[Publib] Architects with bad ideas

Fri Oct 26 11:47:10 EDT 2007

I agree completely!

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

----- Original Message -----
From: julie at 4bauers.us
Date: Friday, October 26, 2007 10:12 am
Subject: Re: RE: [Publib] Architects with bad ideas
To: publib <publib at webjunction.org>

> 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
>  >  
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