Building Attributes

BUILDING ATTRIBUTES

A. Types of Spaces

There are seven broad types of public library space:

  • Collection space (including public electronic workstation space)
  • User seating space
  • Staff work space
  • Meeting space
  • Special use space
  • Non-assignable space (including mechanical space)

Careful analysis of the following will allow designers to determine the space needs for the seven general spaces listed above, which are common to public libraries:

  • Identification of the library’s population of users
  • Estimation of the collections provided by the library and the space needed to accommodate those provisions to meet the future needs of its users
  • Estimation of floor space needed to accommodate seating areas
  • Estimation of floor space needed by staff
  • Estimation of floor space needed for meeting rooms
  • Estimation of miscellaneous public- and staff-use space (special use space)
  • Estimation of space needed for entry halls, mechanical rooms, bathrooms, etc. (non-assignable space).

B. Determining the Building’s Attributes

The following steps can be used to determine the library’s general building attributes. The steps below do not assess exterior space needs such as parking and site amenities, which vary widely depending on site selection as determined in the library program.

Step 1: Determine the Service Population

A projection of the needs of the design (service) population for 20 years is the start of the library design process. This design projection will allow the library to serve the future needs of its population of users and allows the designer to determine the space needed for the preceding categories of library spaces.

Population estimates can be gathered from local municipalities, county, or regional planning commissions, or from a state’s Office of Policy and Management. Since most public libraries serve residents of outlying communities, it is important to include the effect that non-resident use will have on library space allotments.

Step 2: Determine Needs for Collection Space

Since the needs of the design population are projected over 20 years, the collection size must also respond to the 20-year projection, i.e., collection space must be projected over a 20-year period. In addition, public libraries should have a “weeding policy” whereby outdated material is omitted from collections. This will allow additional space for future expansion.

Drawing of Burton Barr Phoenix Central Teen Library-Phoenix, AZ. The computers and gallery are located centrally with the fiction, non-fiction, reference, librarian's desk, living room, magazines and cafe positioned aroung them.View enlarged plan
Plan of Burton Barr Phoenix Central Teen Library—Phoenix, AZ by will bruder architects, ltd. (Courtesy of Bill Timmerman)

The number of volumes of books, non-print materials (music CDs, audio books, etc.), and periodicals that are maintained by the library can change from 5 to 25 volumes per square foot depending on shelf height, aisle width, and the kind of material, whether it’s magazines or encyclopedias.

    • Calculate Space Needs for Books
      As a general rule of thumb, to estimate the square footage of book storage space (with aisles at least 36 inches wide) divide the total projected number of volumes by 10. The square footage needed for compact book storage is equal to the total projected collection divided by 25. For example, if the total projected collection over 20 years is 50,000 volumes, 50,000 divided by 10 equals 5,000 square feet needed to house the projected collection.
    • Calculate Space Needs for Non-print Items
      To determine the square footage necessary to store non-print material, divide the total number of non-print items projected over 20 years by 10. For example, if the projected non-print items over 20 years equals 20,000, then 20,000 divided by 10 equals 2,000 square feet of space needed for non-print items over a 20-year period.
Drawing of the floor plan of Des Plaines Public Library-Des Plaines, ILView enlarged plan
Plan of Des Plaines Public Library—Des Plaines, IL by Lohan Associates
(Courtesy of Les Boschke)

Obviously, the recommended size of a library’s collections (including the number of electronic workstations needed—see Step 3), will determine how much floor space is needed for the collections. Some state library agencies or state library associations issue standards that provide guidance in determining the appropriate collection size. Also note the recommendations regarding recommended planning processes for public libraries, issued by the Public Library Association, a division of the American Library Association.

Step 3: Determine Space Needs for Electronic Workstation Space

Work/study desks and tables in the primary library space and in meeting rooms must provide connections for computers and other devices that utilize two-way communication services, such as the Internet.

  • Calculate Space Needs for Public Access Computer Stations (PACs)
    PACs consist of a computer terminal (monitor and hard drive), keyboard, and access to a printer. A PAC station used from a seated position requires at least 40 square feet. A PAC station used from a standing position requires at least 20 square feet. PACs can by placed anywhere in the library. For example, a PAC that can be used by a standing person can be placed near the entry area and can function only to direct users to particular spaces in the library depending on the users’ inputted needs.
  • Calculate Space Needs for Computer Workstations
    As an alternative, or in addition to PACs, libraries can provide electronic workstations equipped with two-way communication system hook-ups to accommodate users with their own computer equipment. A space of 75 square feet can be used as a general average for each computer workstation.
  • Calculate Space Needs for Microfilm or Microfiche Workstations
    A general rule of thumb is 35 square feet for each microfilm or microfiche workstation.

Step 4: Determine Space Need for User Seating

Photo of th computer stations at Burton Barr Phoenix Central Teen Library-Phoenix, AZComputer stations at Burton Barr Phoenix Central Teen Library—Phoenix, AZ by will bruder architects, ltd.
(Courtesy of Bill Timmerman)

In general, public libraries should provide at least 5 seats for every 1,000 users in its service population. As a guide, public libraries that serve no more than 10,000 users should accommodate 7 to 10- seats for every 1,000 users. These guides do not include the seats needed in meeting rooms or staff areas. The number of seats can be adjusted depending on the library. For example, if the library is one that encourages long-term use, i.e., extensive collections of research materials, then the number of seats should be inflated. If the library encourages browsing, i.e., latest magazines or best sellers, the number of seats needed may be less.

  • Calculate Square Footage Needs for User Seating
    The square footage needed for user seating varies depending on the type of seating, i.e., lounge chair, table seating, etc. As a general rule of thumb, for table seating use 25 square feet per seat; for study carrel seating use 30 square feet per seat; and for seating in lounge chairs use 35 square feet per seat. As a general average, designers can use 30 square feet per seat.To determine total square footage necessary for user seating, subtract the number of PAC and electronic workstation seats and meeting and conference room seats (if these rooms are used only for meetings and conferences) from the projected number of total seats. That number multiplied by 30 is the projected square footage needed for user seating.

Step 5: Determine Space Needs for Staff Work Areas

Staff space should include space for computers for online access to outside resources. Staff workloads and the number of library staff at each area where library services are provided, i.e., reference desk, circulation desk, multimedia stations, are important in determining the space needed for staff. Office space for library administrators and staff-only areas (such as staff lounges or staff eating areas) is an important part of staff space.

  • Calculate Space Needs for Staff Work Areas
    On average, the space needed for staff work areas is approximately 150 square feet per work area. Some work areas may be larger than others. For example, check-out areas may require more square footage than help-desk areas. As a general rule of thumb, the square footage allotment for staff work areas equals the number of projected staff areas multiplied by 150.

Step 6: Determine the Space Needs for Meeting Rooms

Photo of the front and circulation desks at Des Plaines Public Library-Des Plaines, ILFront and circulation desks at Des Plaines Public Library—Des Plaines, IL by Lohan Associates
(Courtesy of Les Boschke)

Many public libraries incorporate meeting space for library- and community- sponsored meetings or events. Meeting rooms also serve as staff or library patron training space. Depending on the library’s function as determined in the library program, Internet connections and other two-way communication system outlets may be necessary.

  • Calculate the Space Needs for Meeting Rooms
    There are two types of seating arrangements common in public library meeting rooms: theater seating and conference room seating. For theater, or lecture hall, seating arrangements, the projected square footage needed in the meeting room equals the number of seats multiplied by 10. For conference room seating, the projected square footage needed equals the number of seats multiplied by 25. The square footage needed in meeting rooms targeted for children’s activities will require 10 square feet per seat. Meeting room space does not include other square footage necessary for other peripheral spaces including a kitchen area in or nearby the meeting room and storage areas for audiovisual equipment, chairs, tables, etc.

Step 7: Determine Space Needs for Special-Use Areas

The need for special-use spaces (such as a history or genealogy room, a job center, or a community information area) will vary depending on the function of the library as determined in its written program.

  • Calculate Space Needs for Special-Use Areas
    Some special-use spaces and their required square footage are included in the table below.
Items In Special-Use Areas* Square Footage Required per Item
Atlas Stand 35
Bulletin Board 9
Display Case 50
Index Table 140
Map File 35
Microfilm Cabinet 10
Newspaper Rack 25
Paperback Rack 35
Photocopier 50
Staff Locker 4
Vertical Files 10
*The items listed are for example and are an abbreviated list of items that may be included in the special-use space. Depending on the role of the library as determined in the program, the number of items and the number of special-use areas may vary.

Step 8: Determine Space Needs for Non-Assignable Areas (such as Mechanical Rooms)

Non-assignable spaces are important for the general operation of the library facility but they are not a direct part of the services offered by the library. These spaces include mechanical rooms, bathrooms, entrance halls, corridors, stairs, security rooms, and elevators. These non-assignable spaces make up 20% to 30% of gross floor area of the library.

  • Calculate Space Needs for Non-Assignable Areas
    The square footage needed for non-assignable space equals the total square footage of steps 2 through 7, divided by 4.

MAJOR RESOURCES

WBDG
https://www.wbdg.org/design/public_library.php

One thought on “Building Attributes”

  1. What are your final numbers for our library program in a building between 20,000 and 30,000 Sq. Ft?

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