Library Planning Meeting #5 7/7/07 See also: New Library Building Present: Kate Billington, Kris Chandler, Eric Glos, Judie Gumm, Deirdre Helfferich, Hans Mölders, Mike Musick, Margaret Rogers, Lois Sala, Judie Triplehorn Gazebo rough plan needs to be larger, perhaps 12 or 14 feet across, a couple of benches inside as well Basic Decisions on Library Design First, everybody is pretty much unanimous that we want a single large room for the stacks and a multipurpose reading/map/circulation desk area, with bathroom, utility/janitor closet/mudroom area, all on the main floor. Second floor should be a loft overlooking the main room, with space for two offices/rental spaces and one library workroom/office, and maybe a small common area. There should be stairs both inside and outside (so the office/rental spaces have access separate from the library). Everybody seemed to like the clerestory idea. NOTE: a business plan will be needed for obtaining grants (plus simple operations plans) (listed in priorities of 1, 2, 3) MAIN FLOOR 1. library stacks (1): square footage: 1200 (min), 1600 (max) notes: the stacks should include mostly permanent shelving, tied together at the top for earthquake stability. Judie Triplehorn recommended room for 20,000 volumes, perhaps less (for expansion good for twenty years). Some shelving should be moveable: a map case, smaller bookshelves that could be used near the lounge area and rolled out of the way when a larger space is needed. Shelving: double-sided, not against the walls, enough room between for a wheelchair with turnaround space at the end of each aisle. Stacks in modules of five or six shelves high, one foot deep, three feet wide, adjustable height but the modules shouldn't be more than seven feet tall, preferably six feet. (Judie recommended metal shelves rather than wooden since they don't burn and aren't as heavy, although wooden ones are nicer looking.) The stacks should be arranged so that a librarian at the circulation desk can see to the ends of the aisles. 2. multipurpose/reading area (1); square footage: 500 (min), 600 (max) notes: the reading area would be a combined-function space, with a couch & coffeetable, a couple of comfy chairs, a large table for groups, and several small tables/work carrels for individuals with utilitarian chairs. It would include at one end (toward the stacks) the circulation desk (which would be one largeish school desk plus a work table, so about 36 square feet of workspace, with phone line). One table (perhaps the group table) would actually serve two purposes: it would be a moveable map case/shelving unit and a table. Children's books would be shelved near the reading area (and perhaps on the moveable shelves) so that this could function as a kids' area, too. tables and chairs could be moved out of the way to make room. One suggestion was to provide a little privacy for groups by making this area L-shaped, or breaking it into two sections. If one space, it could be made more private by using the moveable shelving to act as a psychological separator (these shelves would be, naturally, shorter than the permanent stacks). The L-shape or irregular area idea seemed popular, although we didn't actually make a decision on it. There should be windows in this area on the main level. see also #8 & #9 addendum: a small (32 to maybe 63 square feet) gift shop area (counter and shelving w/space for somebody to sit behind the counter) should be added to this area as a continuous fundraising area per business plan/future and ongoing funding source (requested of architect after meeting in consideration of Triplehorn's suggestion) 3. bathroom (1): square footage: (we weren't sure what this would be, since we're not sure what the legal requirements are) enough for a urinal and a toilet, and a vanity. A fold-down changing table would also be good. The occupancy shouldn't require more than these appliances (Likely to be less than 10 at any given time, and probably only rarely as much as 35, which seems to be the breaking point to more toilets) notes: We had an incredibly lively discussion about composting toilets; we're still not decided. The big problem is whether they can be reliably used without smell and without more than once-a-year maintenance. Most of us would like to avoid having to put in a full septic system if we can; it looks like a Clivus Multrum might be the way to go, although it adds to the initial expense (but not like a septic system). We'd still have to put in a greywater system. Dual-flush toilets were suggested also. We had a vote for an outhouse. 4. entry room (1): square footage: 100 (min), 200 (max) notes: this should be a combined mudroom, info area (bulletin board, brochure rack), and janitorial area with sink for mopping, etc. Access to the utility room would be from here. The janitorial area could be separated from the rest of the area by a coatrack or by the bulletin board. If it seems better, combine this with the utility room. 5. utility room (1): square footage: 140 (min), 200 (max) (again, guessing as to what's needed) notes: this would include room for a good-sized Toyo. Heat for the building should be underfloor radiant heating. We'll also need to store the water tank in here (hence the large area needed). We'll want to be able to add on a seasonal solar heating switchover eventually (use the Toyo or Monitor in the winter, the solar tubes or other collectors in spring and fall and for hot water in summer, spring, and fall). Also, of course, electrical stuff. 6. dumb waiter (1): square footage: 4 notes: since the work area's going to be upstairs but the circulation desk downstairs, we figured out we'd need a dumb waiter to haul books up and down, rather than trying to cart them down the stairs. If there's a way to do this with a pulley system and levers rather than electricity, or as an adjunct to an electric system, that won't make the librarian sweat and will let him or her haul 100 pounds (two or three boxes) of books at a time, we'd like that.
7. kitchenette (2): square footage: 8 (min), 12 (max) notes: we don't want to encourage food preparation, but we want something available so the volunteers staffing the library can heat up lunch, or have tea or coffee or something, plus a few cabinets to store goodies. There should be room for a sink, a little counter space, and maybe a microwave or coffeepot. It's possible that this could go upstairs. 8. audio/visual booth (3): square footage: 8 (min), 12 (max) notes: really low priority; we could just have a table with headset and carrels in the multipurpose area; people could watch movies on computers 9. computer stations (1): note: this should be included in the multipurpose area. There should be two stations, one for PC and one for Mac. We've got old computers already, so all we'd need is tables where they can be set up. We can get DSL access. 10. stairs to loft (1): interior stairs, single flight LOFT FLOOR upstairs should have access both from inside library and from outside. 1. librarian workspace/book storage (1): square footage: 200 (min), 350 (max) notes: should have the dumb waiter coming into this room. Could include the kitchenette. Storage shelves, desks, filing cabinets, computers. Should have windows (openable), lots of plugins. Library phone line should connect here. 2. rental spaces (1): square footage: 200 (min), 400 (max) notes: depending on the eventual size of the upper floor, there could be two or three office spaces available for rent. With luck, these will be leased and provide income for the library. Each space should have wiring for phone and internet, windows (openable), lots of plugins. 3. common lounge area (3): notes: again, depends on the eventual size of the upper floor. Space for plants, artwork, common area for offices. Not open to the public. Kitchenette could be off of this room. EXTERIOR 1. porch (1): square footage: not that important The building as a whole should face toward the south, so as to catch both sun and view. The porch should wrap around, with seating on the sunny side, and ramp access. 2. community garden space (1): we've already got one started; space should be reserved for flowers, etc., next to the building and perhaps elswhere on the grounds. 3. greenspace (1): it's very important to have greenspace screening the road, and to leave as many trees as possible on the site and in the parking lot. 4. parking spaces (1): we'll need room for water trucks and firetrucks to get in, parking spaces (minimal). We don't want everything cleared out to make room for cars that won't be there most of the time. Also, parking is available at the post office and at the Golden Eagle for brief visits. | |||
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