Better by Design: An Introduction to Planning and Designing a New Library Building

Citation

Jo Kauffman, B. (2009), "Better by Design: An Introduction to Planning and Designing a New Library Building", Library Management, Vol. 30 No. 8/9, pp. 660-661. https://doi.org/10.1108/01435120911006638

This is a very well done book and certainly up to date with the challenges facing library managers in the twenty‐first century. The psychological impacts of redesign and forces necessary as a piece of change management were very well done. Design and workflow for organization do impact how staff performs their functions. Mr Khan recommends you visit libraries – try things out – visualize the differences that space and workflow design will have on your personnel and operations.

The author recommends finding an individual who can be a good project manager. This individual must create enthusiasm, which is infectious to the ultimate successful outcome.

The book has excellent charts and checklists, which make managing a project and creating order much easier. There is very good advice for “interviewing” potential architects. Mr. Khan advises one to consider style, bid process, and other criteria for selection.

Not surprisingly, the author recommends against the use of library jargon.

The creation of a “design brief” is a wise and recommended plan: Who is the library going to serve? What does staff do and how do they work? How can the design create flexibility, and more adaptable for future needs. The book also responds to the design quality points? Is the design fit for the library's purpose? Is there a public service front? Where are the doors? Is the entrance inviting? Does the site selection control the design?

The common theme running through the book was flexible – growth – nimble.

Mr Khan covers lighting, furniture, air/noise, collections floor loads; data/power; grids; overall ambiance. He also includes furniture design/placement, and installation.

The building of a new library must also consider the disabled – parking considerations, doors and elevators.

The book ends with an excellent bibliography, which includes books, articles, websites and complete appendices to make this easy. For as much detail as the book covers – it is an easy, quick read and a reference book for space design projects for the future.