STATE OF DELAWARE DIVISION OF LIBRARIES Statewide Master Plan for Library Services and Construction 2018 BOOK 2 IDEAS BOOK TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION 17 SPACE PLANNING 3 COLOR 19 MERCHANDISING 5 LIGHTING 21 VISUAL & ACOUSTIC PRIVACY 7 FURNITURE 22 ACCESS TO POWER 9 FINISHES - FLOORS 23 UNCLUTTER 11 FINISHES - WALLS 25 CURB APPEAL 13 FINISHES - WINDOWS 26 STAFF AREAS 14 FINISHES - COLUMNS 27 ACCESSORIES 15 SIGNAGE & WAYFINDING 29 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS INTRODUCTION BEFORE Bear Public Library in New Castle County, Delaware contracted Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture to help them renovate and re-design their space. A few of the problems addressed included clutter, flooring, furniture, paint, signage & wayfinding, merchandising, and more. AFTER Through the use of colorful paint, patterned carpet tiles, collaborative furniture, and more, Bear Public Library was transformed into a lively and inviting community hotspot. State of Delaware Division of Libraries Idea Book 1 Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture © In 2017, the Delaware Division of Libraries (DDL) conducted a Statewide Library Master Plan to update the last statewide plan completed over ten years ago. The intent of the updated Master Plan was to review the progress since the last study, consider ways to make improvements moving forward and develop a step-by-step process for making those next steps. A substantial part of the master plan is to assure open, accessible, up-to-date Library facilities in all parts of the state. As part of the process, the DDL wanted to make sure there was a way to offer suggestions and improvements at all Delaware Library locations no matter the size, budget or likelihood of improved or new facilities. The DDL Leadership requested a simple, straight-forward recommendation book to help libraries make physical improvements in each of their communities whether they had a budget or not. As a result of those discussions, came the creation of this IDEA BOOK. The IDEA BOOK is intended to provide a list of things to think about just like a “DIYer” guide at your home. They include ideas as simple as getting rid of clutter and painting an important wall a special color. All of the recommendations in the IDEA BOOK can be implemented using a libraries Maintenance Budget or modest fundraising and are not intended to require capital funding. Many are recommendations that can be implemented by volunteers, community non-profit organizations or your local Friends of the Library group. The underlaying goal for the IDEA BOOK is that each staff member of every Delaware Library walk into their library as though it was the first time to ever visit. Take a note pad and write-down what you see. Think about your experience like a new library patron and ask yourself what improvements could be made. Ask yourself: + Can I easily find a person to assist me? + Can I easily find the genre I am looking for without assistance? + Can I easily understand the services and program that are offered at this library? + Can I find a comfortable seat with an electrical outlet for my devices? Write down the areas of concern and discuss it with your colleagues. What did they see? Then flip through this IDEA BOOK to see if you see options for how to address these challenges. Can you find a group, individual or Library group to help implement these improvements? Most importantly, have fun as you dream about your improvements and organize a way for the community to help with implementation. Make these improvements a community event! State of Delaware Division of Libraries Idea Book Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture © 2 COLOR Adding even a small amount of color to your library can make a huge difference. A common misconception is that books provide PAINT enough color in a library. This is rarely the case as books are Do not under- arranged non-descriminately in terms of the colors and patterns of estimate the benefits their covers and spines. Therefore, the eye sees them as a single of paint. Even just gray-ish visual entity which is pushed to the background of more painting one wall in expansive colors like white shelves. your library a color can dramatically improve your Bright, or saturated, colors are great for library’s aesthetics. attracting attention and drawing people to specific spaces, particularly in children’s FURNITURE areas. Either by purchasing new furniture or However, you may feel utilizing what you that saturated colors do have, your most not fit with your libray’s colorful pieces will aesthetics. In this case, you draw patrons to a may instead opt for the “Historic particular location. Colors” offered by most paint companies. ART SHOW IT OFF Whether rich oil Use color as a way to draw users to specific points in your paintings or kids’ library. If you want patrons to travel to the back of the doodles, art can library, paint the wall farthest from the entry a bold color. To add vibrant colors encourage socialization, make sure collaborative furniture is to a space and a colorful feature. To highlight new items, under-appreciated reinforce the library- genres, or fundraising methods, draw people in with community bond. distinguishable color. State of Delaware Division of Libraries Idea Book 3 Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture © BOLD TYPE Big letters can make a big impact. Using GREENERY Plants add one craft store wood letters, painting of nature’s most directly on the wall with stencils, beautiful colors or printing and cutting-out to your space. words can define spaces, Living greenery guide behavior, and can also improve add color to your the air quality, and thus library. the user health, in a space. However, fake plants should always be avoided as they gather dust and look tired quickly. MURALS Commission a local artist or even a high school or college art club to create murals in SPRAY PAINT your library. These works For only the cost of a can of spray of art can add color to your paint many of your old, tired, or space while also reflecting just too neutral furniture items can any subject matter of your become bold and beautiful statement choosing. You may even pieces. Visit this website for tutorials consider creating an annual on how to re-paint your existing competition for the same wall. furniture: www.krylon.com/how-to State of Delaware Division of Libraries Idea Book Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture © 4 LIGHTING Because reading is one of the most important tasks in a library, proper lighting is critical. Lighting comes in many forms which each respond to different tasks and behavioral concerns. In order to achieve a truly well-lit space, ambient lighting, task lighting, and accent lighting should be layered strategically throughout your library. This allows a library to be multi-functional, flexible, and adapt to changes. The main goal for library lighting should be reducing glare as much as possible. Consider using LED light bulbs in all fixtures to cut down on electric costs, reduce glare, and better control light temperature. PERIMETER LIGHTING Because merchandising, signage, bookshelves, and other popular items tend to congregate around library perimeters, it is vital that these areas be extremely well- lit. Illuminated perimeters also increase the feeling of brightness throughout the entire space by defining the perimeter of the space. State of Delaware Division of Libraries Idea Book 5 Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture © AMBIENT LIGHTING STACK LIGHTING Ambient light provides general The two main objectives of stack lighting are illumination throughout a space. It is 1) helping patrons find books easily and 2) important that this type of lighting radiates preventing staff from feeling visual discomfort a comfortable level of brightness without after long hours spent re-shelving collections. glare. This type of lighting should be Rather than trying to achieve a high lighting level at a specific point, it is most important ceiling lighting and should be the most that even illumination is spread across the prevalent in your library. entire stack from top to bottom. TASK LIGHTING DAYLIGHTING Task lighting at the worksurface helps library Utilizing daylight in your library patrons and staff to perform specific tasks. can improve occupant comfort and Although the most vital task to provide lighting productivity, as well as reduce energy for in your library is reading, other tasks consumption. However, uncontrolled include using the computer, writing, and doing daylight can cause glare and damage homework. It is important that this type of sensitive materials. lighting be without glare, shadow-less, and bright enough to prevent eye strain. ACCENT LIGHTING TABLE & FLOOR LAMPS The main goal of accent lighting is to create These fixtures come in a wide variety of visual interest and improve the aesthetics shapes, sizes, and styles, which make of a space. Whether the intent is to draw them extremely versatile assets in a patrons’ eyes to artwork, highlight texture, library setting. Most lamps direct light or emphasize a book display, accent lighting down and are therefore often used as task can significantly define a space. Accent lights for reading or working. lighting must be three times brighter than the surrounding space. State of Delaware Division of Libraries Idea Book Holzman Moss Bottino Architecture © 6 FURNITURE Improving the furniture in your space can either be one of the least or the most expensive improvements TABLES to your library. Either economic approach is + Laptop Tables: Should be easy to pull up relatively easy and can be divided into phases as next to lounge furniture and high enough time and money become available. to fit over someone’s lap. + High-Top Tables: Provide patrons the The first step in approaching furniture is opportunity to stand while reading/ understanding the pieces you already have and working.