with railings and guard curbs.

MULTI-LEVELS:

A patron should be able to access all areas of the library. If necessary, non-public services can be transferred to non-accessible areas but this will not be considered full compliance.

Any new construction that involves multiple levels requires an elevator. A lift is acceptable only in a very small library. Chair lifts are not acceptable compliance.

Stairs should be 36 inches wide with risers no more than 11 inches high. There should be handrails on both sides. Stairs are a legal back-up to elevators and lifts in all public libraries.

FLOORS:

Ripples, edges or worn places in the carpet are a hazard to uncertain footing and should be repaired or eliminated.

A carpet for a library should not have a busy pattern that could cause dizziness or difficulty for those who have mobility impairments.

Open drains in restroom floors can be a hazard if they are deep or loosely covered.

Cords across the floor can pose an unintended hazard and should be eliminated as much as possible.

Too many toys on the floor in a children's department can pose an unintended hazard to those with impaired vision or impaired mobility. It is best if the children's play area is contained in some way, so clutter does not spread to path areas.

LIGHTING:

Library lighting should be as strong as possible in all areas. Lighting should be glare-free and uniform. Lighting should run across the stacks rather than parallel to them, although this cannot always be corrected.

A review of lighting for ADA compliance is NOT a review of lighting codes. Rather, it is an assessment of whether the lighting needs to be strengthened or supplemented before the collection can be easily used by someone with visual impairment. Dark shades in the paint, carpet or shelving can sometimes weaken the available lighting.

Paint shades in white, cream, ivory, yellow or pale peach can assist library lighting. Blue and green shades and dark paneling will steal the available lighting. Light colored carpet will also aid the library's lighting.

Lighting in library restrooms is frequently not strong enough to serve the visually impaired.

CIRCULATION DESK:

A new circulation desk must include a lower section for the use of children and disabled patrons. This section should be no more than 36 inches high. If a tall circulation desk cannot be restructured, a small table nearby should be used for supplementary service when needed.

PUBLIC ACCESS CATALOGS AND COMPUTER STATIONS:

An accessible catalog should be considered a top priority since it is essential to library service. The top of a card catalog should be no more than 48 inches off the floor and there should be a 36 inch clear space around it. Card catalog drawers should have the largest and clearest print possible.

Public catalog access stations and Internet access stations should be used in the seated position unless there are more than three of them. Larger libraries should have mix of higher and lower stations.

Public catalog and computer stations should offer the option of increasing the print size. Chairs for computer work stations should be comfortable and easy to use.

FURNITURE:

There should be a clear passage of at least 40 inches between sets of study tables and/or carrels. Tables should have a 27 inch high clearance, a 19 inch deep knee clearance and a surface height of 18-24 inches.

Many libraries have such a severe lack of space that the clear passage space cannot always be observed. But every library should make sure that at least one table could be reached and used by a wheelchair user.

READING AREA:

The library should have comfortable chairs, in addition to study tables. These should be armchairs to facilitate mobility. An end table should serve each armchair. The area should have good lighting for easy reading. Usually the reading areas are placed near magazines and newspapers or new books.

PERIODICALS:

The top row of periodicals should be no more than 50 inches above the floor. Most library periodical shelving is higher than this. It is strongly recommended that the top shelf not be used, if possible. If the periodical shelving must be high, there should be a sign advising library users to ask for any needed assistance.

Besides periodical shelving that is too high, many libraries have periodicals that are not well arranged or do not have large, clear signage. These are also barriers to effective use. Periodical names should be three inches high.

REFERENCE:

It is preferable, although not legally specified, that ready reference materials be in half height shelving. If the reference collection is in full height shelving, the reference staff needs to be fully aware of their responsibilities to disabled citizens.

STACKS:

Stack areas should have aisles of at least 36 inches. The perimeter aisle around the stacks should be 40 inches. If there is no stack perimeter and one cannot be created, the aisles should be 42 inches. There is no legal limit on stack height but if the library must use extra tall shelving, there should be plenty of stools and signs advising patrons to ask for any needed assistance.

A common problem with stacks in public libraries is that the legal clear space gets blocked with furniture or other intruding objects. A conscious effort should be made to leave the legal clear space unimpeded.

Stack signs should be at least three inches high and with excellent contrast. White on black, navy or chocolate is considered much more visible than black on white.

INTERIOR SIGNAGE:

The library should have clear, large signs with maximum contrast directing people to departments, restrooms, elevators, stairs, meeting rooms, public service desks, exits, emergency exits and specific collections. White on black, navy or chocolate is considered the best contrast. Department and Collection signs should be at least five inches high.

Stack signs should be large enough for people to read with impaired vision. Three inches is considered a reasonable compliance. Stack signs should contain an accurate and up-to-date combination of Dewey and print information that will pilot people easily through the stacks.

Inadequate signage is the most common citation in ADA compliance reviews. Good signage is not only an ADA issue, but is a key element in making a library welcoming and easy to use.

COLLECTIONS:

The more residents a community has that are elderly and/or disabled, the more emphasis the library should place on large print materials, videos and audiobooks. Many small libraries are supplied with rotating collections of large print books. The Kansas Talking Books Service should be visibly marketed in public service areas and supplied to eligible library users.

It is preferable, though not legally mandated, that reference collections should be in half-height shelving. Signage for reference stacks should be as clear and informative as possible and the department should be clearly identified with a large sign.

There should be good signage for all special collections.

Large print copies of articles or other brief materials should be supplied upon request.

Few small libraries can afford Braille materials but they still have an obligation to supply such materials through interlibrary loan when they are requested.

WATER FOUNTAIN:

Water fountains in libraries should be low. If the library has a full-height water fountain, the addition of a water cooler and a cup dispenser will bring the library into good compliance. Cup dispensers are often recommended, in any case, because difficulty in swallowing can be a covered disability.

TELEPHONE:

The top of a public service telephone should be no more than 48 inches above the floor. The rapid growth of cell phone use has gradually made telephone compliance a less urgent issue. Many small libraries also allow library users to make very brief use of an accessible staff phone.

COPIER:

The copy plate of a copier should be no more than 36 inches off the floor. Most library copiers are in compliance.

RESTROOMS:

The path to a public restroom should be barrier-free and 36 inches wide. The doorway should have a 36 inch clear space. The doors should be push-type or have push-type handles.

A single service restroom should have a clear space of at least five feet by five feet. Five feet by eight feet is considered fullest compliance.

A multiple service restroom should have one handicapped stall. The entrance to the stall should be at least 36 inches wide and should have a clear space of at least five feet by five feet.

All toilet commodes should be equipped with grab bars at the side and back. These should be no more than 36 inches above the floor. The back grab bar should be 36 inches long and the side grab bar should be 42 inches long. The paper dispenser should have continuous paper delivery.

All restroom fixtures should be less than 48 inches off the floor, including mirror, soap dispenser and towel rack. Sink faucets should have push-type handles rather than twist-type.

Pipes should be covered or wrapped to prevent burns. This is considered a child safety issue as well as an ADA issue.

The restroom should be strongly lighted. A visually impaired person should be able to refresh make-up or replace a contact lens. White or yellow paint can help correct weak lighting. Blue and dark tan have a tendency to drain light.

The mirror should be as large as possible and strongly lighted. A mirror shelf is recommended for fullest compliance.

The restroom door should carry both verbal and pictorial signs. However, it should not carry the symbol for barrier-free access unless the restroom is truly in very good compliance with the law.

For small libraries, it is better to have a unisex restroom than to have one that is in poor compliance with the ADA. If the library serves more than 5,000 people, however, this would not be considered good service.

Restroom compliance is a common problem for small libraries and older libraries. Some of these problems cannot be solved without a remodeling program. But minor compliances, such as grab bars, correct fixtures and strong lighting, should be put in place. Problems that cannot be solved without undue hardship should be carefully documented.

MEETING ROOMS:

The library meeting room should have directional signage, a large door sign and a door clearance of at least 36 inches wide.

Most library meeting rooms do not have serious problems when they are empty. The most common problem is inadequate lighting. Side and center aisles should be 40 inches wide when audience seating is in place. There should be one wheelchair space for every twenty-five seats and this should be placed with an excellent view of the front of the room.

Microphones should be used for every program that has an audience of more than twenty-five people. Signers should be supplied when requested, unless this is clearly an undue hardship.

Water should be available at all meetings and programs, whether refreshments are served or not. There are no formal regulations in regard to refreshments, but it is best to avoid very spicy or very hard food.

OUTREACH:

Outreach service to those in residential institutions and to the homebound should be offered. If outreach service cannot be offered, undue hardship should be documented.

Larger libraries often have a staff member who works with outreach. Small libraries often need to find an effective volunteer to handle such a program.

Generally, the rule is that the less accessible the library is to the public, the more important outreach becomes.

Outreach is often very poorly marketed to the public, even when it is available. The library should try to have enough resources devoted to outreach to make it possible to market the program.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS:

Emergency preparedness is considered an ADA issue because the library staff is responsible for library users during an emergency, whether they are able-bodied or disabled. A library that does not have written procedures for emergencies and a staff effectively trained in using these procedures cannot be considered in good compliance with the ADA.

There is information in the Kansas Public Library Policy Manual to help libraries create an emergency preparedness plan. System consultants can also help with this project.

New staff members and new board members should be given a copy of the library's emergency preparedness plan. All staff members and volunteers should read and sign off on it once a year.

All public libraries should have portable fire extinguishers. Even small libraries usually need three of them. The staff members should be trained in their use.

Public libraries should also have smoke alarms, though small libraries may use the same kind as used in private homes.

All public libraries should have a second exit that can serve as an emergency exit. The emergency exit should have a large sign and the path to it should be kept clear. The exterior of the emergency exit should have a handrail to help people get away from the building quickly and safely.

All public libraries should have a battery operated radio, powerful flashlights and extra batteries. These should be checked every six months. Blankets and bottled water are also good supplies to have, especially in larger libraries.

All public libraries should have a procedure for severe weather. If the library doesn't have a lower level, library users should be directed to a nearby building, to a restroom without windows or to a central, protected part of the building.

STAFF PROTOCOLS:

Library staff should be trained in impeccable courtesy to those who are disabled, in fragile health or elderly. This training can be handled through a written staff manual, but staff should have to sign an agreement that they have read and understood it. Training for staff is also available from the systems, the state library and sometimes from the municipality.

Staff and volunteers should be advised of the following:

When a library user is accompanied by a caregiver, communication should still be addressed to the library user, if possible. He or she should not be ignored.

When speaking to a hearing-impaired person, the staff member should not only speak clearly but make sure they are facing the person.

A person with speech impairment may be asked, politely, to write their request, but only after an honest attempt has been made to understand what the library user is saying.

Visually impaired persons should be escorted to the service they need. Even in a small library, pointing is rarely helpful.

A wheelchair is considered part of the user's body and should never be touched without permission. A wheelchair user should be asked if they need assistance only when the situation clearly warrants.

If it is feasible, the staff member should sit down when talking with a person in a wheelchair.

Persons with mobility impairments should not be hurried. A staff member may ask if he or she can retrieve something or write something down, if the library user seems to be having difficulty.

Under Kansas law, all service dogs can go wherever their masters go. A service dog can be complimented or admired, but it should never be petted or spoken to directly while it is on duty.

It is good practice to allow service dogs in training to examine the library, although it is not legally mandated.

Disfigured persons and amputees should be neither stared at nor avoided. A conscious effort should be made to treat them with standard courtesy.

Any person complaining about the library's ADA compliance, or any barrier to using the library, should be treated with impeccable courtesy. There should be an understood procedure that they will be referred to someone who is trained to help them. This is usually either the library director or the library's designated ADA coordinator.




Back to top

Space Planning for Physical Facilities


Physical Facility Summary of Standards Assumptions

Physical facility standards for the various library service levels were largely developed by applying the principles contained in Public Library Space Needs: A Planning Outline, by Anders C. Dahlgren, Bulletin No. 8210, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 1988. This document defines six broad types of library space: collection space, user seating space, staff work space, meeting space, special-use space, and non-assignable (including mechanical) space. It describes the process for estimating space needs as involving the following steps:

1. Identify the library's projected service population, known as the design population. Determine projected population figures using a 20-year planning timeframe.

2. Estimate the number of items the library will need in its collection to meet future service requirements and identify how much floor space is needed to house that projected collection.

3. Estimate the number of seats the library will need to accommodate in- house use of the collection and how much floor space these seats will require.

4. Estimate the number of staff work stations that will be necessary to support the staff's projected routines and how much floor space they will require.

5. Estimate the type and capacity of meeting rooms that the library will need and how much floor space these will require.

6. Calculate an allocation for miscellaneous public- and staff-use space.

7. Calculate an allocation for vestibules, furnace rooms, restrooms, and other types of non-assignable space.

8. Assemble the estimates for the six types of space into an overall estimate of space need.

Dahlgren notes that projected space needs design and allocation is important in physical facilities planning, but is by no means the only consideration. One should also look at energy efficiency and the condition of heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems, accessibility for those with disabilities, adaptability to meet the electrical and telecommunications needs for emerging technologies, and the general effectiveness of work flow.

Below are reproduced the user seating schedule and space needs worksheet from Public Library Space Needs: A Planning Outline. These tools will help with the calculation of a library's projected overall space need.


USER SEATING SCHEDULE

Population   Seats per 1,000 population
     
2,000   12.5
4,000   10.0
8,000   7.0
15,000   5.0
25,000   4.0
50,000   3.0
100,000   2.0
500,000   1.0


PARKING SPACE FORMULA

User Parking - 1 space per 300 sq. ft. of building

Staff Parking - 1 space per .75 FTE staff

Required Parking Area - 350 sq. ft. per space

ADA Parking Requirements - see Department of Justice, Code of Federal Regulations, 28 CFR Part 36, revised as of July 1, 1994.


SPACE NEEDS WORKSHEET (adapted from Dahlgren, Anders C., Public Library Space Needs: A Planning Outline, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction, 1998)

Step 1. Design Population

  a. Current local population (for comparison only) ______
  b. Projected local population ______
  c. Projected nonresident population ______
  d. Design population (b+c) ______

[Relate the design population (from l.d) to collection standards by library service levels to identify collection size figures for step 2 below.]

Step 2. Collection Space
    Sq. ft.
  a. Books ______volumes ÷ 10 ______ ______
  b. Recordings ______ items ÷ 10 ______ ______
  c. Periodical display ______ titles ÷ 10 ______ ______
  d. Periodical storage ______ titles x 0.5 x 5 ______ years retained ______
  e. Total (a+b+c+d) ______

Step 3. User Seating Space

a. seats x 30 ________

[Consult the User Seating Schedule (above) to identify the appropriate number of user seats.]

Step 4. Staff Work Space

a. stations x 150 ________

[To determine the appropriate number of work spaces and appropriate staffing levels at each space, examine present staff assignments and workloads. A work space frequently is shared by more than one staff member. On occasion, a staff member may have more than one work space.]

Step 5. Meeting Room Space

  a. General meeting space ______ seats x 10 ______
  b. Conference room space ______ seats x 25 ______
  c. Children's programming space ______ seats x 10 ______
  d. Total (a+b+c) ______

[The number and size of meeting rooms should be determined by the library's anticipated programming activities and by the availability of similar rooms elsewhere in the community for use by local groups.]

Step 6. Special Use Space

  a. Collection space (from 2.e) ______
      User seating space (from 3.e) ______
      Staff work space (from 4.e) ______
      Meeting room space (from S.d) ______
  b. Subtotal 1 ______
  c. Multiply subtotal 1 by 0.1 ______

[Include in this area the public card catalog or group of terminals to access an automated catalog, index tables, newspaper racks, AV shelving, photocopiers, etc. Special use space typically constitutes approximately 10 percent of the overall total area in the building. This percentage declines in larger buildings.]

Step 7. Nonassignable Space

  a. Subtotal 1 (from 6.b) ______
  b. Special use space (from 6.c) ______
  c. Subtotal 2 (a + b) ______
  c. Multiply subtotal 2 by 0.25 ______

[Some representative types of nonassignable space are furnace rooms, janitor's closets, storage rooms, vestibules, corridors, stairwells, elevator shafts, and restrooms. Such space is necessary to support the operation of the building, but cannot be used directly for library service. Nonassignable space typically constitutes approximately 20-30 percent of the overall total area in the building. This percentage is higher for libraries with more than one floor level and more open space. This percentage tends to increase in larger buildings.]

Step 8. Putting It All Together

  a. Collection space (from 2.e) ______
  b. User seating space (from 3.a) ______
  c. Staff work space (from 4.a) ______
  d. Meeting room space (from S.d) ______
  e. Special use space (from 6.c) ______
  f. Nonassignable space (from 7.d) ______
  g. GROSS AREA NEEDED (a+b+c+d+e+f) ______

When reviewing the physical facilities space, shelving, seating and parking recommendations by library service levels, it is important to note that these are only guidelines of the most general nature. The careful calculation of space needs guidelines using Dahlgren's worksheet above must take into account the local library's design population figures.





Back to top



Bibliography of Publications on Library Building Programs


American Institute of Architects, You and Your Architect, 1995.

Black, J.B., O'Donnell, Ruth, and Scheuerle, Jane, Surveying Public Libraries for the ADA, State Library of Florida, 1993.

Brawner, Lee, and Beck, Donald K., Determining Your Public Library's Future Size, American Library Association, 1996.

Brown, Carol R., Planning Library Interiors, 1995.

Childers, Tom A., and Nancy A. Van House, What's Good?: Describing Your Public Library's Effectiveness. Chicago: American Library Association, 1993.

Cirillo, Susan E. and Danford, Robert E., Library Buildings, Equipment and the ADA: Compliance Issues and Solutions, American Library Association, 1996.

Dahlgren, Anders C., Publi