Allocating Space in Your Library to Meet Changing Needs.

Allocating Space in Your Library to Meet Changing Needs

Using this software

• Microphone• Raising your hand• Green / Red X• Laughing / Clapping • Stepping out

• Text chat• Audio• Full Screen• Exiting

Agenda

• Introductions and expectations – who are we, what do we hope to learn today?

• Why has space suddenly become a big issue?

• A data-based approach to reallocating existing space to meet changing needs

• Signage

Introductions

• Your name• Your position• Tell us a little about your library

– Academic? Public? Special?– How big?

• Are you currently considering a change to your spaces, services or programs? What kind?

Exercise 1

• Changing Spaces• Think about major areas of your library

that have undergone a change in use since you first started working there.

• Note: we’re not talking about changes in physical arrangement here: an area’s usage can change without its being redone physically.

•  

Exercise 1

• Spaces to Consider: • Entrance/exit, amenities (coffee

shop?), book returns, service desks/points, computers and equipment, classrooms, meeting spaces, adult areas, children’s areas, staff only spaces

Has use of space in your library changed?

• Think about each of the areas listed

• How has use of the space changed?• When did it change?• Has the space changed physically?

Do you want (or expect) a change in the services

your library offers?

• Changes in equipment imply changes in space

• New library areas dedicated to new services

• Changes to current services may increase or decrease the space needed

Exercise 2

• Reviewing service plans

Reallocating existing space for changing needs

• Develop a reorganization plan• Decide whether you want outside

consultants• Data-based decision making

Developing a reorganization plan

1. What new or changed services do we want to implement?

2. Do they have an impact on how library space is used?

3. How will we organize to get the work done?

Developing a reorganization plan

4. What spaces, furnishings, and equipment that takes up space will be needed to implement new and changed services?

5. How is existing space used and what is in it?

6. What is the gap between 4 and 5, and how can we fill it?

Help from outside consultants and experts?

Different types of outside consultants:

• Library consultant (building and/or service specialist)

• Architect • Interior designer• Store planning/design experts

Help from outside consultants and experts?

• Technology consultant • Signage consultant• Structural engineer• Building contractor

Exercise 3

• Consider the input of outside consultants

Service Type of Expertise Needed

Expert’s Responsibilities

Provide a homework center for middle/ high school students in two-story libraryCreate a collaborative study area

Offer roaming reference and information services in place of a fixed reference point

Exercise 3

• If you were doing this for your own library, you would add a column to indicate whether the expertise is available within your library or agency. What other considerations are there when deciding whether to use an outside expert or not?

Day 1 wrap up, HomeworkLibrary Walkthrough

With a new/changed service in mind:• What data to collect, about what

section of the facility components?• Is there existing data? New data

needed?• Initial impressions? (Not meant to be

used as official data!)

Welcome Back! Day 2--Library walkthrough review

With a new/changed service in mind:• What data to collect, about what

section of the facility components?• Is there existing data? New data

needed?• Initial impressions? (Not meant to be

used as official data!)

Data-based decision making

Why do it?• Decisions made with facts, not just

impressions• Less chance of mistakes• Helps eliminate personal opinions

Data-based decision making

Why do it?• Proposals to managers and funding

sources are better supported• Helps assure that all factors are

accounted for• Allows organized and brief

presentation of information to decision makers

• Decide which parts of the facility to study

• Decide what data to collect• Decide on the facility components

you will collect data about• Identify data sources• Collect data• Analyze and present data

Data-based decision making

Which parts of the facility to study?

• Multiple facilities • One whole building• A floor of the building• An area or multiple areas within the

public or staff space

What data to collect?

• Capacity• Use• Condition/Age• Access

What data to collect?

• Technology footprint• Traffic flow• Spatial relationships• Square footage

What facility components will you collect data

about?• Physical plant• Signage• Materials storage• Furniture and fixed furnishings• Free-standing equipment

Identifying data sources

Existing information• Architectural plans

• Furnishing and equipment inventories

• Network specifications• Furniture specifications

• Library automation software

• Surveys

Identifying data sources

Existing information• Door count tallies• Meeting room use data

• Manual service tallies

• Automated service tallies• Reports

Identifying data sources

New information• Capacity• Usage• Condition/age• Access

Identifying data sources

New information• Technology footprint• Spatial relationships• Square footage• Signage

Collecting data

• Gather data from existing sources• Collect new data:

– Direct observation– Research and reference– Conjecture, opinion and educated

guesswork

Analyzing and presenting data

Numerical analysis & presentation• Numerical data is versatile!• Present in tabular form

– e.g. Square Footage requirements

• Present in graphical form– Visualize trends, proportions, etc.

Analyzing and presenting data

Resource Gap Analysis• Compare what exists to what is needed• Avoid personal opinions

– Opinions vs. estimations as data

• Be aware of your data types & sources• Brainstorm options• Do not decide what to do about gap

Drawing floor plans

Draw to scale or don’t bother doing it!• All dimensions reduced by the same

proportion• 1:48 is a common scale

– 1” on paper = 4’ life-sized

Drawing floor plans

Methods:• Use existing plans• Draw on paper• Use floor-plan

software

601.94

22' 3"

16' 11"

9' 11"

14' 7"

12' 4"

31' 6"

12' 0"

1' 8"

12' 0"

1' 8"

Signage

The signs in your library contribute to:• The ambiance • Patrons’ ability to use the library• Establishing areas of space

Signage

Basic Sign Types in Libraries:• Directory/floor plan• Directional (has an arrow)• Identification (label)• Information/instruction

Signage

• Attractive• Easy to read• Serve a purpose• Where needed• Easily seen• ADA compliant (Section 4.30)

Thank You for Attending!

Questions?Questions?• Professional

Development• 1.800.999.8558• Web: lyrasis.org

•e-mail: russell.palmer@lyrasis.org