PROGRAM PLANNING (INTERIOR) IMAGES
* The Shaw Library Study Group looked at the design images of the interior plans for the new Shaw library. The old floor plans were never readable on the DCPL website, but the new ones are here. They were updated on the DCPL website late July 2008.
* The group took turns commenting on the latest iteration of the new Shaw interior programming plans. Here's some notes:
=Throughout the Library=
- Seems to be very little relaxed sitting space (except for a one comfy chair near the teen area)
- There is no space for seniors anywhere in the library. Clearly there is an emphasis on youth, which is good, but seniors want a resource area for their needs and programs.
=Street Level=
- The "Childrens program room" seems isolated and near the stairwell. Is this safe and wouldn't parents be hesitant to let their children be isolated away from library busy areas? What is a program room?
- The staff work room seems to be walled in. Doesn't this limit how much visibility staff has out onto the library main floor? One of the highlights of the interim libraries has been the open and accessible staff desk right in the center of the library. The line of sight exists for both customers and staff for security and service means. It doesn't make sense to have walls separating the staff from the library.
- What defines "Juvenile Collection" and what age group is this?
- There seems to be an inadequate restroom facility for an area that encompasses the childrens section, which will often be overflowing with groups of kids.
Street level image as taken from DCPL website 8/12/08
=Lower Level=
- It's a warren of rooms with a confused layout.
- Will there be light coming in from outside into the lower level?
- There are somewhat large rooms not labeled in the lower level. What are these "ghost" rooms for? Can't we combine them to create a computer lab or senior center.
- The staff area in the lower level seems quite large, what will be happening in them? Do they need all of that space?
- There is no service point, no place for supervision. The large restrooms there will become a security issue. Will they be locked and patrons will have to get a key? Will they be unlocked when there are events in the meeting room?
Lower level image as taken from DCPL website 8/12/08
=Upper Level=
- The print and copy area looks quite small? What are the dimensions and what will the scope of that copy center be in terms of machines the public can use?
- Unless the book stacks are tiered from lower to higher, the staff information desk or "information point" will not have clear visibility on the floor limiting security or perhaps the information point will be elevated?
- What will the reference collection hold? Will there be Shaw related government documents?
- How big is the periodicals section as it seems there is just room for a small number of magazines and such?
- The upper level should have low bookcases so librarians have a clear line of vision to monitor the restrooms, especially since teens will be focused on this level.
Upper level image as taken from DCPL website 8/12/08
* Again the DCPL website has these floor plans available here, they were put up at the end of July 2008>>
http://dclibrary.org/dcpl/cwp/view.asp?a=1273&q=569285