February 17th, 2010
Well before an architect was selected, the library trustees and staff went through a process called GASP which is used to create a brand or identity. Once the identity is defined it is used to guide all decision making in creating new spaces, selecting colors, furnishings, etc. Basically, it is used to define the desired characteristics of the library building. GASP is an acronym:
- Graphics – initial impressions
- Ambiance – the mood or feeling
- Style – the tone and character
- Presentation – delivering the concept
The trustees and staff brainstormed adjectives relative to each of these concepts and came up with the following:
Graphics
v Creative
v Unique
v Consistent
v Attractive
v Interesting/Inviting/Engaging
Ambiance
v Welcoming, inviting
v Cozy, feel at home
v Easy to navigate, intuitive
v Approachable
Style
v Casual/informal
v Highlight building features
v Integrate nature
v Suburban feel
Presentation
v Proactive
v Eco-friendly
v Innovative
v Clear
v Diverse – different interests = different formats and styles
Tags: Design process, GASP process
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February 17th, 2010
So what is happening on the second floor? With magazines and computers for adults moving to the first floor, the area that currently houses these items will become part of Youth Services. And that extra space is needed! Usage of Youth Services has grown dramatically since the building first opened. The area for teens will about double in size. They will be located at the south-west end of the second floor. While the current teen area has seating for 12, in the new design there is seating for 19. School-age children also get more space and more seating including lounge chairs.
The north end of the department focuses on younger children. Over 600 square feet will be devoted to a special interactive space for parents and children including three computers specially designed for young children. More seating for children and parents will be provided throughout this area. The picture books will be shelved in face-out in bins rather than spine out on shelves. This allows for easier reading of titles and authors and provides the appeal of the wonderful illustrations on the front covers. Books shelved with their covers facing out are very enticing to children. Other libraries using this type of book display report 30 – 40% increase in circulation. The story time room will remain where it is but will get new flooring and cabinetry to store books and supplies used by staff for story time.
The meeting room will also remain where it is on the second floor but will get an updated look with new carpeting, paint and chairs. In addition, a new restroom will be built across from the meeting room. Because of limited space it will be one restroom that can be used by all.
Tags: Design process, Youth Department
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February 5th, 2010
With the fourth design meeting, the floor plans began to take shape. A huge change in the layout of the building was proposed – moving the first floor restrooms and taking down the wall that divides the lobby from adult services. This will open up the lobby and provide site lines into Adult Services as soon as people walk into the lobby. It also allows placement of high interest items such as new books and DVDs in the lobby. This one change in the building design will create a whole new look for the library.
More changes for Adult Services include combining the Reference Desk and the Readers Advisory Desk into one desk. This will save space and provide for more efficient service and staffing. This is an example of the thinking used in the design process. We need to utilize the building in a more efficient and meaningful manner. In this vein, staff have been reviewing and heavily weeding the reference collection. With the growth of online resources, many traditional reference books are no longer needed. Other books can be placed on the circulating shelves so patrons can check them out.
The upshot is that the number of reference shelves will be reduced in half and the space used for other services. The same is true of videos. Earlier this year non-fiction videos were removed and feature film videos and books on cassette heavily weeded. Use of these items has been declining and, with our limited floor space, it is important that we make room for more heavily used materials. By the way, weeded materials are given to our Friends for their book sales.
As stated previously, magazines and computers for adults will be moving to the first floor. These will be located at the north end of the department. Reference resources – online databases and books – will be at the south end. Fiction and non-fiction will be staying where they are and audiovisual materials will run through the middle of the department. Oh, if you’re wondering where the restrooms are ending up, they’ll be in the northwest area of the Adult Services Department.
Tags: Adult Services, Computers, Design process, Magazines
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January 22nd, 2010
Over the past four years the library has conducted a variety of types of surveys, as well as talking with patrons, to determine how patrons use the library building and what they would like the building to be like. Over and over we hear that patrons want:
- To be able to easily find what they are interested in.
- A comfortable, clean facility.
- Less noise in the library.
- Some type of café facility.
- Access to computers.
We also studied how patrons use the building. A study done in 2007 showed that two-thirds of the patrons used the library for reading or conversation and as meeting and study space, not just to come in and pick up materials. We’ve also seen the use of personal laptops in the library grow tremendously.
A survey showed that patrons ranked “selection and assortment of material” low. Even though we have 190,000 items, patrons don’t feel like they are finding what they want. In fact, finding items on the shelf caused the greatest need for assistance. Obviously It is important that we make it easier for our patrons to find things.
As we developed a list of building needs, these themes continually came to the forefront. So, in working with the architects we are addressing each of these issues. As I write about the design process and floor plans, I’ll address just how these identified needs will be met with the new building design.
Tags: Design process, Patrons, survey patrons
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January 22nd, 2010
The second session with the architects was a brainstorming session meant to look at all possible options for the building. Ideas included moving adult services to the second floor and youth services to the first floor. Moving the meeting room to the first floor. Leaving the departments where they are but moving the meeting room to the south end of the second floor and re-arranging youth services. We moved areas within each department around on the floor plan. Service desks were evaluated in several locations. The architects left with a number of ideas to work on.
The following meeting was more nuts-and-bolts than brainstorming. Since we’re not adding additional square footage, the architects’ first task had been to determine what could fit where. Thus we were told that there was not enough space on the second floor to place adult services there. So that settled that. In order to keep costs down, it made sense to keep the meeting room and the youth services storytime room where they currently sit. However, more discussion led to the decision to move the adult computers and magazines to the first floor which will keep all adult services together. In addition, one of the project goals is to provide more space in the preschool and teen areas and this would provide that additional space. Also, the youth services workroom is very undersized for the department so this would provide additional space for their workroom. Once these decisions were made, discussion focused on how best to use the space on each floor. Working with each department, many ideas were put on the table as to the best ways to design the departments. Once again, the architects went back to their office to continue to refine the plans.
Tags: Architect, Design process
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January 8th, 2010
In August the Library Trustees, the department heads, Assistant Director Laura Birmingham and I met with PSA-Dewberry-BCA representatives Randy Gibson, who is the Principal-In-Charge, and Sara Chrzanowski, who is the interior designer, for a visioning session. Several things occurred at this meeting. First Randy reviewed the architectural/interior’s process in which the project will be run. Then the staff & trustees brainstormed key strengths & shortcomings of the library, coming up with a lengthy list for each.
Discussion continued with identifying key issues to be considered as part of the design process and as well as a vision for the interior design aspects of the project. Everything was summed up with the following project goals:
- The revised layout of the Library will reflect the following ideals:
- Create an inviting atmosphere wherever possible.
- Surroundings should stress, where appropriate, comfort.
- Each area should be zoned to reflect its individual use and identity.
- Way finding shall be intuitive.
- All spaces shall be designed to maximize future flexibility wherever possible.
- Where applicable, the design shall embrace progressive elements that reflect on the Library’s forward thinking service/identity model.
- The new layout shall significantly improve the patron’s experience without the need to increase the size of the Library’s staff.
- Collections shall be rebalanced to reflect patron needs and shall be arranged with a naturally intuitive flow.
- Achievement of seamless access to technology for patrons.
Tags: Architect, Vision Session
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December 14th, 2009
The trustees have approved spending up to $1.3 million for the building makeover. This money will come from a capital reserve fund that the library has been adding to for a number of years. Property tax money will not be needed for this project. The trustees had the foresight to know that the library would need to be refurbished one day. In addition, use of the space has changed since the library opened and we’ll have the funds to make adjustments to better serve our residents. Currently we are in the design phase and thus don’t know just what the budget will be. We anticipate having this information toward the end of January.
1/13/10 Please note that the statement above “Property tax money will not be needed for this project” should read “No additional property tax money will be needed for this project.”
Tags: Cost
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December 14th, 2009
The Library Trustees have selected PSA-Dewberry-BCA as the architectural firm to work with the library in the renovation project. PSA-Dewberry-BCA is an architectural, engineering and planning firm with current projects of various types totaling more than $600 million and they are ranked among the top 50 A/E firms in the U.S.
As part of the selection process, the trustees considered seven firms and interviewed three. The trustees were looking for a firm with experience in providing a mix of services including critical evaluation of public libraries, interior space planning, interior design, creative solutions, traffic and workflow optimization, and display and furniture selection. The architect needed to have experience assessing options for the design and arrangement of shelving, desks and display fixtures in relation to best practices in libraries as well as in the commercial world plus knowledge of “green design”. Other factors considered included the experience of the project team, similar projects done by the team members and the firm’s presentation of their understanding of the library’s project and how they would approach it.
The trustees were very impressed by the presentation give by PSA-Dewberry-BCA as well as their experience in library renovations similar to IPPL. The firm has a dedicated “library studio” with extensive experience in designing, renovating and building libraries (over 250 public library projects at 1.5 million square feet as a matter of fact). Locally the firm was responsible for the recent renovation at the Hinsdale Public Library and the renovation and expansion of the Downers Grove Public Library in 1999. Other recent projects in the Chicago area include Northlake Public Library, Bartlett Public Library and Tinley Park Public Library.
A key point in their presentation is to “make the library a destination” and provide something for everyone. Their project approach is “client-centered design” which fully involves the client in the design process ensuring that form does not trump function. I’ll talk more about the design process in future postings.
Tags: Architect, PSA-Dewberry-BCA
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December 1st, 2009
The library is undergoing an exciting and wonderful new phase in its history. We are doing a makeover of the building and, along with the renovation, we will also be enhancing services we offer to our patrons.
This blog is the place to to find out about the renovation and changes that will occur. This project is the result of two years of discussion and the trustees and staff are very excited about how the library will be able to contribute even more to the community once this is done.
We’ve titled the project “Imagine the possibilities; Create the space; Renew the experience”. For two years and counting, we have been imagining the best ways to provide services in this building. Come next May (or thereabout) we will start to create the new space and approximately 6 months later we’ll invite the community to renew their Indian Prairie Library experience.
With a thirteen-year-old building that had over 400,000 visitors just last year, there is need for refurbishment such as new paint, flooring and upholstery. It’s also an opportune time to enhance the building in other ways to provide improved services to the community.
The renovation will be funded through the library’s capital reserve fund which the trustees had the foresight to establish many years ago. Property taxes will not be impacted by these improvements.
Stay tuned for more information about the project and how it’s being developed.
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