Wisconsin Library Building Project Handbook

Foreward

Preface

Introduction

Creating Improved Library Facilities — An Overview

The Conceptual Phase
Needs Assessment
Evaluating Alternatives
The Planning Phase
The Building Program Statement
Assembling the Project Team
Site Considerations
The Dollars and Cents of Building Projects
The Architectural Implementation and Development Phase
Architectural Implementation
Interior design and Furnishings
Plans Analysis
The Construction Phase
Bidding and Contract Negotiation
Construction
The Occupation Phase
Moving and Settling In
Evaluation: Alpha and Omega
Summary
Needs Assessment — The Starting Point

Determining the Community's Library Service Needs
Wisconsin Public Library Standards
Developing a Plan for Services
Translating Service Needs into Space Needs
Basic Space Needs Calculations
Current Space Needs
The Projected Space Need
Condition of the Present Physical Plant
The Preliminary Survey
Initial Review
The Professional Survey
The Obsolescence Report
Summary
Evaluating Alternatives

Remodeling the Present Structure
Usable Space
Efficiency of Space
Physical Condition of the Present Structure
Accessibility
Site and Location
Future Expansion
Interim Conditions
Costs
Expanding the Present Structure
Usable Space
Efficiency of Space
Architectural Considerations
Physical Condition of the Present Structure
Accessibility
Site and Location
Future Expansion
Interim Conditions
Costs
Types of Additions
Building Reconfiguration
Building a New Facility
Usable Space
Efficiency of Space
Architectural Considerations
Accessibility
Site and Locations
Future Expansion
Interim Conditions
Costs
Converting a Building Constructed for Another Purpose
Usable Space
Efficiency of Space
Physical Condition of the Structure
Accessibility
Site and Location
Future Expansion
Interim Conditions
Costs
Comparing the Alternatives
Disposing of the Old Library Building
The Historical Monument Syndrome
Summary
The Library Building Program Statement

Purpose of the Building Program Statement
Objectives of the Building Program Statement
Scope of the Building Program Statement
Preparing the Building Program Statement
Who Should Prepare the Building Program Statement?
Library Board and Community Involvement
Refining the Needs Assessment for the Building Program Statement
Reaffirm Basic Planning Assumptions
Identify All Collections and Service Areas
Classify Space into Functional Areas
Describe Specific Environments and Conditions for the Functional Areas
Presenting Program Statement Information
Program Statement Format
Length of the Program Statement
Textual Explanation
Schematic Relationship Diagrams
Muther Relationship Diagrams
Flow Charts
Content of the Building Program Statement
The Introductory Statement
Summary Statement of the Resources to Be Housed in the Library
General Design Considerations
Special Requirements for a Remodeling or Building Conversion Program
Presenting Detailed Data
Concluding the Building Program Statement
Summary
Assembling the Project Team

The Role of the Library Board
The Board's Legal Authority
Forming a Building Committee
Moving the Project Forward
The Role of the Librarian
The Role of the Library Building Consultant
The Consultant's Responsibilities
Selecting the Consultant
The Role of the Architect
Selecting the Architect
Architectural Fees
The Architectural Agreement
Others Who May Become Involved
Local Government Officials
The Contractor
Other Representatives
Working with the Project Team
The Project Team during Construction
Project Team Meetings
Community Involvement
Friends of the Library
The Community Committee
The Citizens' Committee
Summary
Site Considerations

Previous Site Selection Studies
Site Selection Criteria
Size of the Parcel
Availability of the Site
Cost of the Land
Accessibility of the Site
Visibility of the Site
Adjacent Uses and Services
Orientation of the Site
Zoning of the Site
Topography of the Site
Shape of the Site
Hidden Obstacles and Subsurface Conditions of the Site
Special Issues in Site Selection
Parking Requirements
Commonly Suggested Sites
Preparing the Site Selection Report
Presenting the Survey
Hypothetical Scenario
Site Comparison
Summary
The Dollars and Cents of Building Projects

Estimating the Project Cost
Land Acquisition
Construction
Furniture and Equipment
Professional Fees
Moving Expenses
Total Estimated Project Cost
Project Funding
Municipal Appropriations
Loans
Lease/Purchase Plans
Federal and State Grants
Gifts and Bequests
Public Subscription and Donations
Budgetary Implications
First Costs
Factors Reflected in Operating Costs
Preparing for Cost Implications
Legal Authority for Constructing a Library Building
Summary
Architectural Implementation and Development

First Steps
Schematic Design Phase
Design Development, or Preliminary Drawings, Stage
Working Drawings and Specifications
Cost Estimates
Summary
Interior Design and Selecting Furniture and Equipment

The Library Interior — Who Is Responsible?
The Interior Design Process
Inventory of Furniture and Equipment
Interior Layouts
Selection and Coordination of Colors and Finishes
Furniture Selection
Procurement of Furnishings and Equipment
Preparing Specifications and Bid Documents
Installing Furnishings
Other Concerns
Partitions: Fixed versus Movable
Signing Lighting
Summary
The Plans Analysis Process

Blueprint Reading
What Is a Blueprint?
Types of Drawings
Scales
Architectural Symbols
Reading the Blueprint
Plans Analysis
General Questions for Plan Study
Evaluating Drawing from Various Viewpoints
Reading the Working Drawings and Specifications
Program Statement Comparison and Function Review
Fulfilling Space Requirements
Operational Review
Other Concerns for Analysis
Summary
Bidding and Contract Negotiation

The Bidding Process
Assembling the Bid Documents
Invitation to Bid
Determining the Bid
The Bid opening
Awarding the Contract
Responsibilities of the Project Team Members
The Architect
The Library Board
Summary
Construction

The Construction Process
The Schedule
The Preconstruction Meeting
Groundbreaking
Site Work
Foundations and Slabs
General Construction
Interior Design Work
Keying the Building
Substantial Completion Walk-through
Accepting the Building
Administering the Project during Construction
Visitation during Construction
Job-Site Meetings
Change Orders during Construction
Applications for Payment
The Role of the Project Team during Construction
The Architect's Role
The Library Board's Responsibilities
The Role of the Library Administrator
The Role of the Library Building Consultant
Summary
Occupying the New Facility

The Move
What will be moved?
Reorganizing the Collections
Commercial Movers, Library Staff, or Volunteers?
Scheduling the Move
How Long Will the Move Take?
The Administrator's Responsisbilities
Staff Orientation
The Dedication Ceremony
The Adjustment Period
Summary
Evaluation -- The Beginning and the End

Postconstruction Evaluation
Encouraging Other Viewpoints
Resolving Immediate Problems
Indicators of Future Needs
Summary
Conclusion
Appendixes
1. References
2. Space Allowances for Library Furniture and Equipment
3. Library Expansion Alternatives Work Sheet
4. Suggested Topics for a Building Program Statement
5. Excerpt from a Library Building Program Statement
6. Request for Proposal for Consultant Services
7. Sample Letter of Inquiry to Architects
8. Architect Evaluation Matrix
9. Suggested Interview Questions to Ask of Architectural Firms
10. Site Selection Matrix Work Sheet
11. Furniture and Equipment Inventory/Evaluation Work Sheet

For more information, please contact Publication Sales, (800) 243-8782 (U.S. only), (608) 266-2188, FAX (608) 267-9110, or email at PubSales@dpi.wi.gov

Last updated on 2/25/2008 12:53:43 PM

Libraries:

Wisconsin Library Building Project Handbook

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