[Publib] advice for an architecture student--thanks

[Kevin Okelly]

Thanks to all who responded to my request for input.




Kevin O'Kelly
Reference and Cataloging Librarian
Somerville Public Library
79 Highland Ave.
Somerville, MA 02143
(617)-623-5000


-----Original Message-----
From: Sue Kamm <suekamm at mindspring.com>
To: Kevin Okelly <KOkelly at minlib.net>, publib at webjunction.org
Date: Tue, 22 Apr 2008 11:04:41 -0700 (GMT-07:00)
Subject: RE: [Publib] advice for an architecture student

> 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