All sections in the fourth edition have been revised, including an extensive revision of the children's and technology sections. Thanks go to the following people who helped me in preparing the fourth edition of the checklist.
Determining Space Needs
This standard has never been repealed and is the only standard that recommends. quantitative measures for the size of public libraries). Has ALA's Information Power: Guidelines for School Library Media Programs, Appendix C, "Library Media Facilities Guidelines," been consulted.
Joint Use Considerations
Alternatives to New Construction
Selecting a Library Building Consultant
Does the consultant have the organizational and record keeping skills necessary to document and respond to key issues. Will the consultant give advice on the choice of the architect and other members of the building's.
Choosing an Architect
Does the architect have the political skills necessary to listen to and respond to the concerns of all outside and. Is the architect able to explain the reasons for a point of view and convince others of its importance?
Choosing a Contractor
Architectural Design
Has designed the character and power to .. make the library building a focal point for its community. Markets the designed library products and services by incorporating applied design features.
Sustainable Design
Is the building designed to make the best use of passive and natural heat sources. Whether the project is designed to reduce the need for private cars, use alternative fuels and promote public and alternative modes of transport such as cycling.
2 Library Site
Selection
- General Conditions
- Location
- Accessibility
- Size
- Environmental Issues
Will the use of the site for a library have any .. negative impact on the surrounding areas?. Is the location in an area frequented by members of the community for daily activities such as.
3 Exterior General
Considerations
- Landscaping
- Parking
- Building Exterior
- Roof
- Bicycle Racks
- Flagpole
- Exterior Signage
- Delivery
- Book Returns
If the library has an employee recognition program, there is a designated parking space for “employee of. Is the loading dock located away from the primary work and public areas so that noise and fumes do.
4 Organization Interior of Library
Buildings
Entrance
Is a floor covering or system provided near the entrance that provides for the removal of debris from users' shoes as well. Are furniture and equipment used to promote, sell and display certain parts of the book.
Circulation Desk Facilities
Is the top of the desk covered with a material that will not be damaged by heavy materials and equipment. Is the circulation desk designed to accommodate changes in the location and size of electrical equipment-.
YES NO N/A 4. Is the reference desk located where staff .. can identify customers by sight that are hard to find. Is there a terminal at the reference desk that can perform circulation functions as well as database? search functions?.
Children’s Facilities
Are there small alcoves surrounded by low shelves, supervised by staff but accessible to children, where children can choose a book or game. If children's and adult's circular counters are separate, is the lower counter intended for children?
Young Adult Facilities
Are the shelves and fixtures used to store young adult material similar to those in music. Is there a space that reflects the pride and activities of young adults, including notice boards with lists of teenagers.
Multimedia Facilities
Is there safe and enough space to store teen stuff like skateboards and backpacks? Does the space allow for a variety of comfortable seating options, including traditional chairs, designed chairs. to recline without tipping over, sofas and chairs on the floor?. Is there sufficient acoustic treatment to prevent external sound sources from interfering with listening? to the media?.
Special Collections/Rare Books/Archives
Are reading tables generously sized individual desks with task lighting, power for typewriters and/or laptop computers, and desk lecterns for holding. Are microfilm reading machines and other equipment available to "read" all types of media and mate-. rials placed in the room. Is the area monitored for insects, rodents and other biological pests that may attack the collection.
Literacy Center
- Meeting and Seminar Rooms
There is a small conference room that can serve as a functional office as well as a place for informal. Are there provisions for a locked passage from the kitchen to the meeting room for food and . beverage service?. Are there lockable storage areas near the meeting rooms for audiovisual equipment and/or furniture such as
Convenience Facilities
Library Store
Displays
Is there a clear modular system of shelving and displays for distribution of community notices and giveaways. Are the shelves and displays for distributing materials flexible enough to handle a variety of sizes and shapes.
Interior Signage
Are the exterior monument signs identifying the library positioned so that they are easy to read as you approach the library. Are there signs on doors and at the entrances of departments to identify the function or service within. Are there easily replaceable signs on the end panels of stacks to identify which books are on the shelf.
Workroom/Offices
Is there enough space for equipment such as personal computers, terminals, word processors, television/video recorder. Is there a lockable storage unit or space to secure valuable equipment such as CD players, slide projectors, etc? Is there a personal computer in the manager's office for typing evaluations and other confidential typing.
Staff Lounge
Is the staff lounge acoustically treated to eliminate the transfer of sound to and from adjacent public and.
Friends of the Library
Is the staff lounge acoustically treated to reduce the transmission of sound to and from adjacent public and . staff areas?. Is the cash from the Friends' sales kept in a separate place so as not to be confused with the daily cash. Have the Friends some space in the staff lounge to hang their coats and cupboards or some other safe place.
Interior Storage
Remote Storage Facilities
Is the location of stored material linked to the. If stored materials are not linked to the library's catalog, there is an inventory control system used at the storage facility for easy tracking and retrieval.
Parking, Curb Cuts, and Ramps
5 Accessibility Compliance with ADA Guidelines
Entrances
If there are two doors in a series and the doors open in the same direction (eg both push), there is 48 inches of clear floor space from the first opened door to the. If there are two doors in a series and the doors open in opposite directions (one pulls, the second pushes), there is 48 inches of clearance between the doors.
Accessible Routes within the Building
Interior Doors
Is the operating system hardware of fully opened sliding doors exposed and usable from both sides of.
Surfaces
If the level change is greater than 0.5 inches (in which case it should be considered a ramp), it complies.
Lifts and Elevators
Is there a clear and distinct contrast between the floor .. and walls to help the visually impaired?. Do they provide clear floor space 54 inches by .. 68 inches to allow wheelchair users to maneuver?.
Drinking Fountains
Flows water at least 4 inches above the spout so a cup or glass can be placed underneath. Can the controls be operated with one hand and do they work without an uncomfortable grip. If the accessible water feature is wall or pole mounted and has knee space, the space is at least 27 inches high.
Rest Rooms—General
- Rest Rooms with Stalls
Are other accessories in the rest room (soap dispensers, towels, automatic dryers, sanitary napkins, garbage containers, etc.) located in such a way that the controls or dis-. Stalls are at least 56 inches long for a wall-mounted toilet, and 59 inches long for a floor. Is the toilet paper holder located within easy reach of the toilet and at least 19 inches off the floor?
Rest Rooms—Single Rooms
They are grab bars between 1.25 and 1.5 inches in diameter, with a 1.5 inch gap between the wall and. Is there a grab bar on the wall closest to the toilet, 40 inches in length, 33 to 36 inches from the floor,.
Rest Rooms—Unisex
Alarms
Does the facility have an audible alarm that sounds at 15 dBa (decibels above reference noise, adjusted).
Signage
Are all signs designating permanent rooms and spaces in the building compliant with ADA Accessibility. Have all signs required to comply with ADAAG have a width-to-height ratio of Have the individual letters and numbers on the signs required to comply with the ADAAG have a dash.
Controls and Operating Mechanisms
Telephones
If an acoustic coupler is used, is the phone cord long enough to connect the text phone and the phone.
Card Catalogs and Magazine Displays
Book Stacks
Reading, Study, Bibliographic, and Service Areas
Meeting Rooms
If the meeting room has flexible seating, are the tables used for wheelchairs accessible with knee room 27 inches high, 20 inches wide, and 19 inches deep. Is there an auxiliary eavesdropping system available in the meeting room to enhance the standard public address and. If the meeting room has fixed seating, is the assistive listening system installed at a distance of 50 feet.
Building Facilities
Does the signage include the International Symbol of Access for the Hearing Impaired to notify customers? Does the Rescue Assistance Area provide at least 2 30 by 48 inch accessible wheelchair spaces that do.
General Considerations
6 Electrical, and Miscellaneous
Equipment
- Telecommunications Entrances and Closets
- Horizontal Pathways
- Cabling and Outlets
- Electrical Power
- Workstation Equipment
- Telephone System
- Miscellaneous Electrical Equipment
- Service Desks
Is there an equipment room (essentially a large telecommunications closet) that houses the main distribution frame, PBX, secondary surge protection, etc. Is there a single or double (36 inches x 80 inches). locked doors to restrict access to the room. Are there convenient duplex outlets located at 6 feet. intervals around the perimeter of the room.
7 Design and Interior
Finishes
- Seating
- Tables
- Lighting
- Windows
- Flooring
- Walls
- Color
- Equipment List
- Conventional Stationary Stacks and Shelving
In addition to general and task lighting, certain areas of the library have special lighting. Emergency call buttons at service desks and work- .. a) Are they top quality with solid joints and pivots. Is sufficient shelving planned to meet the current and future needs of the library.
Movable-Aisle Compact Shelving
Automatic Retrieval Systems
HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) System
Building Systems
- Lighting
- Noise
- Plumbing and Rest Rooms
- Elevators and Escalators
- General
If the building has large windows or skylights, is there a possibility to maintain the temperature through the window. Are there emergency backup generators that can be used if the power and air conditioning goes out. Does the design of rest areas accommodate one- . third more toilets for women than for men?.
Security
- External Security
- Internal Security
- Fire Safety
- Graffiti
Access to roofs, upper windows and ledges can be achieved by climbing trees, fences, buildings.
Property
- Building Materials
- Custodial Facilities
- Groundskeeper Facilities
- Trash Enclosures
- Moving
Can the move to the new space be planned during the period when demand for library services is lowest?
12 Occupancy and Building Post-Occupancy
Evaluation
Getting Ready for Occupancy
Post-Occupancy Evaluation
During the shakedown period (usually a one-year warranty period after the building is accepted by the owner), defects and/or deficiencies in the new building were brought to the attention of the architect.
Planning
Event Checklist
The Americans with Disabilities Act and Its Effect on Public Libraries.” Public Libraries (January/February. Association for Library Administration and Management. Library Buildings, Equipment, and the ADA: Compliance Issues and Solutions. Libraries for the Future: Planning Buildings That Work: Proceedings of the Library Buildings Preconference, June Atlanta, Georgia.
