[Publib] Architects with bad ideas

[julie at 4bauers.us]

And it's not just the architects.  I worked in an office (not a library) that was completely gutted and renovated.  The managers decided not to let the rest of the staff see the plans or have any input because they wanted to avoid complaints and squabbling.  The receptionist walked in the first day and sat down at her shiny new desk -- and discovered that she could not see the entrance because of a lovely and unnecessary pillar that blocked her sight line.  I think if she had been allowed to see the plans, she would have noticed that.  Staff members at all levels should have input, because they will see details that pertain to their jobs that may be missed by others.

Julie Bauer
Loudoun County Public Library
Leesburg, VA

----- Original Message ----
From: Jennie J. Stoltz <jstoltz at pewaukee.lib.wi.us>
To: suekamm at mindspring.com
Cc: publib <publib at webjunction.org>
Sent: Tuesday, October 23, 2007 7:20:39 PM
Subject: Re: RE: [Publib] Architects with bad ideas


YES, just because an architect has worked on a lot of libraries and has
 built up a reputation for that doesn't mean that they design
 FUNCTIONAL facilities.  We've had a lot of new libraries go up in this area over
 the past five years or so and I've visited many of them.  Each and
 every time the librarians would show me one (or more) problem that
 resulted from an unfortunate decision that had been made.  Often times the
 librarians would say "we asked them to do it such-and-such way but...".  

At one library there were these beautiful built-in furniture pieces
 installed right over the electrical sockets.  In order to unplug or plug
 something in you have to crawl on the floor and reach up below the back
 of the piece.  Even then it isn't always possible to reach the socket.
  Sight lines are also something that is often ignored by architects
 because they can't understand their importance.  I also worked at one
 library where the desks were extremely short so they were VERY
 uncomfortable to sit at, especially when you were on the desk for an 8 hour shift.
  On top of that the desk drawers (in the same desk) only came out half
 way so you couldn't really use them for storing.

I think it's an excellent decision to go and visit the other libraries
 that the architects have done.  In particular ask them if there were
 any things they would have done differently...  I suspect that most
 people aren't going to want to say anything negative about their architects.
  I think that most library architects work very hard creating a
 beautiful and functional space but sometimes perhaps the Form part does get
 ahead of the Function part.
 

Jennie J. Stoltz
Director
Pewaukee Public Library
(262) 691-5670, ext. 20
(262) 691-5673 fax

----- Original Message -----
From: Sue Kamm <suekamm at mindspring.com>
Date: Monday, October 22, 2007 8:38 pm
Subject: RE: [Publib] Architects with bad ideas
To: Su Epstein <sepstein at columbiactlibrary.org>, publib
 <publib at webjunction.org>


> The last thing you need is some architect with awards up the wazoo
 for 
> designing buildings.  Before you hire an architect, visit some of the
 
> buildings s/he has designed and talk to the front-line staff who work
 
> there daily.  
>  
>  A library (or any other building, for that matter) should not
 shriek: 
> "Look at me! Aren't I gorgeous?"
>  
>  Your friendly neighborhood CyberGoddess and ALA Councilor at Large, 
>  Sue Kamm
>  Email: suekamm[at]mindspring.com
>  Inglewood/Los Angeles, CA
>  Los Angeles Dodgers Truest of the Blue, 2000
>  Visit my blog: http://suekamm.blogspot.com
>  Baseball Is Life...the rest is details.
>  
>  
>  ----- Original Message ----- 
>  From: Su Epstein 
>  To: PUBLIB
>  Sent: 10/22/2007 4:11:33 PM 
>  Subject: [Publib] Architects with bad ideas
>  
>  
>  The recent ramp issue, has prompted me to write�
>   
>  We are at the very early stages of building planning.  Our town 
> selectmen believe that if the architects have a �library
 specialty�  
> they are the experts and know all about how to create a library.  The
 
> last such �expert� I dealt with, suggested putting a spiral stair
 case 
> in the middle of a k-12 school library as the ONLY access to the 
> school�s gym�  The drawn picture with stationary students drawn
 in, 
> DID look pretty.
>   
>  I do not believe ~my~ experience unique an my selectman�s
 accurate.  
> So� if you have a related horror story and want to write me off
 list� 
> I�m going to start assembling them.  Names and libraries will be 
> withheld upon request.
>   
>  Thanks!
>  Su
>  Write me at:   sepstein at columbiactlibrary.org
>   
>  Su Epstein, Ph.D.
>  Library Director
>  Saxton B. Little Free Library
>  Columbia, CT 06237
>  
> _______________________________________________
>  Publib mailing list
>  Publib at webjunction.org
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