"Ask A Librarian” is a phrase we frequently see and hear in the promotion of libraries – nowhere is it more relevant than during the planning process of a new library or a space within a library.

It is sometimes difficult to know where to start when making some changes to an area in your library and to prepare to talk with an architect or contractor about new construction. Librarians are busy with what they do and the familiar running of a library and the circulation of the books. They can use their skills for retrieval of materials and translate their expertise in communicating new information by providing the groundwork throughout the process of designing their library spaces.

Going on “field trips” to see new and completed installations in your region may be the best place to start. Those who have recently finished a project have the “happy” and the “less desirable” experiences fresh in their mind and are eager to share what they may have done differently.

Taking photos or video of the spaces can be helpful to bring back to the planning committee as reference points and to spark discussion. If funding doesn’t permit travel, the newer library may be willing to send some photos of those areas under consideration for your project.

The most important thing to realize is your ideas count. You as librarians in residence know how the space works (or doesn’t function for you). If you are able to dialog with your planner (architect, interior designer, etc) as to what you are currently experiencing there is a good chance that you can work together on what the ideal arrangement would be for the area. This could influence the layout of the furniture, the traffic pattern and ultimately the flow of the library. If these issues can be visualized and discussion pursued within the confines of the library staff the ideas have a much better chance of getting fine tuned and heard by those you have chosen to physically make those changes happen.

These following points are basic for discussion and useful in pivotal point layout considerations:

• Providing enough horizontal work surfaces to use but not creating too large of a surface that can become a clutter distraction (as well as taking up too much room for the function of the user)
• Is drawer space necessary? If a person will be stationed there for hours, the furniture would have different needs than if staff visits that station as customer needs warrant. The more multi-function that a service desk can provide the more it pays for itself.
• Will the staff sit or stand? Can staff easily move around the service desk to help customers in the stacks and the computer areas?
• Will the customer sit or stand? Demographics of your customer and philosophy of your library concerning service will determine this answer.
• Are signs easy to see and logical to follow from many points?
• If the library has in-house security is it highly visible as a deterrent? If it doesn’t have security is there a station that provides the feeling that that the building is under watchful eyes?
• Is there an area for storage of book trucks when not is use?
• Is the place to return books clearly seen or do signs point the way?
• Should electrical be planned in the stacks for any reason?
• Does staff have visual control over an area? Is there a clear line of sight through the stacks and across the floor? What types of areas are hidden from view?
• Is there enough open space for the customer to enter the library and adjust to the interior environment and make the decision as to what they need to find and easily see the assistance they require?
• Have special needs customer issues been addressed?
• Will lighting be addressed both with daylight and supplemental lighting to be used after sundown?
• Are public access points (circulation, copy machines, kiosks, meeting/study rooms) easily accessible from the entry?
• What do you see as a constant challenge in your library?

Enlist the services of a non-biased party (someone outside the committee) to collate and synthesize all ideas that come out of the discussion before meeting with the architect* to see what ideas will fly. Look forward to an effective and well-thought out meeting with your planner.

* this could be the contractor or other agency that will provide services to you for a fee