[Publib] libraries in municipal buildings

[Roger Carswell]

Although I have not worked in a library in this situation, I have worked 
with several libraries in the Southeast Kansas Library System which share 
municipal buildings.  There have been very few problems, but here are some 
considerations based on my experience.

Will you have a long-term lease?  How much notice must you be given should 
they ask you to vacate the premises?
Who will pay utilities and insurance on the building?  If the library pays 
utilities, will they be separately metered?
Be sure that all library entrances can be secured from entry by 
non-authorized people when the library is closed.
A separate entrance for the library is at least desirable, and if the main 
lobby of the building will be locked off during any time during which the 
library might conceivably be open, is crucial.
Will there be separate restrooms in the library?  If not, will library 
users always have access to restrooms elsewhere in the building?


At 12:26 PM 2/1/2008 -0500, Andrea Berstler - Director wrote:

>Our municipality is considering several avenues to deal with exponential
>growth. Thankfully, they are taking the library into consideration along
>with several other services (Community Center, local government, police,
>etc). This is very nice as we are a 501 3(c) and not a municipal government
>entity.
>
>One of the possible options is to house all the services in one complex. On
>the surface, this appears to be a win win for us, however I would like to
>make sure I have researched this.
>
>If you are presently housed in such a complex or are looking into this setup
>- could you please let me know what issues, problems, etc have you
>experienced ?
>What do you know now that you wished you had know then?
>What things does the library need to look out for, plan for, etc. when using
>this type of setup.
>
>
>Also - does anyone know if a spread sheet or formula for working a rough
>estimate of furnishings for a library based on square footage?
>
>
>Thank you in advance!
>
>
>Andrea
>
>Andrea Berstler - Director
>The Village Library of Morgantown
>PO Box 797, 207 N Walnut St
>Morgantown, PA
>www.villagelibrary.org
>610-286-1022
>Preserving the Past . . . Preparing for the Future . . .
>
>Sometimes you gotta create what you want to be a part of.    - Geri Weitzman
>
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**************************************************************
Roger Carswell
Southeast Kansas Library System/Iola Public Library
218 E. Madison
Iola, KS  66749
(620) 365-5136
rcarswell at sekls.org