Planning the Modern Public Library Building

by Gerard B. McCabe, James Kennedy

Overview

This collection of 22 highly informative essays offers important insight into current activities in the area of building planning. Written by recognized building experts from the United States and Australia, the essays discuss critical planning issues from a management perspective.

Topics include space design; collection marketing; furbaniture selection; landscaping; accommodating different age groups; hosting activities and events; seeking support from the community; and more. Technology is given a high priority. A bibliographic essay provides an abundance of suggested titles for further study.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780313321559
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	07/30/2003
Series:	Libraries Unlimited Library Management Collection
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	296
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.69(d)

About the Author

GERARD B. MCCABE is retired Director of Libraries, Clarion University, Pennsylvania.

JAMES R. KENNEDY is University Librarian, Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa.

Table of Contents

Preface
Acknowledgment
Introduction
Part I: The Planning Begins
Chapter 1: Early Planning for a New Library
Chapter 2: Before Sizing Your Building, Reinvent It: Think New Services, Collections, and Equipment
Chapter 3: Greening the Library: An Overview of Sustainable Design
Chapter 4: An Ounce of Prevention: Library Directors and the Designing of Public Libraries
Part II: Rallying Support
Chapter 5: Community Involvement in the Library Construction Process
Chapter 6: Getting to Yes: The Public Library Building Process in Henrico County, Virginia
Part III: Key Issues for Planning
Chapter 7: Retail Technology Applications and Their Role in the Modern Library
Chapter 8: A Guide to Selecting Library Furbaniture
Chapter 9: Landscape Design, Establishment, and Maintenance
Part IV: Joint-Use Libraries
Chapter 10: Joint-Use Libraries: The Ultimate Form of Cooperation
Part V: Services for Children, Young Adults, and Seniors
Chapter 11: Designing Library Space for Children and Adolescents
Chapter 12: Using Teen Patrons as a Resource in Planning Young Adult Library Space in Public Libraries
Chapter 13: Creating a Senior-Friendly Library
Part VI: Technology
Chapter 14: Wireless Networking in the Library: Creating Network Connectivitity Throughout the Library-A Decision-Making Guide for Planners
Chapter 15: Considerations in Planning and Managing Computer Services
Chapter 16: The Importance of Lighting
Chapter 17: New Concepts for Technology in Library Design
Part VII: Notable Buildings
Chapter 18: Pustaka Negeri Sarawak: Sarawak State Library and Multimedia
Chapter 19: Historic Libraries and Their Enduring Value: Brooklyn Public Library Renews Its Historic Buildings
Part VIII: Bibliographic Essay
Chapter 20: Annotated Bibliography: Planning, Designing, and Building Public Libraries

Editorial Reviews

If a new library is in your future, this is one of the books you will want to read as you plan. Building experts from the United States and Australia (both librarians and architects) contributed the 22 essays, whose topics include beginning to plan and key issues in planning, space, and building design; furniture selection; landscaping; services and accommodations for different age groups; rallying support for your library; and technology considerations. There is also an annotated bibliography. In the essay on library design, Valerie Meyer maintains that no one is better qualified than librarians to design a new library especially because of their experience and organizational and customer service skills. She outlines the various sections within the library and what to consider as part of the design. Robert W. Fetzer discusses advantages and disadvantages of ordering stock furniture vs. custom-made. He also covers different woods, how they are cut, their appropriate uses, and how this has an effect on furniture construction. Authors James Flott and Merri A. Hartse consider the importance of landscaping in ecological terms, as a matter of safety and security, and managing the plants after the initial installation. From inside to outdoors, all areas are given consideration. The essays all contain a current and helpful bibliography of other readings on the topic, which readers will find invaluable. Use this excellent resource in conjunction with Lee Brawner's Determining Your Public Library's Future Size: A Needs Assessment and Planning Model; William W. Sannwald's Checklist of Library Building Design Considerations, 4th ed.; Nolan Lushington's The Design and Evaluation of Public Library Buildings; and Anders C. Dahlgren's Public Library Space Needs. Recommended for public librarians.-Marie Bruni, Huntington Memorial Lib., Oneonta, NY Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.

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