Checklist of Library Building Design Considerations

by William W. Sannwald

Overview

Planning construction of a new library facility or renovation of an existing one can be a daunting task. With the new fifth edition of his Checklist of Library Building Design Considerations, veteran library administrator and construction consultant William Sannwald guides librarians and other members of a building design team through the stages of the design process. Updated materials include A new chapter on sustainable design, including issues of site selection, air quality, and energy and water efficiency New sections on wireless networking, information commons and media production and presentation labs Updated treatment of special collections and materials handling systems A new section on disaster planning ADA Accessibility Guidelines section reorganized to match structure of the federal statute Because construction projects are complex and sometimes unwieldy, Sannwald's checklist format provides a clear, concise way of itemizing the issues, helping your construction project run as smoothly as possible!

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780838909782
Publisher:	American Library Association
Publication date:	01/12/2009
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	224
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 10.90(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

William W. Sannwald is a full-time faculty member in the Fowler College of Business at San Diego State University and works as a library building and administrative consultant. He was an assistant to San Diego’s city manager and was the city’s manager of library design and development from 1997 to 2004. Prior to that, he was city librarian of the San Diego Public Library. He has worked in public libraries in Illinois, Minnesota, Michigan, and California. Sannwald received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Beloit College in Wisconsin, an MBA degree from Loyola University in Chicago, and an MALS degree from Dominican University in Illinois. He has presented papers at national and international conferences and is the author of a number of books and articles on library architecture and management. The San Diego chapter of the American Institute of Architects presented him with their highest award, the Irving Gill Award, for his contributions to library architecture, and he received the San Diego design community’s Ruocco Award for his contributions to urban architecture. During his career, Sannwald has been involved in the construction of more than fifty library buildings as either a consultant or owner’s representative in the United States, Great Britain, Angola, Greece, and the United Arab Emirates. He was elected to the International Federation of Library Systems’ Standing Committee for Library Buildings and Equipment for 2007-2011. 

Sannwald teaches a variety of upper division undergraduate and MBA courses in the management department at San Diego State University’s Fowler School of Business. He was selected as the most influential management professor and received the Outstanding Faculty Award in the Business School. In 2017 he received the Teaching Excellence Award from his peers. In 2022, he was selected as the first Glazer Outstanding Lecturer Fellow, which includes a generous stipend funded through private gifts.

Table of Contents

	Preface	vii
1	Building Planning and Architecture	1
A.	Indicators of Dissatisfaction with Existing Facilities	1
B.	Institutional Planning Team	2
C.	Determining Space Needs	3
D.	Joint Use Considerations	5
E.	Alternatives to New Construction	6
F.	Selecting a Library Building Consultant	7
G.	Choosing an Architect	8
H.	Choosing a Contractor	12
I.	Architectural Design	14
J.	Sustainable Design	17
2	Library Site Selection	20
A.	General Conditions	20
B.	Location	22
C.	Accessibility	23
D.	Size	24
E.	Environmental Issues	25
3	General Exterior Considerations	27
A.	Landscaping	27
B.	Parking	29
C.	Building Exterior	31
D.	Roof	32
E.	Bicycle Racks	33
F.	Flagpole	33
G.	Exterior Signage	34
H.	Delivery	36
I.	Book Returns	38
4	Interior Organization of Library Buildings	40
A.	Entrance	40
B.	Circulation Desk Facilities	43
C.	Reference Facilities	47
D.	Children's Facilities	51
E.	Young Adult Facilities	55
F.	Multimedia Facilities	56
G.	Special Collections/Rare Books/Archives	58
H.	Literacy Center	61
I.	Meeting and Seminar Rooms	62
J.	Convenience Facilities	66
K.	Library Store	69
L.	Displays	71
M.	Interior Signage	73
N.	Workroom/Offices	75
O.	Staff Lounge	78
P.	Friends of the Library	79
Q.	Interior Storage	81
R.	Remote Storage Facilities	82
5	Compliance with ADA Accessibility Guidelines	84
A.	Parking, Curb Cuts, and Ramps	84
B.	Entrances	89
C.	Accessible Routes within the Building	91
D.	Interior Doors	92
E.	Surfaces	93
F.	Lifts and Elevators	94
G.	Drinking Fountains	96
H.	Rest Rooms--General	97
I.	Rest Rooms with Stalls	99
J.	Rest Rooms--Single Rooms	101
K.	Rest Rooms--Unisex	102
L.	Alarms	103
M.	Signage	104
N.	Controls and Operating Mechanisms	106
O.	Telephones	107
P.	Card Catalogs and Magazine Displays	108
Q.	Book Stacks	109
R.	Reading, Study, Bibliographic, and Service Areas	109
S.	Meeting Rooms	110
T.	Building Facilities	111
6	Telecommunications, Electrical, and Miscellaneous Equipment	113
A.	General Considerations	113
B.	Telecommunications Entrances and Closets	114
C.	Horizontal Pathways	116
D.	Cabling and Outlets	117
E.	Electrical Power	119
F.	Workstation Equipment	120
G.	Telephone System	122
H.	Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment	124
7	Interior Design and Finishes	126
A.	Service Desks	126
B.	Seating	128
C.	Tables	131
D.	Lighting	132
E.	Windows	133
F.	Flooring	135
G.	Walls	136
H.	Color	138
I.	Equipment List	139
8	Book Stacks and Shelving	145
A.	Conventional Stationary Stacks and Shelving	145
B.	Movable-Aisle Compact Shelving	149
C.	Automatic Retrieval Systems	151
9	Building Systems	152
A.	HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) System	152
B.	Lighting	154
C.	Noise	157
D.	Plumbing and Rest Rooms	159
E.	Elevators and Escalators	161
10	Safety and Security	162
A.	General	162
B.	External Security	163
C.	Internal Security	164
D.	Fire Safety	165
11	Maintenance of Library Building and Property	167
A.	Graffiti	167
B.	Building Materials	168
C.	Custodial Facilities	169
D.	Groundskeeper Facilities	170
E.	Trash Enclosures	171
12	Building Occupancy and Post-Occupancy Evaluation	172
A.	Moving	172
B.	Getting Ready for Occupancy	173
C.	Post-Occupancy Evaluation	174
13	Groundbreaking and Dedication Ceremonies	176
A.	Planning	176
B.	Event Checklist	178
	Bibliography	181

Editorial Reviews

A checklist format walks library planners, librarians, architects, and members of the library design team through library buildings and facilities, spotlighting critical design and safety points. Covers everything from choosing an architect to compliance with ADA regulation, telecommunications and electrical equipment, and dealing with graffiti. New to this edition are sections on environmentally friendly design approaches, assessment of current facilities, alternatives to new construction, young adult and children's spaces, and technology advancements. Sannwald is involved in library design and development in San Diego. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

Now in a fully updated and expanded fourth edition, William Sannwald's Checklist Of Library Building Design Considerations shows library staff and board members how to evaluate their current space, analyze each design element as it relates to space and function in the library, make decisions ranging from shelving finishes to technology equipment, and satisfy the access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Of special interest to this newly revised edition are the sections on environmentally correct ("green") design approaches, assessment of current facilities and alternatives to new construction, young adult and children's spaces, remote storage, and technology advancement. Adaptable to any size library, Checklist Of Library Building Design Considerations is a ready source of planning and presentational support for Friends Of The Library groups, staff librarians, and library board members seeking public support for library renovations, expansions, and constructions.

”A comprehensive and up-to date bibliography for the whole work features articles from well-known practitioners across the globe. A detailed index is useful ... Through structured questions, [this book] provokes a dialogue with the reader to assist them with their project at hand, while providing links to other sources for detail on standards and specifications."
— Journal of the Australian Library and Information Association

"Sixteen chapters are arranged in checklist style and offer guidance on everything from building, planning, and architecture to site selection, sustainable design, ADA compliance, storage, safety and security, and more ... It will be useful as a supplemental textbook for LIS students as well as a starting point for libraries considering building or renovation."
— Booklist

"This edition remains a useful resource"
— Library Journal

From the Publisher