Library Buildings: Planning and Programming

There are many books and articles dealing with planning a library building project. This article presents the need for project teams, describes their composition, and presents their role in the planning process. The role of the building consultant is outlined and the qualities desired in the building consultant presented. The space estimation process is presented, including charts of space required for selected library equipment. The building program document is described. Several examples from a building program are presented to illustrate the types of information found in these documents. The importance of inclusivity throughout the planning process is emphasized as well as the importance of including enough space for future expansion. Introduction Any library building project, whether it is a renovation of the current facility, the expansion of the current facility, or the building of a new facility is a major undertaking. For many library staff members, board members, or members of the community served by the library, it is a once in a lifetime experience. For the end result to be something that the user community will be proud of and use effectively for years to come, there must be considerable planning accomplished prior to the first shovel of earth or the first brick mortared into place. This article describes the planning process essential to the development of the desired new facility. For any building project to be successful, it needs the coordinated participation of a wide variety of individuals. A first step in this direction is the assembly of a project team. This team will operate for the life of the