[Publib] advice for an architecture student

[Sue Kamm]

My library has three floors for the public (and a basement level that houses technical services and our closed stack collection).  One problem we have (and a reason a certain well-known architect should NEVER be allowed to design another library building) is that our circulation desk is in a "lobby."  One set of double glass doors leads into the real lobby (an atrium, tile floors, running through all three floors), and another into the library proper.  We have complained that there is no overt staff presence on the first floor.  Our Hispanic Services division is housed in a corner, and the Youth Services/Children's division has double glass doors.  

Our second floor includes the adult reference desk and the serials/government publications divison.  We have mirrors which we can (allegedly) use to monitor what's happening in other parts of the floor.  The audio-visual division is on the third floor.  

I'd like to see a building where the purblic stairwells and elevators are flush against walls - that is, there are no stairs or elevators that create poor sightlines.  It would be helpful to have visible staff workstations (reference desk, circulation, other) on each floor.  

Lighting is another issue.  Stack areas should be well-lit so borrowers don't need a miner's hat or powerful flashlight to locate materials on the top or bottom shelves.  Remind the architect that lighting fixtures are not permanent.  Bulbs and tubes burn out, and replacing them should not require special scaffolding or one of those hoist lifts.  

We have light wells that are magnets for kids who want to attract their friends' attention by yelling up or down them.  Forget them.  

Kill the all-glass library (a la Seattle) and skylights.  Who's going to clean all that glass?  How often would it need to be cleaned?  What recourse does the library have if the fancy glass walls and/or skylights leak?  

Load bearing:  Floors should support the weight of shelves with materials on them.  The architect should plan ahead for possible compact shelving, and design the floors to bear that weight.  (When I was a law librarian in another incarnation, a law firm spent a small fortune on acquiring and installing compact shelving.  The inspectors wouldn't give them an occupancy permit because the floors wouldn't support the weight of the shelves when they were laden with books.) 

Bottom line:  I suggest the architect student observe libraries in action.  S/he should visit particularly when nearby schools let out.  

-----Original Message-----
>From: Kevin Okelly <KOkelly at minlib.net>
>Sent: Apr 22, 2008 10:14 AM
>To: publib at webjunction.org
>Subject: RE: [Publib] advice for an architecture student
>
>Publibbers:
>
>I am advising an architecture student who is designing a library for her 
>senior project. I thought I would solicit any thoughts provoked by this 
>query of hers:
>
>"One issue I am dealing with is the circulation desk. I know that it is 
>important for the circulation desk to be central and have sightlines to 
>as many areas of the library as possible. I understand that there are 
>generally very few librarians and staff working at any one time and 
>therefore a central desk is crucial. My question is, how does a multi 
>story library work? My assumption is that  a multi-story library 
>requires security and more staffing, but I guess I would like to know 
>your thoughts on what the benefits and obstacles are when the library 
>staff cannot see all the users at once."
>
>Frankly, I don't know of any library that operates on the panopticon 
>principle. I've only worked in multi-story libraries and the circulation 
>desk is generally right by the exit and it is the reference desk that is 
>central. All I can think to tell her just seems really obvious. Do those 
>of you have worked in a variety of buildings have any unusual insights 
>to share?
>


Your friendly CyberGoddess and Councilor-at-large,
Sue Kamm
Inglewood/Los Angeles, CA
Truest of the Blue, Los Angeles Dodgers Think Blue Week 2000
Visit my blog:  http://suekamm.blogspot.com
email:  suekamm [at] mindspring.com
"High fly ball into right field ... she is gone!  In a year that has seemed so improbable, the impossible has happened!"  
- Vin Scully, describing Kirk Gibson's walk-off home run, Game 1, 1988 World Series