KLTA > Statewide Training

Library Facility Planning

What to do? Renovation, Addition, or a New Building?

Part of the Kansas Library Trustee Association’s 9th Trustee-Friends Day program, "Diagnosing space headaches--Paint? Remodel? Build?"
Checklist developed by Northeast Kansas Library System Consulting Architect Hans J. Fischer, AIA.
hjfischer@earthink.net or www.nekls.org

WHY?
Some reasons for addressing library facility changes:

1. Meeting customer needs, including ADA compliance
2. Expanded programs and services for the community
3. Outdated building; functional obsolescence
4. Inadequate site: Location, parking, access
5. Lacks flexibility for change
6. Accommodate (utilize) new technologies
7. Increased usage
8. Community growth
9. Accumulated deferred maintenance
10. Repeated and costly repairs
11. Health and life safety issues
12. High operational costs: Excessive energy usage
13. High staffing costs
14. Other?

WHO?
Library Planning (or Building) Committee

WHAT?
Strategic plan … Library service plan
Needs assessment (space)
Existing building condition assessment
Exploration of options (with cost estimates)

• Renovation
• Renovation and addition
• Partial demolition and addition
• New building

HOW?
The decision-making process: General factors

1. Cost – major and quantifiable factor
2. Service impacts
3. Quality of space
4. Site location
5. Phasing
6. Program adaptation
7. Sustainable design/energy conservation
8. Historic structures

Selecting the "preferred" option
Process documentation for informing the public

Page last modified: July 10, 2008

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