AC Final June23

Public Library Branch Design: 

Public Library Branch Design The Public Speaks! Ann Curry | Denise Dunbar | Ellen George | Diana Marshall School of Library, Archival and Information Studies | The University of British Columbia Presented at the Canadian Library Association Annual Conference Victoria, British Columbia, Friday June 18th, 2004

Introduction: 

Introduction

The Public Speaks!: 

The Public Speaks! Welcome! Public Library Design History Study Methodology Branch Tours McGill Strawberry Hill Champlain Heights Maple Ridge Summary of the Overall Findings Wrap up & Thanks yous Question Period

Public Library Design History: 

Public Library Design History

A Peek at the Past: 

A Peek at the Past Bodleian Library, Oxford, 1700s

A Peek at the Past: 

A Peek at the Past Bodleian Library, Oxford

A Peek at the Past: 

A Peek at the Past Carnegie Style

A Peek at the Past: 

A Peek at the Past Carnegie Style

A Peek at the Past: 

A Peek at the Past

Methodology: 

Methodology

Why Do a Study?: 

Why Do a Study? No consensus Librarians or architects What does the public want? No formal research on public opinions Personal motivation Four librarians Public library experience Strong interest in design and architecture

Library Design Features: 

Library Design Features Space for research Shelf design and layout

Library Design Features: 

Library Design Features Washrooms Book returns

Library Design Features: 

Library Design Features Spaces for children in the library Use of colour

Library Design Features: 

Library Design Features Library furniture Lighting

Library Design Features: 

Library Design Features Computer space

Library Design Features: 

Library Design Features Windows and natural lighting Information desks

Getting Started…: 

Getting Started… The process… UBC Ethics Review Board Decisions Who and how to survey Selecting branches Consent for participation

Four New Lower Mainland Libraries: 

Four New Lower Mainland Libraries 2000 Strawberry Hill 2001 McGill 2001 Champlain Heights Maple Ridge 2001

Designing the Survey: 

Designing the Survey Five point scale Simple wording 5-10 minutes to complete Room for comments

Conducting the Survey: 

Conducting the Survey Four Saturdays in Spring 2003 Approached every patron who entered in 4-hour period Collected over 500 surveys in total from 4 branches Challenges and rewards of this survey technique

The Survey Results…: 

The Survey Results… Entered all data into a database Analyzed data, created visual charts Wrote report for branches Presenting the results

McGill Library: 

McGill Library Address: 4595 Albert Street Burnaby, B.C.

McGill Branch: 

McGill Branch Burnaby Public Library System Largest of 3 branches Opened 2001 20,000 square feet Circulation 80,000 / month Architect - James Cheng

McGill Branch 2003: 

McGill Branch 2003

McGill: Highest Rating: 

McGill: Highest Rating The Windows & Natural Light

McGill: Highest Rating: 

McGill: Highest Rating

McGill: High Rating: 

McGill: High Rating Setting and View “I love the connection to the outdoors and the light. I have seen lovely libraries in Arizona and the U.K., but this library is among my favorites.”

McGill: High Rating: 

McGill: High Rating Natural Wood & High Ceilings

McGill: Average Rating: 

McGill: Average Rating Entrance “Open and inviting.” “Not very inviting. On my first visit, I didn’t know where the entrance was.”

McGill: Average Rating: 

McGill: Average Rating Outside Book Drop & Inside Book Return Area

McGill: Average Rating: 

McGill: Average Rating Children’s Area “OK, but needs more room”

McGill: Staff & Customers Liked: 

McGill: Staff & Customers Liked Combined Children’s / Adult Reference Desk

McGill: Staff & Customers Concerned: 

McGill: Staff & Customers Concerned “Insufficient parking sometimes.” “Security problems with parking underneath” About Parking …

McGill: What People Liked Most: 

McGill: What People Liked Most Good Natural light

Strawberry Hill Library: 

Strawberry Hill Library Address: 7399 – 122nd St. Surrey, B.C.

Strawberry Hill: 

Strawberry Hill Surrey Public Library System 9 branches Opened in Spring 2000

Strawberry Hill: 

Strawberry Hill 11,000 sq. ft. 1300 visitors / day 50,000 volumes Multilingual collections Circulation 40,500 / month

Strawberry Hill: 

Strawberry Hill B. James Wensley Architect Ltd. Interior design: Meridian West Design Consultants

Strawberry Hill: Windows: 

Strawberry Hill: Windows “I like all the windows – they bring the outside in and make the library feel bigger and more open.”

Strawberry Hill: Lights: 

Strawberry Hill: Lights Lighting Consultants: Richard Walker Engineering Inc. “Cool lights (on curved tracks)” “Modern & calming”

Strawberry Hill: Entrance: 

Strawberry Hill: Entrance “Entry way – clean & inviting” “Front entrance. Well laid out and very bright. Nice colour, lots of tile.” “Black wall in foyer because it’s unique & pretty”

Strawberry Hill: Parking: 

Strawberry Hill: Parking “Easy to park but under power lines” “Always lots of parking available” “Not enough space for public parking”

Strawberry Hill: Brick Posts: 

Strawberry Hill: Brick Posts “Brick support posts in the way, hinder traffic flow” “The pillar is annoying”

Strawberry Hill: Tables, Seating, Study Areas: 

Strawberry Hill: Tables, Seating, Study Areas “Not enough reading and study areas”

Strawberry Hill: Children’s Area: 

Strawberry Hill: Children’s Area “Not large enough” “Lovely”

Strawberry Hill: Computer Areas: 

Strawberry Hill: Computer Areas “I get a sense though, that the computers are more important than the books” “A bit cramped”

Strawberry Hill: Summary: 

Strawberry Hill: Summary Customers want… Quiet areas More of a good thing Shelves Seating Study areas Computer areas Larger libraries

Champlain Heights Library: 

Champlain Heights Library Address: 7110 – Kerr St. Vancouver, B.C.

Champlain Heights: 

Champlain Heights One of 21 branches in Vancouver Opened in 2001 Architect firm: Hewitt & Kwasnicky Located in a neighbourhood shopping mall

Champlain Heights: 

Champlain Heights 8,000+ square feet 1000 visitors per day 35,000 circs per month 60,000 volumes in collection

Champlain: Service Points: 

Champlain: Service Points “Clearly visible” “The check-out line can block access to the rest of the library”

Champlain: Creative Solutions: 

Champlain: Creative Solutions Design problem: Entrance creates congestion by checkout desk A simple solution: red carpet square marks where to line ups

Champlain: Windows & Natural Light: 

Champlain: Windows & Natural Light “Inviting, feels like home” “Would prefer to have more light as library faces north…”

Champlain: Study Areas: 

Champlain: Study Areas “Nice long tables …can spread out books” “Need more tables”

Champlain: Location & Parking: 

Champlain: Location & Parking “The library is too hidden; it needs MAJOR signage in the parking area…” “Lots of space but often crowded/ congested” “During weekend it’s so difficult to find a space”

Champlain: Location & Entrance: 

Champlain: Location & Entrance “Building set too far back; not accessible enough for drop-off” “The front entrance is beautifully designed; it captures what a library should look like…”

Champlain: Summary: 

Champlain: Summary Parking and directional signage are concerns when library is located in shopping plaza Windows and natural light are rated highly

Maple Ridge Library: 

Maple Ridge Library Address: 22420 – Dewdney Trunk Road Maple Ridge, B.C.

Maple Ridge : 

Maple Ridge Fraser Valley Regional Library System: 23 branches over 5000 square miles Architects: Toby Russell Buckwell & Partners Tom Annandale

Maple Ridge: 

Maple Ridge Opened March 2001 Located in Maple Ridge Business Centre 37,000 square feet Two levels Circ: 45,000 / month Collection: 110,000

Maple Ridge: Best Features: 

Maple Ridge: Best Features Windows stretch entire walls Natural light floods children’s & study areas

Maple Ridge: Best Features: 

Maple Ridge: Best Features Two most common words used to describe: Open Spacious

Maple Ridge: Quiet Study: 

Maple Ridge: Quiet Study Drawback of open concept: Noise Possible solution: Quiet study area

Maple Ridge: Self Checkout: 

Maple Ridge: Self Checkout “I love this” “Quick and easy” “This is great!” “Not always working”

Maple Ridge: Colour Controversy: 

Maple Ridge: Colour Controversy “I like the earth tones – colors from displays” “Kind of boring!”

Maple Ridge: Parking Concerns : 

Maple Ridge: Parking Concerns “More parking on entrance level would be better.” “Forced to park underground and pay, on those occasions I just don’t bother.”

Maple Ridge: Parking Concerns: 

Maple Ridge: Parking Concerns “Underground wouldn’t be so bad if you didn’t get locked out from going down afterwards.”

Maple Ridge: Features Wanted: 

Maple Ridge: Features Wanted “A coffee bar” “More art” “More study areas” “More computers” “More parking” “More books” “Great the way it is” “Automatic doors at entrance” “A water feature” “A BEER HALL”

Maple Ridge: Summary: 

Maple Ridge: Summary Bright ideas! Open spaces and natural light Self checkout machines Quiet study rooms Use with caution… Underground parking

Summary of the Overall Findings: 

Summary of the Overall Findings

Summary of Overall Findings: All Four Branches: 

Summary of Overall Findings: All Four Branches

Summary of Overall Findings: All Four Branches: 

Summary of Overall Findings: All Four Branches For most topics, the responses clustered in the 4’s and 5’s:

Outside Signage: 

Outside Signage Overall, no branch rec’d great ratings People often couldn’t comment, because they hadn’t seen any outside signs! McGill & Maple Ridge “Signs? What signs?” Champlain Heights “Good outside signage once you’ve already found the library!”

Outside Signage: 

Outside Signage McGill Champlain Heights

Parking: 

Parking More comments than in any other section Only library to survive unscathed Strawberry Hill Comments on other branches: “Ugh! The absolute worst! Very stressful way to start a day in the library.” (Champlain) “Not enough spaces.” “Pillars make the spaces too tight and cause accidents.” (McGill) “”Too few spaces outside.” Underground parking is a maze.” “Hate having to use the elevator and be buzzed down to the parking lot.” (Maple Ridge)

Outside Book Return: 

Outside Book Return Similar comments all branches People liked the convenience, but comments that emerged often were: “Too far from the parking lot.” “How about a drive-through return slot?” “Return gets all piled up on days closed.” Strawberry Hill

Building Entrance: 

Building Entrance For all libraries: Important that it not be congested Catalogue Computer Areas For all libraries: Majority of comments were “I never use the catalogue.”

Flooring: 

Flooring Maple Ridge and McGill highest ratings Typical comments from all branches: “Practical & durable without being ugly.” “I like the tile/carpet combination” “Tile and carpet don’t absorb enough sound from the noisy book trucks.” “Good non-slip surface” Maple Ridge

Book Return Inside: 

Book Return Inside Maple Ridge received highest ratings Typical Maple Ridge comments: “Lots of room.” “Very simple instructions.” “Everything is properly labeled & easy to see.” McGill, Champlain Heights, & Strawberry Hill rec’d mainly negative comments: “Too cramped, bad lineups.” “Too close to the door, space too small, too crowded.” “Didn’t know where to return my books.”

Information Desk: 

Information Desk McGill slightly ahead in ratings Comments typical of all branches: “Desk is easy to find, right by the entrance.” Desk is clearly visible.” “Friendly service, but they need more staff!” McGill

Seating: 

Seating McGill & Maple Ridge rec’d many “5” ratings: “Very comfortable,” and “lots” of spaces” Champlain and Strawberry: “Not enough seating!!” Strawberry Hill “Noisy and congested.” Maple Ridge

Colours: 

Colours Opinions generally short and non-committal McGill “Soothing wood and neutral tones.” “Too boring.” Maple Ridge “ Love the bright colours.” Strawberry Hill “Warm.” Champlain Heights – lowest rating “Boring, but who cares? I’m here for the books.”

Inside Signs: 

Inside Signs Few comments “Easy to read without my glasses.” Arrangement of Shelves Few comments “Shelves are shelves!” “The shelves are arranged like a library.” “Orderly.” “Neat.”

Lighting: 

Lighting Overall, people loved reading by natural light, and many people disliked fluorescent lights McGill

Windows: 

Windows McGill rated highest, Champlain Hts lowest McGill “Spectacular!” “I can view the outside clearly and become relaxed, especially when I’m tired.” Champlain Heights “Not enough, too small, too high.” McGill

Tables/Study Areas: 

Tables/Study Areas For all libraries: People want MORE study tables Restrooms For all libraries: “Clean.” “Want more paper towels!” Maple Ridge

Internet Computer Areas: 

Internet Computer Areas Question with largest number of “Don’t Know” answers Comments from all libraries: “Too crowded.” Not enough computers.” “Too many children playing computer games.” “Takes up resources and space that should be used for books.”

Children’s Area: 

Children’s Area Good ratings for all Many negative comments about noise: “The area should be walled off.” “Can’t they sound proof them?” [the children??] “Sometimes the whole library seems like a children’s area – it can be quite noisy sometimes” Strawberry Hill - most negative comments: “Too small!!”

Checkout Desk: 

Checkout Desk Maple Ridge and McGill highest ratings: “Good traffic flow, fast.” Strawberry Hill & Champlain rec’d criticism: “The checkout line can block access to the rest of the library and block some shelves.” (Champlain) “Too small and messy.” (Strawberry Hill)

Self-checkout: 

Self-checkout Only available at Strawberry Hill & Maple Ridge Folks loved them! “Quick and efficient.” “I love the idea of being able to check out my own material.” “No waiting.” “SUPER!” Strawberry Hill

Feature(s) Liked the Most?: 

Feature(s) Liked the Most? The Light!!! (Mentioned numerous times) Surprisingly, fireplaces mentioned only twice in over 400 returns as a welcome feature McGill

Feature(s) you’d like to add: 

Feature(s) you’d like to add Self-checkout!! (in branches without it) Better parking More “stuff” (books, videos) More computers A “Keep Quiet” sign Place to hear tapes Champlain Heights

The Public Speaks : 

The Public Speaks So, when planning a new branch public library: Tell the architect that you want LOTS of natural light Locate as many reading & study areas near windows as possible Use rich natural materials; don’t be afraid of bright colours Make sure the inside materials return area is large enough to avoid congestion Muffle noise from the children’s area [or muffle the children] Be wary of architect-designed outside signage that is tasteful but invisible Put in more study/reading areas than you planned Think about a drive-through book drop (Kelowna has one) Don’t crowd folks using the public access computer terminals Provide as much easy-access, pillar-free parking as possible

In Conclusion ….: 

In Conclusion …. We hope our information has been useful to you We’d like to thank the 2003 branch supervisors: Barbara Jo May (McGill), Trish Miller (Strawberry Hill), Susan Watson (Champlain Heights), & Caro Kennedy (Maple Ridge) Thanks as well to all the library customers who took the time to complete our survey If you would like more information about the survey, contact Dr. Ann Curry at <ann.curry@ubc.ca>