[Publib] Architecture AL Issue

[Michael Golrick]

Good day-

As is so often true, I agree with Jim Casey. Those photos of spaces with
out people are counter-intuitive to me. We build libraries to get people
into them, why do the architects insist on photos without the user for
whom the building is presumably designed?

One concept I learned in planning a branch renovation is TCO--Total Cost
of Ownership. That includes the factors that Jim mentions (utilities,
etc.) as well as staff costs. In my case, there was discussion about
rather than having and addition where the library services were on one
floor and the lower level for meeting rooms, etc., why not just renovate
the existing structure and put services on two floors. A convincing
argument I made was the cost of staff. (It was a small branch, and two
floors would have essentially doubled the number of people needed.)

I look at buildings like Seattle Public where, in order to wash the
windows they have to close off streets, and think about the waste. That
building has wasted interior space, and has to be hard to maintain.

In that same branch renovation, I successfully got the architect to
include: tiles on the bathroom walls, floor to ceiling (easier to clean,
harder to graffiti, etc.); carpet tiles; large "walk-off mat" by the
front door; sink and tile floors in the story hour area (that made me a
hero to the children's staff!), and a bunch of other things which added
slightly to the initial cost, but would save money. (One of these days,
I hope to see that branch!)


Michael A. Golrick
ALA Councilor-at-Large, 2006-2009, relected (thanks for your votes),
2009-2012

mailto:michael.golrick at gmail.com

-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of James Casey
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 10:52 AM
To: 'Michael D. Logusz'; publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] Architecture AL Issue

When I looked through the "Design and Construction Showcase" issue of AL
my reaction is one of amazement mingled with outrage.  Is the objective
of multi-million dollar expenditure of tax dollars on Library
construction to achieve "architectural statements" with immensely high
ceilings, huge glass walls, breathtaking vistas that "wow" the visitor,
but are totally impractical to heat, cool, clean, illuminate, and
capture the occasional bird that may get in.  I have always proceeded
from the notion that "form should follow function" and not the other way
around when it comes to construction planning. When architects are
allowed to design this or that palace without reference to the stated
service objectives of a practical, functioning library, the results are
anything but flattering to our profession.  You might have huge expanses
of overhead space that look fantastic in LJ or AL, but not enough floor
space to accommodate the public or the collections.  Are patrons able to
sit in a comfortable space near windows "bringing the book to the light"
or does the natural light flood the interior with glare and heat at
given times of the day?

For me, the best photos of any service area are those depicting spaces
filled with patrons. 

James B. Casey --- My own views
Director of Oak Lawn Public Library
ALA Council Member



-----Original Message-----
From: publib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:publib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of Michael D. Logusz
Sent: Thursday, May 07, 2009 10:20 AM
To: publib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Publib] RE: Requesting photos of children's areas

RE: Requesting photos of children's areas

American Libraries had a nice 58 page digital supplement back in April
that was a photo-filled 'Design and Construction Showcase'. If you save
your AL emails it was sent April 10th. If not, try clicking:
http://viewer.zmags.com/publication/5a2490e9#/5a2490e9/1. I'm not sure
if you have to be an AL subscriber for it to work, but you can Google it
and it comes up: this is the Spring 2009 supplement (not the Winter
one). Anyway, it has photos of over 80 recent library construction
projects, including some Children's Areas.

Hope this helps,
Mike Logusz


au6855 at wayne.edu
mlogusz at Comcast.net