NATIONAL UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF ARCHITECTURE
RESEARCH NO. 1: LIBRARY

NAME: CRUZ, NEAL JUSTINE A.

SUBJECT: ADESGN2

SECTION: ARC 152

PROFESSOR: ARCH. C.T. CRUZ

DATE: JANUARY 2016

Library -
a place set apart to contain books, periodicals, and other material forreading, viewing, listening, 
study, or reference, as a room, set ofrooms, or building where books may be read or borrowed.

Types:

Types:

• Community: primarily lending books to adults and children, and with a general reference
section. Current trend is towards larger central libraries with branch satellites; rural areas are
often served by mobile units.
• Specialized: primarily used for reference, with small loan section.
• University: used for reference and research; collections continually growing.

There are many other types of specialized library, which are not covered here - for example, in
hospitals, prisons, schools, learned associations.

Facilities/ Functional Components:

Older teenage section: An area for this group is desirable (fiction and non-fiction) and should
be located between the children’s library and main lending library (literature and humanities
sections).

Children’s library: Occupying approximately 300 m², with roughly 12000 volumes for ages up to
14 and their careers, this area should have its own identity, and demonstrate to all children that
visiting the library is a safe and enjoyable experience. There must be good visibility to maximize
child security and safety; it should also be difficult for children to wander out of this area. There
should be a sequence of information books for all ages and sections for:
• Pre-school (there should be ‘kinderboxes’, shelves with picture books, novelty cushions, child
chairs)
• Early school years (easy-reader books, with appropriate shelves and browser units)
• Primary school years (stories, with appropriate shelves and browser units)
• Young teenage (novels, with appropriate shelves and browser units).
Spoken-word cassettes and other media should also be available. In addition, provide ten study
places, eight browsing seats and an enquiry desk for two staff.

Children‘s activities room: A room for up to 35 children may be required for a variety of
activities (63m²).

Exhibition area: Easily accessible from the main entrance, but with a distinct identity and with
suitable security, an area for exhibitions is desirable (40m²).
Lavatories: The requirement for customers is 38m² and also 15m² for the children’s library,
which should include a nappy changing room. Depending on the overall plan, one or two sets of
staff lavatories will be required (each of 32m²)

Meeting rooms: Includes one room for 100 people (200m2 in total), with divider to separate
the room in a proportion of 60:40. Chair storage and simple catering facilities are also required.
A small room for about six people is also required. Access may be required when other parts of
the library are shut; good access from entrance(s) is therefore required.

Special collection library: This area may be required in larger or specialized libraries. An
adjoining librarian’s office is necessary.

Refreshments/coffee bar: For 50 customers maximum, providing drinks, snacks and light meals
(105m²).

Sales point: An area to promote sales is required (this may be no more than a display case): the
strategic location is important, but it may be combined with another area (13m²).

Study desks: These should be suitable for use with personal computers (which may be the
customer’s own machine, necessitating simple plug-in compatibility). The integration of PCs
with study furniture is very important. Two power sockets are also required.

Art in architecture: Libraries are often considered excellent places in which to display local (or
national) art, either in the form of permanent murals or sculpture, designed as an integral part
of the building, or in facilities for temporary exhibitions.

Subject departments:
Organization of a library into subject departments has always been a consideration; a possible
arrangement of a central library could typically be as follows:

A.) Business: At 184m², this department contains 2100 volumes covering all aspects of business
information (local, national and international). Customers will include: those hoping to set up
their own business, those undertaking research to develop their existing business, and
students. Some queries may come via fax or phone. Computerized information resources will
probably be more prevalent here than in other departments. Includes 40 study places and an
enquiry point for two staff.

B.) Community: With 9000 volumes (300m²), this holds social sciences and all quick-reference
works
(e.g. directories, yearbooks, timetables, etc.). Includes 30 study places and an enquiry desk for
three staff. Customers will be coming for both quick fact-finding and for longer-term study: any
potential conflict therefore needs to be resolved.
C.) Humanities: Department for arts, recreational pursuits (e.g. gardening), religion, music
(books and scores), sound recordings (music cassettes and compact discs), and videos for hire.
With 495m²,
22 000 volumes, 9000 recordings (including videos), and 10500 sheet music. Includes 12 study
spaces, four browsing seats and an enquiry desk for three staff.
Note that there is a noise problem with customers browsing through music cases, which can be
distracting in the study areas.

D.) Literature and language: Department for adult fiction (9000 volumes), large-print fiction,
spoken word cassettes, multi-media, drama (9000 volumes), single copies and playsets (286
m²), covering English and foreign languages. Includes 12 study spaces, four browsing seats and
an enquiry desk for two staff.

E.) Local studies/history 3000: volumes on public shelves (230m²); 50 study places; enquiry
desk for three staff. This area will be used by short-term browsers (e.g. tourists) and for long-
term study (students and researchers). It will also be used by those wanting information about
local statutory agencies, and those looking for a quiet study area. Environmental conditions for
this area must be designed in accordance with BS 5454: 1989.

F.) People and places: For information books on travel (guides and travel/adventure),
biographies, and human geography. 15000 volumes (240m²); 15 study places; four browsing
places; enquiry desk for two staff.

G.)Science and technology Area with 11000 volumes (200m²), covering computing and pure
and applied sciences: 20 study places; no browsing seats; enquiry desk for two staff.

Customer services/reception: An informal and welcoming atmosphere is required, as this is the

first major point of contact for new customers and where existing customers can resolve
queries (e.g. about availability and overdue books); space is required for three staff (51m²). The
area should allow for satisfactory queuing arrangements. The general layout requirements are
for: a professional, inviting and efficient reception area; clear layout and instructions for
customers; maximum flexibility in staff resources; suitable supervision of customers; and
suitable staff security.
Entry/access areas: One main entrance and two others are required, preferably separate:

A.)Main entrance foyer/lobby: (190m²) should be clear and inviting, and be sufficiently
spacious to cater both for visitors who have a specific destination and those who may wish to
wander around.

B.)Public out-of-hours entrance: must provide a short and secure access route from the street
to the meeting rooms etc. It could be combined with the main entrance, but a lift solely for out
of hours use is not acceptable.

C.) Staff/service entrance: to be a safe and secure area, particularly for staff leaving after dark.

In-counters: (51m²) There will be one central counter for the whole building, after which
customers will either move to other departments, move to customer reception, or leave. Peak
hourly levels of customers are approximately 250-300, with a peak hourly level of returns of
approximately 1000 items. Space is required for three staff plus computer terminals for
customers. The layout must allow for clear and direct flows.

Out-counters: (38m²) all items issued or renewed will be from the out-counter and there may
be more than one, depending on overall layout. Note that some customers may wish to return
to other areas of the library (e.g. the coffee bar) after visiting the outcounter. Peak levels are as
for the in-counter. Space is required for two staff plus computer terminals for customers. The
layout must allow for clear and direct flows: in particular, customers not wishing to borrow
items must be able to avoid becoming involved with this area.

Library returns bin: This is required in the entrance area for returns during times when the
library is closed. It must be a secure unit.

Self-issue terminals: The space required is 3 m²/terminal and at least three terminals are
required at various points in the library.

Smartcards: The inclusion of a ‘smartcard’ system is increasingly likely, to allow customers to

pay for services (e.g. photocopying, overdue charges, borrowing videos, etc.). The machines will
be located throughout the library.

Admin and staff accommodation: In addition to a general admin office space of roughly 53 m²,
provision will also include the following.

Enquiry desks: These should ideally be located so that they can service more than one
department at quiet times or during staff shortages.
Librarian’s office (20m²) the base for the manager in charge of the whole building, the room
must be close to the administrative support and interview rooms. Apart from everyday
managerial tasks, the room will be used for small discussions with up to two people and project
work.

Library manager‘s office: (13m²) This includes one office for two assistants, shared desk, and
also room for small meetings of one to three people. Privacy is necessary, although easy
access/overview is required for counters and customer services. The office should be located
near the branch library.

Delivery area: (16m²) There will be a daily ‘in’ delivery of boxes containing: books from this
library, but returned to other libraries; books requested from other libraries; and new books.
The ‘out’ delivery will be of books sorted in the sorting office, and books requested by other
libraries. This area will also act as a short-term reception and dispatch area for other
equipment, furniture, exhibition equipment, etc., and sufficient space should be allowed for
this.

Interview room: (14m²) To be used by all staff for private meetings, appraisal interviews,
meeting the public and recruitment interviews, the room must accommodate up to four people
and ensure confidentiality is maintained.

Local studies reserve stack: (150m²) Most local studies stock will be reference only, in closed-
access storage areas, obtained by staff on customer request: access systems therefore need to
be quick and simple. A local studies workroom (38m²) will usually be required adjacent to the
local studies area.

Reserve stacks: (155m²) certain sections of stock will be housed in closed-access rolling stack
storage, including: seasonal overflow (fewer items are borrowed during the summer and over
Christmas); reference stock; music sets; playsets. The weight of rolling stack storage is
substantial and will need to be taken into account in structural calculations.

Secure area for exhibits: A secure storage area is required, with easy access to both the
delivery area and the exhibition area.

Security control room: (17m²) this acts as the base for control attendants, and for the closed
circuit TV system.

Sorting office: (63m²) required for sorting all returns. The main divisions are: for return (by
trolley) to the various departments; for return to other libraries; for special requests (e.g.
customer reservations); and for particular processes (e.g. book repair). Wall shelving for 1000
items is required for temporary storage during peak flows or staff shortages. This area also acts
as a supervisory area for the counters and the customer reception, allowing the easy allocation
of additional staff when necessary and for general troubleshooting duties.
Staff room (115m²) with a total staff of approximately 50, the staff room should accommodate
seating for 30 and also be suitable for relaxation, social gatherings and informal meetings.
During special events, staff will work outside normal working hours so there should be an
adjacent kitchen area suitable for making light meals and drinks; a dishwasher may be
desirable. Staff lockers (25m²) are ideally located in a separate room and storage for wet
clothing is also required.

Stock workroom: (127m²) For four to five staff, its functions are: processing books from the
delivery area; repairing stock; binding requirements; stock exchanges; inter-library loans for
music sets. Wall shelving is required for approximately 2000 books.

Subject staff workroom: (152m²) required for processing complex enquiries and selecting new
stock, these rooms are needed in humanities, literature and science libraries; for six librarians
and support staff (maximum). Wall shelving will be required.

System room: (38m²) needed to house computer equipment for library circulation and other
information systems.

Training room: (58m²) required for meetings and training sessions, facilities must be suitable
for current technology and equipment.

Other areas
• Sick room (10m²)
• Stationery store (25m²)
• General stores (four; approximately 100m² in total)
• Cleaners’ room/store (29m²)
• WCs; shower if possible.
Furnitures, Fixtures & Equipments:
Prototypical Plans:
Design Considerations for Libraries:

Design for Accessibility

Libraries are inclusive by nature there are also different types of libraries. Thus, the facility
should be accessible to all users, including those with disabilities.

Internet Connectivity

The facility should be outfitted with Wi-Fi access and plenty of terminals. Many people rely on
libraries and sometimes, there are things that we can’t find in books so instead, we use the
internet. The structure should also include additional power outlets throughout the facility so
people can charge their own laptops and devices.

Organization, Shelving and Furniture

Optimizing limited real estate is one of the primary challenges libraries face. Finding the right
balance between on-site storage and wide-open spaces can be difficult. Sometimes there are
compelling reasons to keep every title on the floor. Movable, modular cabinets can help
economize limited real estate in these circumstances. Other times, you may be better off using
basement or off-site storage. With this approach, you’ll need to provide searchable access via
Internet or Intranet so patrons can retrieve titles remotely. Whichever strategy you adopt,
remember that collections generally grow with time. Plus, future expansions may eventually
require investing in modular cabinets or diverting more resources to off-site storage facilities.

Compartmentalization

Although the majority of users will use common rooms for reading and studying, you may want
to designate certain sections as quiet spaces. This segmentation benefits everyone. Quiet areas,
for example, diminish unnecessary disruptions from workshops and general traffic.

Comfort and Aesthetics

There's a general misconception that library use is on the decline nationwide. Mostly as a result
of increased Internet use, e-books and mobile devices. However, this notion is largely
unfounded. The library’s role has evolved with time. It is increasingly more of a social center
than a reference resource.

In effect, the library is a multipurpose facility that for some people serves as an extension of the
dorm room or coffee shop. This is especially true for people who might lack access to
computers or Internet at home. As such, a library should provide a welcoming environment that
offers Internet access, optional food or drink, and close proximity to public transportation or
convenient facilities for parking cars and locking bikes.
Arguably, though, the most important criterion is comfort i.e. warm lighting, plush seating and
clean environments.

References:

• http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/library?s=t
•http://www.schoolconstructionnews.com/articles/2015/07/7/important-considerations-in-
library-design
• Architect’s Handbook