Wednesday, January 18, 2017

Creating the High-Functioning Library Space

Deyrup, Marta Mestrovic, editor. Creating the High-Functioning Library Space: Expert Advice from Librarians, Architects, and Designers. Libraries Unlimited, 2017. ISBN: 978-1-4408-4058-6 

Publisher's Description
This book provides practical information and insights to library administrators and building plan team members at academic and public libraries who are considering or starting a library expansion or reconfiguration of existing space. 
Building a new library or expanding or renovating an existing building brings up a host of questions and concerns, not the least of which involves the future of the library. This book addresses those issues in light of an overarching positive vision of libraries and their evolving purposes and roles in the 21st century. 
This guide identifies and addresses all of the steps in the building process, including preparing the request for proposal (RFP), selecting the right architect for the job, developing a financial contingency plan, and managing stakeholders' expectations. The book presents both the perspectives and experience of library administrators and management personnel as well as the insights of accomplished library architects and designers. It provides thorough, practical, and current guidance in a process that library administrators often find daunting and "risk immersive." Reading this book is like sitting down with a knowledgeable, impartial consultant before beginning a major renovation project—a tremendous asset for library administrators as well as architectural firms.
Features
  • Covers all of the steps in the building process, from preparing the RFP and selecting an architect to developing a financial contingency plan and managing community and staff expectations
  • Includes contributions from some of the most accomplished library architects and designers from across the nation
  • Presents information of great relevance and interest to library administrators as well as to architectural firms that work with libraries