Checklist of Library Building Design Considerations

by William W. Sannwald

The needs and functions of library buildings have certainly changed over the last decade, but the necessity for planning intelligently and thoroughly hasn't. In fact, tighter budgets and the complex demands of both library users and staff call for careful preparation now more than ever. Whether you're building from the ground up or simply remodeling, the success of your project hinges on planning, coordination, and communication. This new update of Sannwald's classic guide will help you stay prepared and organized for every phase of your undertaking from conception through the dedication ceremony. Using a popular checklist format that ensures no detail is overlooked, this planner covers crucial considerations like Library managers, administrators, and facilities staff will find this book a matchless tool for any construction project regardless of size or complexity.

224 pages, Paperback

First published October 28, 1996

Reviews

[Reeby · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book while working on the project plan for a new library. I found the questions and section headings very helpful, though the actual format of the book was not and I find it hard to believe that many if any people take the time to fill out each question. The layout included a lot of unnecessary blanks and check boxes to fill, as well as sometimes being confusing since not all of the sections that had blanks to fill out had information that actually necessitated an answer of that sort. Throughout the book I also found many duplicate questions, sometimes even in the same section or on the same page. There was quite a lot of repetition and crossover information that I felt could have been edited out or condensed to make the book more concise and user friendly. One thing I really appreciated, though, was how much time was taken to talk about accessibility, since much of that was missing in my other research. Overall, this book had a lot of good information and is an adequate resource for library design and planning.