MU Library Building Program Review Report

8/9/2019 MU Library Building Program Review Report

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The Library as Intellectual/Cultural Learning Center of

Campus: Meeting the Needs of 21st Century

Communities for Learning and Life

The Ganser Library Building Program Review, 2005-2006

Committee Members:

Greg Szczyrbak & Marilyn Parrish, co-chairsKrista Higham

Anne McGillivray

Linda RogersLeo Shelley

Deborah Sowers

April 28, 2006


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Contents

Introduction 3Rationale 4

Connecting Learning Space Design Research to MU Initiatives 4

Creating Buildings for Learning 4

Creating Library Buildings as Learning Centers 5Millersvilles Library 6

Process 8

Existing Resources Related to Building Concerns 8

Engineering Report 8LibraryFest student input 8

LibQual responses and student focus groups 8Consultants report on Special Collections 9

Past Program Review 9

Library Visits 9Consultant Visit 10

Staff/Faculty Visioning ~ Goals and Floor Plans 10

Library Liaison meeting 11

Recommendations/Action Plan 13Sources 16

Appendix 17I. Consultant Report 18II. Excerpts from Space Planning Report for Special Collections 31

III. Building Brainstorming and Goals 35

IV. Photos from Library Visits 40

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Introduction

Over the past year, faculty and staff in Ganser Library have been engaged in a ProgramReview process focused on the challenges posed by our building. The Building Program

Review committee has explored many opportunities to gain input toward a new vision for

the library building including: gathering existing information relating to buildingconcerns (from several sources, including student recommendations), visiting other

recently renovated academic library buildings, arranging for a consultant to visit our

campus, facilitating library staff, faculty, and student visioning sessions, and engagingfaculty from outside the library in discussions about the building. In addition,

investigation of recent research demonstrates a focus on the need to re-conceptualize

library services and spaces to meet needs of 21st century communities of learners.

The result of these initiatives is a call to seriously examine the strengths and weaknesses

of the current library building, particularly the ways in which it adds to or detracts from

an invigorating and welcoming learning environment on Millersvilles campus.

It is the strong recommendation of the program review committee, and the library

faculty and staff, that an addition and new entrance to the building be included with

the current plans for renovating electrical and HVAC systems. A new addition will

allow the inclusion of programming and exhibit space, varied and flexible study and

social areas, and expanded technological and physical resources, which are not

currently possible in the present at-capacity building. By creating an addition and

new entrance to the current north-eastern corner of the library building, the

university can offer a tribute to the past on the former foot print of Old Main, while

meeting the current and emerging needs of the university community by creating a

new intellectual and cultural learning center on campus.

This report presents information relating to the need for an addition and renovation: the

Rationale for new configuration of space connecting learning space design research to

Millersville University initiatives, the Process the committee developed to gather input

from across campus over the past year, and ourRecommendations for moving forward.The Building Program Review website is available at:

http://library.millersville.edu/building/

The process of re-visioning the facility encourages the re-visioning of the library as an

organization as we meet the needs of 21st century learners. As noted on page 7:

The Library is poised to take on a new role as an Intellectual/Cultural Learning Centerfor the Millersville University community: creating a welcoming environment for

learning, collaboration, development of information literacy skills, creation ofknowledge, and celebration of culture in a technology-rich, flexible and innovative

building which will serve as an academic and social hub of campus. This role necessitates

a re-visioning of the library building, with an addition and new entrance that createsan exciting new learning space while offering a tribute to Millersvilles rich educational

heritage.

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http://library.millersville.edu/building/http://library.millersville.edu/building/


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I.Rationale

In the 40 years since the library was designed and built, the university community hasexperienced dramatic changes, including the impact of new technologies, the

development of new degree programs and departments, the growth of new perspectives

on teaching and learning, an increased emphasis on interdisciplinary studies, and aresulting increase in the overall size and diversity of the university faculty, staff, and

student populations. These changes are likely to accelerate as the university community

moves forward into the 21st century, with learning technologies paving the way forinnovative and enhanced services. Current learning space design research addresses the

needs faced by 21st century educational buildings and supports many of Millersville

Universitys initiatives in planning for the future.

A. Connecting Learning Space Design Research to University Initiatives

Creating Buildings for Learning

According to the JISC Development Group (2006), the design of an educationalbuilding for the 21st century is:

Flexible to accommodate both current and evolving pedagogies

Future-proofed to enable space to be re-allocated and reconfigured

Bold to look beyond tried and tested technologies and pedagogies

Creative to energize and inspire learners and tutors [faculty]

Supportive to develop the potential of all learners

Enterprising to make each space capable of supporting different

purposesThese learning spaces should be able to motivate learners and promote learning as an

activity, support collaborative as well as formal practice, provide a personalized and

inclusive environment, and be flexible in the face of changing needs. (p. 3). Researchabout Millennials demonstrates that collaboration, multi-tasking, and gaming make thisgroup of learners unique compared to generations that have come before (Sweeney,

2005). As digital natives, millennials value continuous communication while embracing

experiential learning. Millennials seek both quiet study spaces and noisy collaborativegroup work spaces in libraries, as well as extended hours and social gathering places such

as cafs offering food and drink.

Learning spaces in the 21st century will continue to be driven by new technologies (JISC,

2006). A learning center will include technologically-rich, flexible, multi-purposed and

reconfigurable working and social spaces which will form the social and academic hub

of the campus (p. 22). An important evolutionary component of these learning spaceswill be wireless and connected learning technologies, as well as visual and interactive

learning technologies (pp. 6-7).

New designs emphasize high-quality social space as a central focal point in the

building, which caters for the needs of all users of the buildingvisitors, staff, learners

and potential learners of all abilities. The area is both a public facility providing mealsand refreshments, and a place where learners and staff can meet for short meetings.

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Wireless enabled, it is not set apart from learning student services may also be located

adjacent to this space to take advantage of its widespread use. Learners views are key to

getting the balance of the design right, and their opinions should be sought at an earlystage in its development (JISC, 2006, p. 28). John Seely Brown notes that learning is a

remarkably social process.it occurs not as a response to teaching, but rather as a result

of a social framework that fosters learning (p. 29).

Creating Library Buildings as Learning Centers

OCLCs recent studies focusing on the changing world of information and researchdemonstrate important findings for the mission of libraries in the 21st century.

Technology has dramatically changed access to information as well as the format of the

content. Format of research materials now matters less than the information in the

container as publishers have unbundled from traditional containers (books, journals,CDs) and distribution methods (postal mail, resource sharing) (OCLC Information

Format, 2004). While these resources are more widely available than ever before,

students and researchers need to develop the skills necessary to access, evaluate,

interpret, and make use of all of the information they find (from books to digital content).Libraries are seen as places to learn by 85% of respondents to the OCLC 2005Perceptions of Libraries survey. The role of the physical building becomes increasingimportant as communities of learners come together to collaborate and create knowledge.

Libraries play an essential role in helping students develop skills in information literacy.

This is achieved through collaboration with classroom faculty, joining our skills ininformation and knowledge management, metadata creation with the content students

are learning and creating as they collaborate on projects. Libraries have exemplified the

notion that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Collaboration has built thefoundations of modern librarianship and must form the foundation of the new

infosphere in which libraries and allied organizations marry technology with

collaboration to deliver services to the information consumer (2003 OCLCEnvironmental Scan,Future Frameworks).

Furthermore, Steven Foote of Perry Dean Rogers Architects in Boston notes:It is now commonly accepted that libraries are partners with conventional

academic departments in the educational enterprise. This concept acknowledges

that knowledge is actually created in the library as well as stored there in the

form of collections and accessed via staff skillit is not the offering of a broadrange of services which underlies the planning and architectural goals, but rather

the facilitating of student-driven learning. The quality of the enterprise will be

measured by the degree to which libraries succeed in triggering and nurturingstudents curiosity and intellectual growth (Garten and Williams, 2006, pp. 1-2).

Additionally, in communities and on university campuses across the United States,libraries are building new or renovating current facilities in order to preserve their

communitys culture revealing the changing needs and wants of the communities,

schools, and institutions that support them (Showcase, 2006, p. 29).

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As Millersville University continues to encourage the development of innovative

approaches to teaching and learning, to engage students in learning and service to the

community, to celebrate cultural diversity, and to assist students in the development ofcritical thinking skills, a commitment to creating new spaces for learning that reflect

these institutional values is essential. Kuh, et al (2005), found that schools which used

educationally effective practices created physical spaces on campus that reflectedinstitutional ideas and values. Collaborative and active learning methodologies are

preferred in place of traditional pedagogies. Physical spaces created on the campuses of

these educationally effective schools are designed to encourage innovation in teachingand learning, particularly spaces which allow informal and spontaneous interactionbetween faculty and students (socially catalytic spaces).

University initiatives such as the American Democracy Project which fosters civicengagement, the re-conceptualization of general education requirements, the offering of

passion courses by faculty members, and the repositioning of the university through a

new visioning and branding process, all point to the importance of the universitys

intellectual and cultural contributions to the region. The Universitys commitment toactive engagement with larger communities (local, state, regional, national and

international) will be supported by an enlarged and repositioned learning center oncampus through a renovation and addition to the current library building.

B. Millersvilles Library

When Ganser Library was designed and built in the mid 1960s, planners created a

building that met specific needs of that time. As our library moves into an exciting future

of engaging students and faculty in learning, the current building is woefully inadequate.New initiatives within the library are difficult to carry out as a result of the physical and

technological limitations presented by the building.

As faculty and staff in the library seek new ways to meet the needs of the university

community, more initiatives in outreach as well as cultural and intellectual programming

have been undertaken. It has become apparent that additional space for exhibits,receptions, and programming is needed. Recent examples include:

LibraryFest

the 150th Anniversary Womens Oral History Project

faculty and staff publications exhibits

o MUtopia: A Galaxy of Ideas (2006)

o MU in Motion: The Intellectual Energy of Millersville (2005)

o A ComMUnity of Ideas: An Exhibit of Faculty Scholarly and CreativeWorks (2004)

exhibit collaborations and receptions

o with the Lancaster County Historical SocietyCommon Threads: 150

Years of Millersville-Lancaster Connections

o with classes such as Dr. Cheryl Desmonds EDFN 376 Whose School

Is it Anyway: Students Research Millersvilles History in Archives &

Special Collections

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o with the English Department and the Office of AdvancementWilliam

Trouts Interior Landscapes: His Poetry and Passion

The current library building makes such initiatives very difficult.

The Aesthetics Committee within the library has been addressing some of the cosmetic

issues within the building, such as carpeting and re-painting. The committee has alsocreated a new area within the first floor--a living room with comfortable chairs andsofas, lamps, and tables. The new book area has been moved to the living room and new

seating is in the process of being ordered. Students use this space constantly for studying,

reading, using laptops, or sleeping, demonstrating the need for this type of space.

The physical structure presents increasing challenges which make it extremely difficult to

meet the needs of students, faculty and staff on campus, including the following:

ADA noncompliance (for example, elevator access is not available to every floor)

The entrance is not close to parking (making it difficult for handicapped library

users to use the building with ease) and is largely hidden

1960s engineering specifications do not meet current needs for weight ofmaterials and will not support future expansion

1960s electrical wiring is not sufficient for current technology needs and will not

support much needed expansion

HVAC system does not adequately meet the needs of collections or staff. For

example, there is no way to tailor HVAC systems to specific needs of Special

Collections, where a recent mold outbreak has resulted

Special Collections has urgent needs for expanded space for researchers,

materials, and staff

The physical layout is difficult for students to use with ease

The dcor is not attractive or welcoming

There is no adequate exhibit, reception, and programming space in the building

As the library moves toward the future, a much needed addition and renovation will

provide:

o technologically enhanced collaborative work space

o a mix of academic and social space

o a more aesthetically pleasing and welcoming physical environment

o flexible and re-configurable space for materials, group study, staff work

areas

The Library is poised to take on a new role as an Intellectual/Cultural Learning Centerfor the Millersville University community: creating a welcoming environment for

learning, collaboration, development of information literacy skills, creation ofknowledge, and celebration of culture in a technology-rich, flexible and innovative

building which will serve as an academic and social hub of campus. This role necessitates

a re-visioning of the library building, with an addition and new entrance that createsan exciting new learning space while offering a tribute to Millersvilles rich educational

heritage.

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II. Process

In addition to reviewing research focused on learning space design, the Building Program

Review Committee gathered existing resources related to the building, traveled toacademic libraries with recent renovations and additions, facilitated a campus visit by a

building consultant, carried out a visioning process with faculty, staff and students in the

library, as well as faculty outside the library. The results of the year-long process indicatethat addressing much needed changes to the facility will enhance the learning

environment for the Millersville University community.

A. Existing Resources Related to Building Concerns

Engineering Report

The 2004 Rettew engineering report found that the present structure does not meet

current building standards for housing materials in certain locations throughout the building. This has required a significant relocation of materials to suitable areas,

resulting in the storage capacity of the building being fully utilized. The building is forall intents and purposes full. The building design suited the university at the time it was

constructed, but increasingly the structural configuration of the stack and reading

spaces do not meet current needs for housing materials and do not allow for meaningfulreconfiguration suitable for individual or group learning purposes.

LibraryFest Student Input

During our fall 2005 LibraryFest celebration, students were encouraged to draw picturesor leave comments about their ideal library on large display boards. Their responses

confirm current research about students and their desires for library buildings. Manystudents wrote about the desire for a social and academic gathering place withcomfortable furniture and food. Sample remarks about an ideal library include:

A warm inviting environment with nice reading nooks and comfy study

areasmaybe an area that feels like a coffee shop

My ideal library would have more space to chill, more comfy couches

Ganser Library needs a study lounge where we are allowed to have foodand drinks, and big squishy couches

LibQual and Student Focus Groups

In the LibQual survey administered in Spring 2004, students indicated the need for a

variety of study settings within the library including quiet areas and group study rooms.Students noted that the library dcor is ugly and uninviting, that the layout of the building

makes it difficult to get around, and that there are limited options for comfortable seating.

Other students noted problems with the elevator.

As part of the Library Departments regular assessment and as a follow-up to the LibQual

survey, two student focus groups (one undergraduate, one graduate) were facilitated bythe Office of Planning, Assessment and Analysis in Fall 2005. Students noted the need

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for quiet and group study areas with appropriate furniture. One suggested the use of

student art work on the walls to add color throughout the building, stating that the

carpeted walls downstairs are bland and depressing.

Consultants Report for Archives & Special Collections

As a result of a site visit by a space planning consultant in Spring 2005, several issues of particular concern to Archives & Special Collections were raised. These include the

inadequate space for researchers, materials, and staff, as well as the lack of dedicated

climate control for rare and valuable materials. Weight concerns in this part of thebuilding are paramount as well. The consultant states:

In its current state, the Archives lacks adequate space to conduct business aseffectively as desirable. The department reflects years of make-shift solutions to

immediate problems. These solutions, that at one time were important individual

steps taken to preserve the collections, satisfy donors, and provide research and

instruction space, today prove themselves to be largely unsatisfactory as a meansto manage the department and care for its materials.

For the past several years, the books in the Wickersham and Rare Book Collections have

had continuing problems with mold infestation. This is due in large part to the lack ofdedicated climate control in the area. While the problem is being addressed, challenges

with the current facility will contribute to ongoing mold issues in the future.

Past Program ReviewIn Ganser Librarys 2001 Program Review, one Focus Area was Space Availability &

Usage. The identified building strengths and weaknesses in that report continue to be

pressing needs today:Strength

o the library is in a convenient location on campus with room around the building to

expand

Weaknesses

o entrance and general ambience are unattractive and outdated

o the ground floor entrance remains unsecured

o valuable library space continues to be used by other units on campus (this

problem is exacerbated in recent years by structural concerns of the building)

o faculty members are isolated from staff, colleagues, and students with inefficient

office space

o the library classroom needs improved lighting, sound, and seating capacity

o Archives and Special Collections has outgrown its space and faces serious

environmental dangerso students require currently unavailable comfortable space within the library to

meet in collegial groups and to read and study

B. Library Visits

The building program review committee sought to be as inclusive as possible in gathering

input for a new vision for the library building. The committee made visits to recently

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renovated library buildings at Arcadia University, Villanova University, and Haverford

College. The committee observed many similar features in newly renovated spaces,

including the following:

Central location of library emphasized connection with campus community

Lots of technologically-rich space for group learning and group work, including

equipment such as scanners, data projectors, and large screen computers Movable furniture, varied for different types of learning activities

Social spaces for programming (mix of academic and social space)

Student work space by windows

Natural lighting (task lighting, aesthetic lighting, lights on tables), effective and

aesthetically pleasing window design

Natural materials (stone, wood, etc)

Common graphical elements, uniform colors

Use of architectural features to best advantage (for example: cloth covered

acoustical panels for columns improve sound and aesthetics, softening of boxinesswith curves in carpeting and service desks)

Nicely landscaped courtyards

C. Consultant Visit

On December 5 and 6, 2005, Joe Lucia, director of the library at Villanova University

visited Millersville University and Ganser Library as consultant to the building programcommittee. His visit included meetings with library faculty, staff, students, non-library

faculty and administration.

Joe Lucia began his visit with a presentation offering four key dimensions of the

Transformed Academic Library. Using lessons learned from library and learning space

design research, as well as experience at his own institution (which has a similarlydisadvantaged library building), Joe described theNew Academic Library as a Place, an

Educational Enabler, an Intellectual Center, and a Scholarly Partner. In this transformed

library, he imagined inspirational spaces, technology rich collaboration spaces, social and

event spaces, as well as digital classrooms and consultation areas.

At Joes subsequent meetings, he elicited feedback from various constituent groups on

campus to gain an understanding of what a transformed library at Millersville Universitymight look and feel like. After his visit, Joe submitted his formal, report with specific

recommendations, including the addition of new space, and hiring a interior design /

space planning consultant (see appendix). Joes visit laid the groundwork for a series of

visioning exercises with library faculty, staff, and student assistants.

D. Staff/Faculty Visioning ~ Goals and Floor Plans

In January 2006, the library staff and faculty participated in a visioning session in the

Bolger Conference Center. Participants worked in small groups to generate ideas for their

ideal library, using a scenario of the future as a starting point (see appendix).

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Recommendations for specific aspects of an ideal library were grouped together and the

following goals emerged for a renovated library building:

Overall goal:

Provide high quality creatively designed space for users, collections, and staff, which is

flexible, attractive, and effective.

Goals for a redesigned library:

1. Increase visual appeal and sight lines in order to make library more welcoming

and easier to navigate

Curves, blending, natural lighting, building that knows what time it is,natural materials (green environment), easily identifiable entrance

2. Create a balanced mix of academic and social space

Flexible, group, quiet, caf, programming (performance space),

technology rich

3. Establish coherent visual identity for areas of library, while maintaining identitiesof various areas (common color palette)

4. Provide attractive and flexible work space for staff

Increase communication and workflow, create attractive

living/working environment using high quality materials

5. Create dedicated, flexible space design and service for library materials andinformation in all forms

High density shelving, physical collection organized intuitively

In a follow-up session in February, library student assistants, staff, and faculty membersworked in groups to design their ideal library using large floor plans of the first and

ground floors. Groups made creative suggestions for use of the current building spaces aswell as an addition with a new entrance to the building.

E. Library Liaison meeting

Library faculty liaisons were invited to participate in a building visioning exercise during

spring semester 2006. Working in groups, faculty members outside the library offered

input into the design of an ideal library. Their recommendations for an ideal libraryinclude:

- conference room suited for meetings with outside groups such as accrediting

agencies

- Create areas, floors for group work and discussion (sound-isolated that allowstudents to talk more freely); seminar rooms for discussions

- classical music as background in some areas

- Green, Green, Green as the foundation to the building; Sunlight- Environment, services, and programs that engage and welcome local citizens

- Garden, Native Mindfulness Centers and rooftop plant pods for relational study

moments- Data tiers blogs, google, academic

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- Voice recognition stations that allows you to ask for directions, a book, anything else

- Electronic connections: fields and areas not typically thought of by the culturally

constrained human mind- Wireless audio/video transmissions

- Child care; child friendly spaces

- 24 hour areasOther suggestions included listening to other faculty members on campus who are living

in new buildings to learn what works and what doesnt, traveling to Denver, CO and

spending time in Tattered Cover Bookstore to see the ambience that an ideal libraryshould have, and engaging an anthroposophic architect.

The year long process of examining research about 21 st century learning space and library

design, gathering building-related recommendations and comments (including studentinput), visiting libraries, learning from the consultant, facilitating visioning exercises with

faculty and staff in the library, and with faculty outside the library, has resulted in a

renewed sense of urgency about a vision of library services and the need for an expanded

and renovated facility for the future.

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III.Recommendations/Action Plan

Results of the building program review process demonstrate that dramatic change isneeded for the library building at Millersville. Input from students, faculty, and staff

indicate that the current building is not meeting current or anticipated learning needs.

Major library renovations and/or additions have already been completed at mostPASSHE schools but not at Millersville. The re-visioning of the library building has

offered the opportunity to reconsider the purpose of the library within the university

community as we meet the needs of 21st century learners.

Anticipated Construction Plan

2006-2007 Hire interior space design consultant, continue planning for

renovations and addition2007-2008 Participate in Capital Campaign, plan for library operations during

construction

2008-2009 Vacate parts of building; begin construction

2009-2010 Completion of changes and additions2010 (summer) Begin use of new facility

In the interim, the Building Program Review Committee recommends the following steps

to address the needs of the library building at Millersville:

Summer 2006

Shift work areas where possible in current structure so that staff can be closer

together, promoting

o Ease of communication

o Improved services

o Increased collaboration Establish a building task force within library

o Create process that incorporates staff and faculty vision

Continue fine work of Aesthetics committee in needed cosmetic changes

Assign faculty member (for 2006-2007) to focus at least half-time on public

relations/outreach. This assignment will allow the library to be engaged right

away with the proposed vision and branding initiatives, while offering muchneeded coordination and planning for programming in the library. Consider new

faculty position in this area.

Fall 2006

Invite participation in campus-wide library building committee (students, faculty,

staff, administrators)

Begin listening process

o seek input from across university for visioning of the ideal library

o listen to faculty and staff in recently renovated buildings to learn benefits

and challenges of new spaces

Document needed electrical and HVAC upgrades

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Meet with architect to review plans for addition and new entrance

o A tribute to Old Maingoing back to our roots as a center for learning,

while planning for the needs of the future

o Addressing the following crucial needs:

A visual focal point for campus (the wow factor is important);

increase visual appeal and sight lines throughout building Handicapped accessible entrance, restrooms, and service

points/desks with elevators for each part of the building (old andnew)

Variety of student study areas (flexible, group, quiet, technology-

rich)

Visible caf, larger and more centrally located

24 hour study space

Programming, exhibit, and reception space

Dedicated HVAC and lighting for Special Collections in newspace

Attractive and flexible work space for staff and faculty

Use of natural lighting and natural materials (a green building)

Dedicated, flexible space designed for library materials in all forms

Spring 2007

Recommend and hire an interior space design consultant

Work with architect to ensure that internal and external addition, entrance, and

renovations incorporate input from library faculty and staff, as well as universitycommunity

o Design should facilitate the vision of the library as the intellectual/cultural

learning center for Millersville University, creating a welcomingenvironment for 21st century learning communities.

This image is a 1920photo of the edge of the

Ladies Dormitory of Old

Main, directly across from

Dutcher Hall, illustratingour desire to return to our

roots while moving

creatively toward thefuture. By creating a new

addition and entrance over

the foot print of Old Main,a newly designed library

can pay tribute to

Millersvilles pastourrich educational heritage

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as symbolized by Old Main (possibly including design or artistic elements within the

addition), while at the same time moving forward to meet the new needs of 21 st century

learners and serving as the intellectual/cultural learning center for the universitycommunity.

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Sources

Brown, C. R. (2002).Interior design for libraries: Drawing on function and appeal.

Chicago: American Library Association.

Environmental Scan:Pattern Recognition.A Report to the OCLC Membership.

(2003). Dublin, OH: OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. Available:

http://www.oclc.org/reports/escan/

JISC. (2006). Designing Spaces for Effective Learning: A Guide to 21stCentury LearningSpace Design. Bristol, England: JISC. Available:www.jisc.ac.uk/elearning_innovation.html

Garten, E. D. & Williams, D. E. (2006). Repurposing older libraries for new times:

Creating new learning space.Library Issues 26 (4).

Information Format Trends: Content Not Containers. (2004). Dublin, OH: OCLC Online

Computer Library Center, Inc. Available:http://www.oclc.org/reports/2004format.htm

Kuh, G., Kinzie, J., Schuh, J., Whitte, E. & Associates. (2005). Students Success in

College: Creating Conditions That Matter. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.

Perceptions of Libraries and Information Resources: A Report to the OCLC

Membership.(2005). Dublin OH: OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. Available:

http://www.oclc.org/reports/2005perceptions.htm

Showcase of New & Renovated Facilities: Libraries= Cultural Icons. (2006).

American Libraries 37 (4), 29-62.

Sweeney, R. T. (2005). Reinventing library buildings and services for the millennial

generation.Library Administration & Management19 (4), 165-175.

Wilson, L. (2002). Collaborate or Die: Designing Library Space.ARL Bimonthly Report,

Issue 222. Available: http://www.arl.org/newsltr/222/collabwash.html

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http://www.oclc.org/reports/escan/http://www.jisc.ac.uk/elearning_innovation.htmlhttp://www.oclc.org/reports/2004format.htmhttp://www.oclc.org/reports/2005perceptions.htmhttp://www.arl.org/newsltr/222/collabwash.htmlhttp://www.oclc.org/reports/escan/http://www.jisc.ac.uk/elearning_innovation.htmlhttp://www.oclc.org/reports/2004format.htmhttp://www.oclc.org/reports/2005perceptions.htmhttp://www.arl.org/newsltr/222/collabwash.html


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Appendix

I. Report from Building Consultant, Joe Lucia, Villanova University 18

II. Excerpts from Space Planning Report for Archives & Special Collections,

Jim Gerencser, Dickinson College 31III. Building Brainstorming and Goals 35

IV. Photographs from Library Visits 40

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I. Consultant Report

Millersville University LibrariesSite Visit & Consulting Report

Prepared by Joe Lucia,

University Librarian & Director of Falvey Memorial LibraryVillanova University

April 10, 2006

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1. Introduction & Summary:The Academic Library at the Dawn of the 21st Century

During my early December, 2005 visit to the Millersville campus,I made a presentation to the library staff on an emerging framework

for understanding the role of the academic library in an informationuniverse that has been transformed by the digital revolution. At theheight of the dot.com boom there was a climate of panic within thelibrary profession. Many thought that perhaps the coming era ofubiquitous digital information access and Web-enabled modes ofcommerce and personal interaction might spell the end of the libraryssymbolic and physical role at the center of intellectual life. Over thelast several years, however, many of us have begun to take a moreclear-headed and ultimately very exciting view of the prospects forlibraries as they are re-configured to address the complexities andrequirements of the digital information environment.

I have developed a four-fold framework for describing the shapeand mission of the new academic library. This framework is premisedon an understanding of the deep cultural value of the library functionand the significant continuity that connects even the most radicalvision of possible library futures with the historical commitments andcharacteristics of print-era libraries. I wont rehash for you here allaspects of my argument about the contexts for libraries. Rather, letme present you with my central assertion and then enumerate the fourdimensions of the library role as I see it evolving through the nextdecade. My thesis:

Libraries, from their earliest organized manifestations in theancient world up to the present moment, are always more thanwarehouses. They are gathering places for scholars & poets creators, thinkers and dreamers of all stripes initially out of physical necessity but ultimately because intellectual &imaginative work requires a social context, a site forengagement, exchange, and chance encounter. At a culturallevel, the library as institution symbolizes and embodies the lifeof the mind and the abiding human need to preserve and revisitthe products of thought and imagination.

Whatever happens in the digital age, I am confident that the power ofthis meme1 will persist for a good while to come. We must stake our

1 A working definition for this term can be found online at Answers.com. For

convenience, let me provide that definition here:A unit of cultural information, such as a

cultural practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one

mind to another. [Shortening (modeled on GENE) of mimeme, from Greek mimma,something imitated, from mimeisthai, to imitate. See mimesis.]

19
http://www.answers.com/topic/memehttp://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=123k99o3ckl5e?method=4&dsid=1555&dekey=G0076200&curtab=1555_1&sbid=lc02ahttp://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=123k99o3ckl5e?method=4&dsid=1555&dekey=M0306900&curtab=1555_1&sbid=lc02ahttp://www.answers.com/topic/memehttp://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=123k99o3ckl5e?method=4&dsid=1555&dekey=G0076200&curtab=1555_1&sbid=lc02ahttp://www.answers.com/main/ntquery;jsessionid=123k99o3ckl5e?method=4&dsid=1555&dekey=M0306900&curtab=1555_1&sbid=lc02a


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claim to the future on that basis. Libraries are one of the foundationalengines of cultural transmission , as central to our self-definition asmuseums, churches, governments, and educational institutions.Asserting this vision of cultural stewardship enables us to sustainongoing roles in the following four areas:

Library as Place

Library as Educational Enabler

Library as Intellectual Center

Library as Scholarly Partner

A. Library as PlaceLocation independent information access in the digital era has

had the paradoxical effect of a renewed emphasis on what is uniqueabout library spaces when they are no longer conceived essentially asbook repositories with ancillary functions. In effect, what was once at

the margins in formal gathering places, lounges, cafes, study andconsultation rooms, media viewing facilities, computer and gamingareas, auditoriums and presentation rooms are now at the center ofour concern about and understanding of what libraries provide forcontemporary patrons. In many different ways, libraries are becomingan extended living room, a center of civic life, a third place for thevarious communities they serve. Instead of seeing this as a diversionfrom our primary mission, we need to see it as a revitalization of thelibrary as intellectual agora a vital, stimulating contact zone atleast in some of its aspects, rather than an exclusively quiet realm forthought and reflection. Yes, we still need those quiet spaces, but we

should never again define the functions of our facilities in relation tothe cultural clich of the bun-wearing silence enforcer. The physicalenvironment of the new academic library must be visibly andengagingly lively.

B. Library as Educational EnablerThe recent emphasis among accreditation agencies and others

on student outcomes, and the related concern with informationliteracy in the digital age, taken together provide the library with aspecial opportunity for curricular integration of library services andresources into the learning environments of our students. As a result,we find ourselves at this moment in a position to forge new and lastingpartnerships with teaching faculty, faculty development specialists,and instructional technologists. This requires, however, within librariesa new emphasis on pedagogy and effective instruction, along with anunderstanding of contemporary active learning modes and

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undergraduate patterns of study and information seeking, and awillingness to experiment with many new tools and techniques ininstructional technology without sure guarantees of success. Morebroadly, we need to re-conceive our technology environment and ourservice delivery channels around teaching and learning priorities that

integrate with the discipline-specific needs, practices and cultures ofour students and faculty. We can no longer think of the library as ainformation resource that sits adjacent to our instructional andresearch contexts rather, the librarys competencies and concernsmust be woven into the overall setting of teaching and learning.

C. Library as Intellectual CenterAt the core of the academic library mission is scholarship,

namely, the access to, promulgation and preservation of scholarship.In this context, libraries occupy a unique position on their campuses.They are concerned in the broadest possible way with the intellectual

output of the scholarly community, and they are invested in theeconomic, institutional and symbolic networks through whichintellectual work is circulated and made available. Even in the Googleera, the library serves as a local nexus and portal to the world ofscholarship for the institution. It is a small step to expand this role toinclude programming and outreach.

In taking on programmatically the role of intellectualcrossroads, a place to gather and exchange ideas, within its hostinstitution, the library has the unique capability to

provide a forum for faculty to operate as public intellectualswithin the campus community

stimulate discussions that will develop understanding andcommunication across the disciplines

bring faculty research to an interested general audience present to students the full diversity of the life of the mind promote reading, literacy and cultural engagement through

such activities as campus-wide one book programs bring to campus writers and scholars who can speak to the

academic community across the disciplines provide students with a setting in which to perform as thinkers,

writers and apprentice members of the intellectual community

Intellectual programming is key to our future. If academiclibraries are to remain vibrant institutions, their fate must not beconceived in relation to the slow but inevitable attenuation of printculture in the digital era. Instead, we must embrace in this epoch ofdigital transformation the very real possibility that one of the academiclibrarys important functions is the cultivation of the intellectual

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crossroads. By connecting naturally to the life of the mind in its localsettings, the library will maintain its place as an essential catalyst ofintellectual enterprise for future generations of students and faculty.

D. Library as Scholarly Partner

It is a commonplace to talk about the transformation of scholarlypublishing and scholarly communication in the digital era, but itremains important to engage with this rapidly changing domain andeven to take an activist role in the change process. This is in a manyways a natural outgrowth of the fact that librarians possess a uniquelyglobal view of the points of origin of information in a vast array of printand digital publishing networks both popular and scholarly, includingthe structures of review and validation built into this environment.Librarians also understand the dedicated access channels throughwhich specialized publishing and scholarly information are accessible.Key aspects of library participation in this arena include: the

development of digitized collections from our unique holdings (often inpartnership with faculty, other libraries, or even non-library agenciesand organizations); the establishment of institutional repositories andother similar digital infrastructure for formal and informal archive andpublishing of faculty intellectual output; the development of onlinearchives of student portfolios, theses and other similar work; theestablishment within libraries of new exclusively digital universitypress operations; sponsorship of forums and colloquia for faculty andothers on the changing nature of scholarly publishing in the digital era;and participation in and economic and moral support for emergingmodes of open access publishing.

Conclusion: The Transformed LibraryIn aggregate, all of the above dimensions, fully embraced and

embedded in the practice of librarianship within our institutions, willresult in the new academic library, which is in reality a re-animationof everything that has been most vital in our past with the addition oramplification of key new roles. Salient characteristics of this newlibrary, to my mind, will include:

Integration with academic programs around informationliteracy concerns in the digital era;

Re-organization of service staff along disciplinary and programdimensions;

Intensified concern with pedagogy and the development ofeffective instructional design;

Rich digital infrastructure accompanied by broader technologydevelopment & support expertise among staff;

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Convergence of concerns and support areas with academic &instructional technology;

70/30 balance of digital to print resources, with ongoing vitalityof book publishing in key areas;

Partnerships with faculty around research dissemination;

Digital transformation of the cultural & intellectual record; and Cultivation of the library as Intellectual commons, manifested

byo Sponsorship of events to foster dialog and interaction

among the disciplineso among students, faculty and staff outside the classroomo enhancing the university intellectual climate;

Flexible physical facilities, not book warehouses designed tosupport diverse learning modes, featuring:

o inspirational spaces for private studyo

seminar rooms;o technology-rich collaboration environments;o digital classrooms;o consultation areas;o social & event spaces (auditorium)o configurable, well-lit collections storage & use areas

2. Site Visit FindingsWhile on the Millersville campus, I had the chance to speak with

a range of library constituents, including library faculty and staff,students, and teaching faculty. Each of these groups provided with

valuable perspective on their issues and concerns. I will summarizemy findings briefly for each of these groups.

A. Library StaffBased on my interactions, the Millersville library is graced with

an engaged, competent and committed staff that nonetheless hassome concerns about library decision-making and about their roles inrelation to the roles of the library faculty. The union contract structurethat is embedded in the overall state higher educational systemimposes some strictures on the degree to which real change can beeffected in this area ( e.g. greater flexibility in faculty / staff role

definition). But a heightened consciousness of the distinctionsbetween faculty and staff may help work through potential conflicts. Inspite of those issues, there were many positive comments sharedabout the overall experience of working in the library at Millersville,and a deep sense of affection for both the library and the institutionwere clearly communicated to me by this group.

In particular, many members of the staff feel that theirexperiences and practical expertise are undervalued in decision-

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making because of the higher status and autonomy of judgmentgranted to the library faculty. Points of frustration in relation todecision-making extended to: workloads resulting from changes in thenature of the collection (the transition from print to digital resourcemanagement); inadequate or inconsistent project management with

respect to such activities as re-classification, physical collection shifts,and lack of clearly communicated or widely understood goals for suchactivities as LC re-classification. There was also in evidence from thisgroup much concern about the impact on users (broken up collections,incomplete browse-ability, etc.) of projects that extend indefinitely intime without a clear path to completion. At a minimum, to remedy themorale fallout from this situation, there needs to be a commitment tomore thoroughgoing communication of goals, targets and prioritieswhen staff is asked to take on special projects.

When asked what they would change about the library, the staffoffered numerous suggestions. They are quite unhappy with the

current chopped up allocation of space in the library building. Theyare eager for a workplace environment characterized by strongerteamwork, especially at the management level, where many perceivedevidence of a tug of war between the director and departmentheads. On the whole, the staff did not seem to feel that managementis consistently moving in the same direction. Many are hungry for acommon vision of where the library is headed. There was alsoeagerness for more training opportunities and a desire to betterreward students for the good work that they do. There was alsoconsiderable frustration with the limited opportunities for staff toadvance (largely because of the contractually-defined employment

category distinctions that are driven by credentialing requirementsetc.). The staff is generally unhappy about the lack of merit raises,again which is a systemic issue in terms of state employees thismeans that though individuals often work very hard and do a good job,there is no real performance incentive. In addition, many staffmembers felt that student employees were not fairly compensated forthe high quality of work that they do. Because of the heavy relianceon students, there is also some frustration about the need tocontinually train a changing cohort of library workers.

When asked what they would not change, the staff was just asquick to supply a list of good things, including co-workers who care

enormously about their work and the good of the student body,interesting work opportunities that are available in the library, andcolleagues who take pride in their work. A number also spokeenthusiastically about their participation in LibraryFest and the waythat the shaping of that event brought together staff and library facultyin a satisfying collaboration. Many staff members are also very proudof certain services that they work to support including ILL,duplication, and electronic resources.

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B. Library FacultyI had wide-ranging and lively conversation with the library

faculty, that started with a review of the challenges imposed by thestate contract and employment structure that enforces a caste system

within the organization and that also makes it difficult to rewardexcellent performance (in the absence of merit-raises). I was pleasedto note that the library faculty actually shared many of the concerns ofthe staff, including the recognition that there are limited opportunitiesfor the staff to express their opinions on matters that may affect themand that as a result the staff dont always understand managementdecisions. Working with support staff on special projects (likeLibraryFest) has begun to erode some of these boundaries. Someadditional solutions to the overall problem were discussed, includingplenary staff meetings, presentations by support staff at suchmeetings, meetings to focus of particular challenges or issues, and

brainstorming sessions. Someone expressed a concern that promisingyounger support staff members have left the library because of a lackof opportunities for professional advancement. Student assistantsoften end up with greater opportunities than support staff because oftheir option to go on to library school.

When we turned from staff issues to other areas, a substantiveconversation about services ensued. Issues addressed includedpossible staffing models for an Information Commons, the place oftechnical support for users in a technology-rich library environment,and the question of actual student technology competency. Withrespect to Reference Services, our conversation included a review of

possible new models formal consulting sessions, scheduled floor-walking, integration in courseware, IM services, and the notion of re-positioning reference itself as educational consulting. We thenturned to talk of personalization issues for delivery of information &possible frameworks for achieving that. From that we moved to adiscussion of tabbed search interfaces, and the value of the Google-like query box for access to library databases (federated searching) itprovides a simply point of entry that can lead to more complex options& explorations.

After this broad consideration of service issues, we asked thequestion of how to implement the services librarians would like to

provide within the physical limitations of the current building. Digitalaccess allows the freeing up of physical space there is less need forpervasive book stacks. This provides the option of re-allocating areasof the building to new activities and new functions. One result couldbe the stratification of space into different user contexts groupareas, quiet study areas, technology areas, consulting areas, leisure &lounge space. Such changes raise the question of where staff are and

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how their presence relates to different sorts of space, in addition to thequestion of what services where.

Finally, we talked about getting continuous input from studentsabout what they want or need. Methods could include an annual Websurvey, focus groups with incentives for participation, walk-throughs

with students, and the use of students as secret shoppers.

C. StudentsThe students spoke in generally very positive terms about their

experiences in the library and had especially high praise for theassistance they have received from librarians and library staff duringtheir course of study at Millersville (several said, theyre awesome,they have saved me lots of time!). The students also identified manythings they like in the library the loaner laptops, the overall quality oflibrary technology, the library hours, the new lounge furniture, thedigitization of archival materials and the opportunity to work on

research projects in the library. There were, however, a number offrustrations and concerns voiced by the students. These included thatthe hard-wired computers in the building are not configured withadequate workspace around them, often making them unusable andresulting in queuing for laptops. The students also wish that the librarycould provide a 24-hour study space. They felt as well that the cafhours are too limited and that its location is too small and not centralenough. They enumerated a number of problems with the building,including the unreliability of the elevator, the challenge of navigatingchopped up or unclearly related spaces, the fact that study roomsdont appear to be configured for easy student access (they seem

more like staff offices) an d arent used as much as they could be.Some students find the current library Web site hard to navigate.Some students feel that the book collection is inadequate orantiquated in their areas of study (notably computer science). Othersfeel that it is very good (Elementary Ed and curriculum collections).Students in some fields rely on PALCI & interlibrary loan and havefound this a good alternative. Most students are using online journalsextensively and find that faculty quite frequently expect that they willuse high quality resources from the library rather than anything theycan dredge up on the Web. Some frustration was expressed about theunreliability of the self-check station and also about inefficiency at the

Circ desk because of the way patrons have to wait for charge receipts.In general, the cohort of students I spoke with (many of them libraryemployees) showed a lively engagement with the library and itsconcerns and those who worked in the library were very proud of itsservices and felt good to be part of what it offers.

D. Non-Library Faculty

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My conversation with the teaching faculty occurred over lunchand was characterized by a significant amount of dialogue about theways libraries are changing in the digital era. In some sense, it was aneducational session for the faculty. They did, however, speak inglowing terms about their colleagues in the library and they expressed

deep appreciation for library services such as PALCI EZBorrow, thatextend the reach of Millersville holdings and support thereby theirresearch endeavors.

We talked at some length about student information use andinformation literacy and they all seemed eager to develop furthercollaboration with the library around learning activities that will deepenstudents awareness of the distinctions between scholarly informationand content on the open Web.

Many at the table voiced their ongoing commitment to and needfor print collections (though they certainly greatly value online journals!), and they expressed chagrin at the state of the librarys

budget with special concern voiced that digital resources seem to befunded at the expense of book acquisitions. There was clearfrustration with the budgetary philosophy issuing from the state onthese matters.

There was also a lot of concern voiced about the condition of thelibrary building and the need to upgrade and expand it, both as asymbolic center for the campus and also as a necessary improvementto teaching and learning infrastructure.

As with any group of faculty, there were one or two roguemembers of the group who felt that the digital era generally andspecifically at Millersville, the development of student-centered

services such as digital document delivery is making it too easy forstudents to do research, resulting in a lack of exposure to the arduouschallenge of working with such media as microfilm and the physicalmaterials in archives. Though this was a minority opinion, it wasvoiced strongly.

Perhaps the deepest and most alarming concern though sharedby many is that the library is under-funded and under-appreciated bythose who hold the purse-strings. This concern extended againespecially to lack of consistent substantial support for bookacquisitions. Several faculty members described running out of bookfunds long before the close of the fiscal year. This is not a situation

exclusively of the librarys making, and it certainly requires someattention from administrators outside the library.

3. Conclusions & RecommendationsThroughout my visit to the Millersville campus and in all of my

conversations with the library faculty and staff I was immediately anddeeply impressed both with the commitment to new thinking about thelibrary and with the shared belief that you have a good basic platform

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from which to build something new and exciting. The Ganser Librarybuilding itself is fraught with problems that flow naturally both from itsvintage (and the thinking about library spaces common to librariesdesigned in the mid-1960s) and from the condition into which it haslapsed over time as compromises have been made to squeeze into it

new functions and new services unanticipated when it wasconstructed. But the flexibility and willingness of the staff to embracea comprehensive re-thinking of the building and its latent possibilitiesas an exciting library space together bode well for future prospects.First and foremost, given some of the structural constraints of thecurrent building, the addition of at least some new space is stronglyrecommended.

Based on the documents I have seen from your ongoing planningactivities, let me add some additional suggestions that will enhanceyour conversations about prospects for the building renovation. Thebroad goals established at the January planning session seem to me

by-and-large very good ones. If I could add some more detailedsuggestions and principles to your vision, they would include thefollowing:

Minimize the impact of physical collections on all highly visible,interactive public spaces but somehow also strive to create anenvironment that invites mixed use a lively combination ofsocial and learning activity that is salon-like or caf-like in itsfeel.

Have a very high density of technology in your most active userarea, contiguous to your caf lounge, but make the technologyarea distinctive from the caf.

Invest in splashy current technologies as a visible statement ofthe librarys tight coupling with the digital age for instance,have several large LCD screens that can be hooked up togaming devices or computers and a good sound system in atleast one of your lounge areas.

Have some computers in the caf but dont let them dominatethat space.

Make the caf as large and as visible as possible.

Create at least one dramatic and inspirational space in thebuilding perhaps using the current lobby near the Circ desk asone possible locale for this.

Evaluate and think about traffic flow, way-finding, and thegeneral intelligibility of your building at every decision point.

Use the intuitive characteristics of domestic architecture as onebenchmark for thinking about how spaces might be delineatedor organized.

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Create a public event space or several spaces in a visibleportion of the library so that this vital function is seen asinterwoven with the community mission of your facility.

Add a small auditorium to your plans if you can afford that at all.

Incorporate as many (and different kinds of) study and seminar

rooms into the facility as possible and equip these with state ofthe art collaboration and presentation equipment and selfservice scheduling tools (such as walk-up touch screens neareach door).

For all collections that are not likely to be high-use, investigatecompact storage.

Make collection areas friendly if possible, rather thanintimidating long alleys of shelves.

Think about how to make point of use help available pervasively,via touch screens and other similar tools.

Attempt to develop an approach that allows you to monitorusage in all areas of the building to dispatch assistance to userswho seem to be having difficulty.

Make all service & user assistance staff visible in some mannerthat invites approach service counters etc. should be friendlyand accommodating in their design rather than forbidding.

Integrate staff with users in a variety of ways so that thedistinction between office space and general library spacebecomes blurred.

Do everything with flexibility in mind, so that environments canbe re-configured in the future as needed.

Provide adequate and flexible workspaces for technology, evenin this era of wireless and increasingly diminuitive devices.

Use stack areas to define quite study space but dont do itclaustrophobically develop small comfortable alcoves of softchairs along side carrel spaces and computing work areas.

Make power connections accessible anywhere someone mightwant to sit down to work or in any location where that mightbe a possibility in the future.

Leave some open space in the building for future applications.

Use high quality daylight balanced lighting wherever possible.

Hire a good interior design / space planning consultant to helpyou think through space utilization from a professionalperspective.

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II. Excerpts from Space Planning Report for Special Collections

Analysis and Recommendations on Space Needs and Usage for Special

Collections and University Archives

By Jim Gerencser

April 5, 2005

Jim Gerencser (Dickinson College) visited Archives & Special Collections in Spring

2005 to document challenges and make recommendations for space planning. Excerpts

from his report follow. Not included are his recommendations for redesigning the fourthfloor, based on updated information about the buildings inability to accommodate the

weight of the materials in our area.

Current Concerns

In its current state, the Archives lacks adequate space to conduct business as effectively

as desirable. The department reflects years of make-shift solutions to immediate

problems. These solutions, that at one time were important individual steps taken to

preserve the collections, satisfy donors, and provide research and instruction space, today

prove themselves to be largely unsatisfactory as a means to manage the department and

care for its materials.

1) Special collections are spread throughout the library building, though better

management of the collections demands that they be centralized where their

proper care and usage can be appropriately monitored and their careful security is

more assured. (In addition to the Archives on the fourth floor, I visited three

additional spaces in the library building where materials under the purview of the

Archives are being stored or processed.)

2) Climate conditions are inappropriate for materials of a rare and unique nature.

(As noted in Harold Shills report, temperatures during his visit far exceeded a

comfortable level for researchers, let alone a level recommended for the storage

of unique textual, audio, and visual/photographic materials.)

3) Public space in the reading room cannot effectively accommodate its volume of

users. (This problem is most particularly evident during times of classroom

instructions.)

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4) Staff workspace is severely limited; as collections have grown, storage space for

these collections has absorbed more and more of the non-public workspaces

within the department. (In the case of one recent accession, preliminary sorting

and inventorying is taking place in a separate room on a different floor of the

library building because space is unavailable within the Archives itself.)

5) An examination of the design of the library building has raised concerns about the

weight that can be supported on the main floors and balcony areas of the building.

To address these concerns properly, special collections materials will need to be

moved, and compact shelving units may need to be dismantled, or at least be

packed with materials less densely than is current practice.

In short, the Archives needs to add significantly to its contiguous physical space to

address the weight concerns, to absorb the growth of collections, and to enhance service

to patrons. This additional space should allow the gathering together of all departmental

materials through a significant increase of storage space, should offer an enhancement of

research and instruction space, and should provide for growth in staff workspace. With

various building changes being contemplated, this opportunity to address the needs of the

Archives should not be lost.

Long-Term Goals

In order to set the stage for the recommendations that will follow, I want to begin by

outlining what I consider to be reasonable long-term goals not only for this, but for any

archives or special collections repository. These goals should be kept in mind whenever

planning the future development of the Archives at Millersville University.

The department should occupy a space that is readily visible and accessible for all

interested patrons.

The department should be provided with the strictest security available.

The department should have dedicated climate control systems to maintain the

unique environmental standards required to preserve the collections properly.

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The department should have adequate growth space for collections, or should at

least have the potential for incremental increases in physical space, as necessary,

to accommodate future growth.

The department should have flexible patron spaces for traditional research usage,

exhibitions, group instructions, and receptions.

The department should provide ample workspace for staff to accession, process,

catalog, and preserve collections.

The department should offer appropriate state-of-the-art technology for the use of

both staff and patrons.

By keeping these long-term goals in mind and adhering to them when planning the future

development of the Archives, Millersville University can ensure that each incremental

change that is made is an appropriate step in the right direction.

Climate Control

Climate control is another major concern for the Archives; maintaining steady

temperature and relative humidity is the single most important factor for ensuring the

long-term preservation of all types of record-keeping media. The current air-handling

system was designed for open floor plans, and thus is not particularly conducive to

carving spaces up into smaller offices and workspaces. This problem notwithstanding,

measures should be put into place to ensure that constant, steady and comfortable

conditions are maintained in the Archives at all times of the day throughout the year.

Fluctuating temperature and humidity will cause definite stresses on materials, and

exposure to particularly high temperatures and/or humidity can lead to mold growth in

addition to accelerating the chemical reactions that speed the ageing process. Though the

varied materials being housed in the Archives naturally demand differing ideal storage

conditions, and though these conditions compete with those that are comfortable for

employees and patrons, a reasonable balance among these competing needs should be of

paramount importance. The Archives should strive to maintain a constant temperature of

between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit and between 45% and 50% relative humidity.

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Conclusions

An even better long-term solution would be the construction of a brand new space

specifically designed for and befitting a 21st

century archival repository. The new

construction might simply be a part of a larger library expansion project. In any case,

while special collections facilities are somewhat similar in nature to libraries in terms of

the materials housed and the services provided, the differences in their needs are

significant enough to warrant this type of independent design and construction.

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III. Building Brainstorming and Goals

Program Review - Building Committee Brainstorming Session Friday, 1/20/06

(brainstorming ideas grouped by goal statements)

Overall goal: Provide high quality, creatively designed space for users, collections, andstaff, which is flexible, attractive and effective

1. Increase visual appeal and sight lines in order to make the library morewelcoming and easier to navigate

Curves, blending, natural lighting, building that knows what time it is, natural

materials (green environment), easily identifiable entrance

Large atrium: plants, fish, skylight, fountain, natural lighting

Main entrance: open to service desk, spiral staircase, parlor, marble

flooring, nice wooden desk, comfortable seating, caf area, circularservice area, most service areas, office area, common area for

programs/meetings Elevators: ends of floors (2 or more)

Attractive artwork

Landscaping (inside/outside)

Nice view of lake

ADA entrance (front and back entrances)

Bright lights in stacks

Valet parking = separate for staff/faculty and students

Very open lobby area lots of windows, light

Inviting entry incorporate stained glass windows

Amazing entry warm lighting, fountain Variety of materials wood, tile, carpet, stone

Carpetless walls

Circular circulation desk with lower space behind the counter for work

space/clutter

More than one elevator that works mag lev

Arches/curves

Vaultedness

Functionalsignage, easy to navigate, easy to see where services are,

people to help in viewconcierge

Variety of lightingnatural, table, skylights, no fluorescents

Needs to flow

Parking lot near front entrance

Obvious entrance

Replica of Old Main

Pyramid

Medieval style

Warm

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Courtyard

Connect to SMC

Plant atrium with waterfalls in center of comfortable seating area

Well landscaped exterior with many windows for both public and staff

Sunshine, glass, bright, open space

Inviting Artwork throughout building

Have a greeter

Public desks near each other and very visible on entering building

Stained glass and Greek statues

Elevator improvements

Large centrally located restrooms

Restaurant on the top floor

hug you entrance

Green environment (environmentally friendlysolar panels, cleaning

supplies, carpeting, etc.) Marble floors

Welcome area (benches, fountains, aquarium)

Multiple elevators (glasscan see both inside and outside)

Teaching/Current Events kiosks on every floor

3 stories highspread out

Entrance looks like arms reaching out (ask Leohell demonstrate)

Gift shop for library and research materials

Acoustic designed to absorb sound

Directional signs

Open 24 hours

Patio/garden (swings in the garden) lovely surrounding area

Atrium birds and butterflies

Public parkingparking garage get off at each level

Space to wander

Call buttons (I need help here)

Campus and payphones throughout

High ceilings, sky lights, dome to open and close (fresh air)

More natural materialsstone, slate

Padding under carpeting

Heating and air conditioning that works/good air quality; climatecontrol

High quality look and feel

Nontraditional looking atmosphere, odd shaped furniture, spaces

Sense of surprise

Large windows (any shape)

Take advantage of campus natural beauty

Entrance higherto easily see where things are

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No more than 2-3 floors. Floors are barriers

Service huboffices and welcome station in one area

Circular entrance, displays for subject areas, visual map

High priority items near entrance

Organized in spokes (Park City)

Waterfall at entry, soothing sounds Baskets scattered through building

Juvenile circulation desk, staffed at all hours, and study and work

areas

Modern architecture blend of modern and traditional

Plaques recognizing services by librarians

Lake with fishing areas and canoes

2. Create a balanced mix of academic and social space

Flexible, group, quiet, cafe, programming (performance space), technology-

rich Space for cultural programs; poetry reading, art exhibits (small and

large rooms)

Small theaters (multiple)

Community rooms

Study carrels for individuals

Computer enabled group study area

Classrooms, group study areas, lounge, tables, carrels

Mixture of areas

Classroom: state of the art, holographic projector, flexible seating,

control software, technology enabled, better acoustics, for instruction

and online tutorials Space needs to foster people interaction rather than finding stuff

Holographs

Places for privacy as well as open spaces

Juice bar, restaurant, food place

Multi-purpose spaces with flexible furniture

Rooms for group study and project work

Access to necessary ports and connections in the furniture

Access to sound systems

Combine coffee shop and public programming area

Meditation room Exhibit space

Technology space (equipment and knowledgeable assistance)

Many activities

Lots of study areas (for groups and individuals)

Gallerydisplay areasexhibitsconstantly changing

Best seller shelf (in whatever format)

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Cutting edge technology

Multimedia room for creating and viewing videos, etc.

Stress reduction area (fitness center) for users and staff

Cool, comfy couches/chairs

Faculty carrels, glass walls, doors, phone, pc, scattered throughout

2 cafes-different food and dcor Coffee bar outside Bills office

Study carrels with electricity and lamps

Scattered computer terminals, small blocks (6-8 PCs)

Quiet, comfortable nooks

Auditorium, performing arts center

Writing/tutoring center

3. Establish coherent visual identity for areas of library, while maintaining identities

of various areas (common color palette)

Bright colors (welcoming)

Lots of art

Painting walls in interesting warm colors

Murals under balconies, above windows

Natural colors, shapes

Tubes for light, colors of moving lights, directional and emotional

Eye catching displays

4. Provide attractive and flexible work space for staff

Increase communication and workflow, create attractive living/working

environment using high quality materials

Exercise area for staff/faculty

Staff meeting room with adequate seating and nice tables

Staff offices near each other

Nice staff lounge

Directors office overlooking campus

Jacuzzi in new staff lounge

Space for tech and access services which allows people who worktogether to be together, but with appropriate privacy

Grouping staff offices so that people are closer together but still have

privacy

Ample staffing Windows in all offices and doors

Coffee machine outside Bills office

Staff training rooms

5. Create dedicated, flexible space design and service for library materials and

information in all forms

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Fully digitized collections: books, journals, archives, videos, sound

recordings, available through network in or out of building

Delivery service: physical formats, local, long distance patrons

Holographic librarian providing point of use instruction

Institutional repository

Sequential arranged stacks Remotely browseable stacks: video, or through holograph, sent

directly to you

Special collections own wing with AC, environmental controls

Pick-up place books (closed stacks), reserves

o Assuming importance of objects is waning

Research consultation services including assistance in evaluating

information

Counters at both sitting and standing heights

Automatic retrieval of items from shelves; automatic shelf reading

machine Compact shelving with automatic movements

High Tech circulation + sorting machine

Photocopiers on every floor.

More of the collections of permanent value will be digitized

Library will provide services to users throughout the world

Special Collections/Archives should gets its own wing

Integrate services for faculty and students within library building

Language lab translations

Roving Librarians: lots of different responsibilities multi-taskers

Special Collections/ Archives w/ separate building or wing, deep

colors

Book arrangement needs to make sense/ Start planning here

Low Shelves for juvenile books, displays. Colorful Paintings

Juvenile circ desk, staffed all hours + study and work areas.

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IV. Photos from Library Visits

Arcadia College

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Haverford College

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Villanova University

Documents

MU Library Building Program Review Report