Berwyn Public LibraryNew Construction

Abridged Building Program

Ben BahlAna Devine

Debra OrellanaLIS 779: Planning and Design

of Library SpacesDecember 11, 2014

CONTENTS

Historical Background 2

Mission and Vision Statements 3

Community Population and Demographics 4

Building Program Goals 4

Proposed Floor Plans 11

New Architectural Design 15

Design Considerations 15

Adjacencies 16

Summary of Spaces 20

Interior Design 22

Sightlines and Wayfinding 22

Selected Room Data Sheets 23

Resource List 29

Appendix I: Furniture Recommendations 31

Appendix II: Lighting Recommendations 34

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Historical BackgroundAccording to Berwyn Public Library Board member Eileen, the Berwyn Public Library began life in the 1890s as a private lending library. Books were initially lent out from the home of Berwyn’s co-founder Charles E. Piper located at 3427 Oak Park Avenue (Pech, 2008). Several wives of Berwyn leaders managed the book lending service and during the early 1900s the lending library donated the books to Emerson School, and the library disbanded (Pech, 2008).

During the 1920s the library opened as a children’s library by the Berwyn Woman’s Club that was serviced by volunteers. After four years, the Berwyn Woman’s Club ran a petition drive in effort to establish a public library in Berwyn. Success happened a year later in 1925 with the development of the first Berwyn Public Library located in rented space at The Berwyn Club 33rd. Street and Oak Park Avenue [a tax-supported institution] and the first library board was established (Pech, 2008).

A central branch was founded in the 1930s and was located in a storefront at 6910 Cermak Road (Pech, 2008). Two additional libraries soon followed, the North Branch located in Elmwood Avenue and 15th Street and a South Branch at 3204 Grove Avenue [later reopens at 3118 Oak Park Avenue] (Pech, 2008). All three branches have undergone several relocations throughout Berwyn, Illinois. By 1940, the Central Branch had relocated to City Hall, but closed in 1982.

In the 1950s, centralization of a new Berwyn Public Library was deemed necessary. Following a successful 1960 referendum, two library buildings were constructed in 1961 for the North and South Branches. The North Branch was located at 6420 West 16th. Street, and the South Branch located at 3400 Oak Park Avenue (Pech, 2008).

During the 1980s, the idea of acquiring new technologies was turned down by the council and as the Berwyn Community continued to grow through the 1990s, the need for a new facility became clear. An article by Lisa Lervolino,“Interplan Practice Uses Extensive Rehab Experience to Convert an Office Building into the New Berwyn Public Library,” reveals that the Berwyn Township had been trying since the early 1990s to replace and consolidate their two overcrowded, antiquated library branches. (Inland Architect, 1997) Residents, unwilling to finance a new 55,000 square foot library that would have cost $7.9 million, defeated two separate referendums. Finally, it was decided to purchase an existing building that could be modified to meet the library’s needs (Lervolino, 1997). As a solution, in 1996 the Berwyn Public Library moved into an existing building at 2701 S. Harlem Avenue that was previously the Czechoslovak Society of America (CSA) headquarters. (Pech, 2008) Situated on a triangular lot bordered by railroad tracks, Harlem Avenue, and Riverside Drive, the building presented a few challenges.

The architectural firm Interplan Practice of Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois was retained to transform the 33,000 sq. ft. office building into a new Berwyn Public Library (Leverlino, 1997). Lou Narcisi, a partner at Interplan Practice, defines the 20-year old hexagonal building limestone clad as a distinctive structure that presented some design challenges:

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space flow, balancing library floor loads in a structure conceived as an office building, and making everything fit within those restrictions. (Inland Architect, 1997).

To keep the renovation costs low, Interplan Practice kept most of the interior masonry walls as possible, cutting doorways through the walls to create dedicated spaces for each department (Inland Architect, 1997). One major challenge was in combining the two library branches into the one centralized new Berwyn Public Library facility on Harlem Avenue because each library had a unique array of furniture, equipment, and shelving. The LIS 779 team agreed the furniture is severely mismatched and visually unappealing so this building program includes new sustainable furnishings.

The second challenge, according to Interplan Practice, was the relocation of the building’s entrance, which originally faced the busy intersection of Harlem Avenue and Riverside Drive (Inland Architect, 1997). Since most of its patrons come by car and park behind the building, the entrance was relocated to that side. Patrons then would no longer have to walk around the building, and the orientation of the interior was completely reversed (Inland Architect, 1997).

In light of the struggle for space and efficiency faced by Berwyn Public Library, we recommend the construction of a brand new library building. This new construction should reflect the needs of both the Berwyn community and the needs of a library in general and should enable the building to become a landmark in the present and a viable, flexible, adaptable, and forward-looking library building for the future.

Mission and Vision StatementsMission StatementThe Berwyn Public Library supports the community by:

● Providing a welcoming and accessible environment in which all individuals receive professional service and assistance in fulfilling their educational, research, literacy and entertainment needs.

● Educating and empowering the public through the preservation and distribution of timely and accurate information as guided by the Principles of Intellectual Freedom.

Approved by the Berwyn Public Library Board of Trustees at their regular meeting on January 18, 2010.

Vision StatementAs a driving force behind a vibrant and diverse community, the Berwyn Public Library:

● Will strive to offer a stimulating sanctuary where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together to discover a love of lifelong learning.

● Will provide essential and vital services to our citizens in an ever-changing world. (“Mission/Vision”, 2010)

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According to Library Technology, the Berwyn Public Library collection contains 160,000 volumes. The library circulates 394,908 items per year. In addition, the library serves a population of 57,000 residents. (Library Technology.org, 2014) The goal of the new library building is to enable Berwyn residents to achieve “their educational, research, literacy, and entertainment needs […] [and] educat[e] and empower the public through the preservation and distribution of timely and accurate information as guided by the Principles of Intellectual Freedom.” (Ibid.)

Community Population and DemographicsThe Berwyn Public Library service area covers approximately 4 square miles and has a service population of 56,657. The median age is 33.1 with the male and female population almost evenly divided. Berwyn is a young community with 8% under the age of five. The largest population group is between the ages of 25 - 34 and represents 16.1% of the population. The median household income is $51,192 and 13.8% are below the poverty level.

DemographicsBerwyn boasts a multi-ethnic community of 56,657. Within that community, residents are:

● Hispanic - 33,676 (59.4%)● White alone - 17,592 (31.1%)● Black alone - 3,373 (6.0%)● Asian alone - 1,362 (2.4%)● Two or more races - 512 (0.9%)● American Indian alone - 66 (0.1%)● Other race alone - 74 (0.1%)

Ancestries: Italian (8.5%), German (6.4%), Irish (6.2%), Polish (5.8%), Czech (2.9%), and English (1.8%).

English speakers - Total:47.3% of residents of Berwyn speak English at home. 46.4% of residents speak Spanish at home. Of those residents, 58% speak English very well, 42% speak English less than very well). 6.2% of residents speak another language at home. Of those, 68% speak English very well; 32% speak English less than very well.

Building Program GoalsOn October 1, 2014, the LIS 779 team visited the Berwyn Public Library to evaluate the internal spaces and external architecture in order to assess the overall condition and design of the spaces relevant to library functions and users behaviors, shelving, furnishings, lighting, technology, and adjacencies. We consulted with then-Library

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Director Tammy Clausen regarding our building program project, after which she provided the Berwyn Public Library Strategic Summary Report and Renovation Plans (Welsch Engineering Inc.1993). Subsequent email conversations with interim Director Kathy Sexton revealed information about collections. During our visit, we spoke with library staff members to learn more about the challenges. The initial design problems of the library’s overall functional spaces was temporarily resolved by Interplan Practice Architects in order to meet the library’s needs during the 1990s.

A number of factors indicate the need for a new facility:

The population served by the library has increased

The demographics of the population have changed

Interior spaces are inflexible and neutral or poor adjacencies

The interior floor plan is tight, and discourages efficient traffic patterns within the building

Wayfinding is adequate but can be improved

Hexagonal building shape hinders service and potential growth

The building does not have enough space to meet the needs of users

The library building entrance does not appear to provide sufficient space for wheelchairs

There does not appear to be sufficient space for future growth of collections [print materials]

Insufficient natural daylight Study spaces do not promote

study; seating and work surfaces are limited with no mobility

Shelving in children’s area is ~8.5 feet high; children are unable to reach or see the books displayed above shelves

Spaces on the second floor are dimly lit and very secluded

Small exhibit cases placed in areas with no people traffic

This list format was derived from William Sannwald’s Checklist of Library Building Design Considerations. (2009)

We recommend constructing an entirely new library building because the current facility lacks flexibility in space design, adaptability, and the existing hexagonal architecture hinders the library’s overall potential to support the changes in which the community uses library space. Our building program goals include an overall expansion of the facility by approximately 9,755 square feet, which would accommodate Berwyn’s growing community of library users, allow for the expansion of all collections, ensure flexibility of space, and facilitate the performance of the library’s daily functions. An increase of 13.5% in architectural space would also provide the ability to increase the library’s overall collections by 10% and increase the capacity of natural lighting in the facility by incorporating structural “walls of glass” in its design. With this new building, we aim to achieve Fred Schlipf’s ideas of simplicity in design, strength, lighting, comfort, safety and security, flexibility in use, expandability, and low occupancy costs (2011).

Goals for Landscaping and Exterior

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Due to the modern and sleek architectural design of the building, careful landscape planning will be required. A mature oak tree, which will be preserved, located east of the proposed entrance will add a beautiful soft touch of nature to the glass exterior. Additional simple and easy to maintain plants incorporated into a pedestrian walkway leading to the grand entrance from the parking lot and street sidewalks will add interest and beauty to this urban setting.

Further, the local Kiwanis Club has indicated their desire to financially maintain special landscape features included in the building redesign for the next five years. Because to their ongoing commitment to the Berwyn Public Library, the team recommends a plaque be displayed in honor of the Kiwanis Club of Berwyn near the library entrance.

Goals for ComfortGoals for the new structure include the extensive use of glass to include as much natural light as possible; the existing repurposed structure has extremely small windows that do not allow a significant amount of natural light into the building. To achieve this goal of natural light, we urge the consideration of glass wherever possible.

To control the amount of light allowed in through the largely glass structure, an automated daylighting system should be considered. The entrance will have an open, inviting atmosphere and provide easy access to spaces on the first floor and access to the lower level and second floors via stairs and elevator.

Walls should be painted with no-emission paints in light colors to maximize the reflectivity of natural light in the building. Natural woods will connect the library with the outside world. We suggest using locally-sourced lumber whenever possible. Sound dampening ceiling tiles, wall coverings, and other materials should be utilized wherever possible and especially in the grand entrance, the children’s department, and the teen center.

Goals for SustainabilityA major goal for the building as a whole is sustainability and ecological responsibility; at least, LEED Silver certification is recommended. Any external glass should be coated for thermal efficiency and the building should, if possible, be heated by natural gas. Rainwater should be collected for waste disposal. Interior artificial lighting should be either light-emitting diode (LED) or compact fluorescent (CFL) and light areas at appropriate levels. Whenever possible, flooring should be a durable, responsibly-sourced or recycled material.

We propose the integration of sustainable materials internally and externally in order to maximize the buildings overall energy efficiency and long-term use by the community while minimizing the overall cost in design. The use of non-toxic finishes in durable materials will be used in the general interior design (furniture materials, wall finishes, shelves and cabinets, carts, office supplies; flooring, lighting, and architectural materials (internal and external), and landscaping.

Goals for Lighting

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The use of daylighting in the architectural design will help to reduce using electric lighting throughout the day. According to Gregg D. Anders, FAIA Southern Cal. Edison, daylighting is the controlled admission of natural light, direct sunlight, and diffuse skylight into a building to reduce electric lighting and saving energy. By providing a direct link to the dynamic and perpetually evolving patterns of outdoor illumination, daylighting helps create a visually stimulating and productive environment while reducing as much as one-third of total building energy costs (U.S. Dept. of Energy Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) , 2014).

We suggest floor-to-ceiling, energy-efficient glass windows (1) and tubular daylighting devices (2) (to direct daylight to central library spaces and to the lower level) as part of the daylight-responsive lighting control system (US.FEMP, 2014). The daylighting system has options for including light emitting diodes (LEDs) to provide daylight/illumination as needed by day (think cloudy days) and night.

Additionally, to increase the holistic appeal of the internal architectural design of spaces, and to add the diffusion of daylight within the first floor and second floor adjacencies, the installation of frameless glass walls with a translucent (20% gradient) finish on the glass surface to add privacy in library areas would be used, such as in offices and teen space. In keeping with the use of sustainable resources, the glass wall system would need to meet the AAMA testing standards for heavy pressure, wind load, and forced entry (NanaWall, 2014).  The addition of swing doors to the frameless glass wall tracking system is an option for any closed rooms on the second floor, such as the administrative offices, teen study rooms, and computer learning/training rooms.

Goals for FurnishingsIn terms of task seating and collaborative furniture, we recommend “low and roll” design features for a flexible and accessible space. Comfortable task seating that can accommodate collaborative and interactive work groups is required for all public service areas, particularly on the second floor and in the Teen Zone. Furnishings with AC power outlet and a USB port—allowing users with laptops, tablets, and phones to plug in and stay connected—is recommended.

Learn2 Seating (1) - Features a fully adjustable, dual-handed work surface. Navigate to www.ki.com for more information.

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Acrobat Crescent Desk (2) by Smith System enables students to gather around resources and work in groups of two or more. Up to three desks can cluster around for shared connectivity. Navigate to www.smithsystem.com for more information.

Bretford MOTIV (3) Powered Lounge Seating by Demco offers a more stationary option, complete with AC power outlets. Navigate to www.demco.com for more information.

Furniture should, in all cases, be easily cleaned and moved. The following table lists the furniture recommended for the library, including all public areas.

Furniture Required by Area and Type

Area Type Quantity SF Required

Computer Center Task Chairs 30 750

Early Learning Ctr. Floor Cushions 8 200

Task seating 8 200

Lounge 6 210

Youth Services Task Seating 16 300

Study Carrel 10 300

Lounge 6 210

Quiet Reading Area Lounge 10 280

Table Seating 8 200

Study Nooks Study Carrel 16 300

Lounge 8 280

Table Seating 20 500

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Teen Zone Task Chairs 12 300

Lounge 4 140

Table Seating 10 250

Total 172 4,420

Square footage estimates were based on Whole Building Design Guide recommendations.

Goals for Children’s Collections, Youth Services, Study/Activity Spaces and Youth Learning Center   We require 2,000 square feet on the first floor for these adjacent spaces. The spaces will enable children to read, learn, and play in an educational, constructive, pleasant environment. Daylighting will be present in this section of the library, but staff will also be able to adjust electric window shades. The Children’s Activity Space will be designed for storytime activities and class visits.

Reading programs, featured guests and Storytellers, small musical performances or acoustic sets, puppet shows, show and tell, and children’s small theatrical productions can be featured in Activity Room which includes a small platform/stage [approx. 2’H x 12’W] in a natural birch wood finish and equipped with safety outlets behind the stage. To manage the acoustics in these general areas [and throughout the building] a sound management system will be installed to control sound levels in all areas.

A glass wall system will be used minimally in these spaces for safety, and not placed in the open communal/play areas. Mobile dividing walls will be used to divide spaces and/or display artwork. A shelf-rail System will also display children’s artwork or featured books.

The rows between the children’s collection stacks load will be between 3’ and 6’ and approximately 4’ between the end-caps at main aisles. Picture books and easy readers will be shelved at a lower height of 42” with 12” nominal shelf depth for picture books and 10” depth for easy readers. Picture book displays would allow staff to show book covers.

Shelving for this space would be constructed of wood with a resilient natural birch finish for easy cleaning. End-caps can be finished with graphics. The shelving for Juvenile Fiction and Non-Fiction can be at 66” height of the same material in cantilever-style. The

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goal for shelving children’s volume types would be 20 volumes per linear foot of shelf for biographies, easy readers, picture books, and foreign language; juvenile fiction/non-fiction at 13 volumes per linear foot; juvenile biography, juvenile Spanish fiction and non-fiction and paperbacks at 16 volumes per linear foot.

Adult and teen shelving will be similar, but 72” high. For adult collections, a standard metric is approximately twelve volumes per linear foot. Therefore, to house an eventual print collection of 97,032 items, we require approximately 8,086 feet of shelf space, resultant in about 540 3-foot ranges of five shelves apiece. (https://libraryarchitecture.wikispaces.com/Shelving, 2014)

A usable metric for housing audiovisual resources is 30 items per linear foot of shelf space To house an eventual collection of 19,836 audiovisual resources, therefore, we require an additional 45 3-foot ranges of five shelves apiece.

Aisles between shelves should be at least 48” wide to comply with ADA accessibility standards. In high traffic areas, aisles must be wide enough to allow two wheelchairs to pass at the same time. All shelving should be at least 8”-10” deep, double-sided and cantilevered in design, and media specific.

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Proposed Floor PlansBased on user needs and incorporation of flexibility in the programming, assignable adjacencies our team proposes the following floor plans.

First Floor

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Second Floor

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Lower Level

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Comparison ChartsTotal Area:

Building Area

Berwyn Public LibraryCurrent Building Size

Per square ft.

New Berwyn Public Library Team Proposed Size:

Per square ft.

Total Increase Amount:

Per square ft.

Total Ft2: 32,245 42,000 *+9,755

Lower Level: 10,293.5 14,000 +3,706.5

1rst. Floor: 10,293.5 14,000 +3,706.5

2nd. Floor: 11,658 14,000 +2,342

Information listed under the current building size was obtained from the Berwyn Public Library Renovation Plans.

Collections:

According to Library Technology, the Berwyn Public Library is affiliated with the library system that serves the township, and the collection of the library contains 160,000 volumes. The library circulates 394,908 items annually. In addition, the library serves a population of 57,000 residents (Library Technology.org, 2014).

Collection CurrentCollection Size

ProposedCollection Size:

Total Increase Amount:

Adult Print 88,211 97,032 8,821

Adult non-Print

18,033 19,836 1,803

Children Print 44,044 45,448 4,404

Children non-Print

7,040 7,144 704

Spanish - Adult

1,808 1,988 180

Spanish - Juvenile

2,783 2,961 278

Total 161,919 174,409 (10% growth) 16,190

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New Architectural Design Architecturally, this new Berwyn Public Library building is a modern, sleek, glass structure. It utilizes natural light very effectively and provides an architectural landmark in Berwyn. It is a distinct departure from the previous building, which was never conceived as—nor meant to be—a library. Due to fiscal restrictions and failed referendums, BPL retrofitted the building for library use and took up residence in the late 1990s.

The new Berwyn Public Library will be a purpose-built, cutting edge, environmentally responsible, efficient, flexible, and forward-looking structure. The intention of the building is to remain relevant now and adaptable for the future.

The design is inspired by a pair of other buildings: the new Central Library (1) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and the 2007 addition to the Newhouse School (2) —Newhouse 3—at Syracuse University. Both buildings use glass to great effect, placing a premium on natural light and the comfort of patrons. While Newhouse 3 is not a library—it is actually a lecture hall, study center, faculty office building, and student union—it exhibits many of the same characteristics that now drive library design.

Both buildings focus on the needs of the patron (or user) and create details and spaces to fulfill those needs. Both buildings offer a variety of spaces, of seating (both soft and task), and of atmospheres. See suggested floor plans starting on page 13 for more details regarding the design of the library.

Design ConsiderationsWe propose integrated use of sustainable technologies in the library spaces factoring flexibility and adaptability to future needs. This could be made possible by incorporating IT structures and infrastructures that allow spaces to be networked, reconfigured or modified as necessary, and that supports user productivity in workspaces (based on the Whole Building Design Guide, 2014). The following technological recommendations include the installation of user-based technical and electronic systems that can be accessed, controlled, and adjusted by staff rather than contractors (WBDG, 2014). Task lighting in spaces can also be monitored via staff’s computer, and the library building will support WIFI wireless technology ranging throughout all floor levels, with capacity to reach an external range surrounding BPL.

The team’s new BPL building ‘plans’ to utilize open controls protocols that allow networking the HVAC, fire alarm, lighting, and electrical power for an ideal cost-effective initiative that would help to improve the buildings efficiency (source of info: WBDG, 2014). In order to determine the kind of technologies to install during our space planning phase, an assessment of each service area and programmable space, including activities,

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functional needs, and space occupancy will need to be determined in order to meet our technological goals. We recommend that the following sustainability codes be applied: International Building Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Green Construction Code, and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED).

AdjacenciesThe library will program on three floors—lower level, the first floor and the second floor—with active services and spaces on all levels. The first and second floor will hold circulating collections and the lower level will be a community creative learning space.

First Floor Spaces Community Room Computer Center Tech Training Café Circulation Materials Handling Access Services Maintenance Children’s Collections Children’s Early Learning Center Children’s Story/Activity Room Youth Services DVD Kiosk

Second Floor Spaces

Adult Services and Collections Quiet Reading Area Media Center Administration and Conference Room

Lower Level Creative Community Center (CCC) Friends of the Library Teen Zone and Teen Collections Storage

The following adjacency diagrams (pp. 12-14) represent our requirements for the library.

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Summary of Spaces

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This portion of the document lists each space required, along with square footage. Subsequent tables pertain to the second floor and lower level. Total required area is defined, both in assignable and unassignable areas. For Room Data Sheets, turn to page.

1st Floor Space SF

1.1 Grand Entrance 300

1.2 Concierge 50

1.3 Community Room (dividable) 1,100

1.4 Cafe Kiosk 150

1.5 Restrooms USF

2.1 Computer Center 1,000

2.2 Technology Training Room 500

2.3 IT Office 150

3.1 Story Room / Activity Room 500

3.2 Early Learning Center 400

3.3 Children’s Collections 3,300

3.4 Youth Services 600

3.5 Help Desk 150

4.1 Youth Workroom 600

4.2 Youth Storage 100

4.3 DVD Kiosk 75

5.1 Staff Room and Lockers 600

5.2 Restrooms USF

5.3 Circulation 500

5.4 Materials Handling 750

5.5 Access Services 750

5.6 Maintenance 500

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1st Floor Assignable

11,625

2nd Floor Space SF

6.1 Restrooms USF

6.2 Adult Service Desk 200

6.3 Adult Collections 5,500

6.4 Quiet Reading Area 600

6.7 Quiet Study Rooms 800

6.8 Media Center 800

6.9 Study Nooks 600

7.1 Adult Workroom 800

7.2 Conference Room 400

7.3 Administration 800

2nd FloorAssignable

10,500

Lower Level Space SF

8.1 Teen Zone 1,000

8.2 Teen Study Rooms 400

8.3 Teen collections 850

9.1 Creative Community Center (CCC) 2,000

9.2 Professional Demo Kitchen 500

9.3 Friends of the Library 1,000

9.4 Restrooms USF

10.1 Storage (and future growth) 4,000

Lower Level 9,750

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Assignable

Assignable Square Feet 31,875

Unassignable Square Feet (26% of Total) 10,125

Total Square Feet 42,000

Interior DesignThe interior design is centered on the presence of natural light. The building is primarily glass, with a stairway and elevator accessing the second floor and lower level from the first floor.

Materials inside are naturally finished in durable, easily cleanable finishes. Service desks are sleek and modern, and walls are covered with crisp white no-emission paints, which serve to reflect the natural light already poring into the building. Spaces flow smoothly into one another and wayfinding is clearly visible, both through signage and through changes in furniture, materials, and noise level.

Sightlines and WayfindingWhenever possible, sightlines should be clear. Staff should be able to view as much of the surrounding area as possible. Wayfinding requires ADA- and AASL-compliant signage, clear directions, and consistency in format, color, height, font, and material. Follow ADA and AASL standards. Exterior signage should be consistent in font and made of a durable, weatherproof material.

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Selected Room Data SheetsThe documents in this section identify the requirements for a variety of public spaces. While not a complete listing of the spaces in the new Berwyn Public Library, these pages reflect the requirements for several commonly used public spaces. See the summary of spaces on page 11 for a complete listing of all library spaces. This document focuses on public spaces in a new Berwyn Public Library.

1.1 Grand Entrance

Size: 300 SF

The Grand Entrance is the single point of control for public access and exiting and should be positioned in coordination with the materials theft system. The entrance should be welcoming and large enough for visitors to orient themselves to the space.

The floor should be a hard surface and inset floor grates or floor mats should be considered for the entrance to facilitate dirt removal as people enter the building.

The entrance needs a covered area to protect visitors from the elements as they enter and exit the building.

Occupancy: 20 – 100

Adjacencies: 1.2 Concierge1.3 Community Room1.4 Café Kiosk1.5 Public Restrooms Stairs & Elevator

Proximity to: 1.2 Concierge

Sight line between: 1.2 Concierge and 3.5 Help Desk

Acoustics: Conversations generated by incoming and outgoing visitors need to be buffered so that noise does not bleed into the Library’s public spaces. Use of acoustical ceiling tiles or other dampening materials should be considered.

Flooring: Avoid floor surfaces that generate loud noise and harsh acoustical reverberation. Consider nora® rubber flooring

Lighting: General lighting levels of 15 to 20 foot-candles required.

Technology: Material theft detection devices will be installed at the security point at the interior edge of the lobby at the entrance.

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1.2 Concierge Desk

Size: 150 SF

The concierge desk serves as an information point for library patrons after entering the library via the grand entrance. It is staffed and provides directional information, hours of operation information, and connects patrons with other departments and collections in the library. It is centrally located in the lobby and adjacent to the stairs and elevator, the children’s collection, multiple self-check stations, the help desk, the technology center, and the community room on the first floor.

Occupancy: 1 staff person.

Proximity to: 1.1 Grand Entrance1.3 Café Kiosk1.5 Public RestroomsStairs and Elevator

Sightline Between: Stairs and elevator1.1 Grand Entrance1.3 Café Kiosk3.3 Children’s Collections

Seating/Furnishings: 1 podium, approximately 48” tall, with an appropriately heighted task

chair.

Adjacencies: 1.3 Community Room1.4 Café Kiosk 1.5 Public Restrooms Stairs and Elevator

Acoustics: See grand entrance room data sheet.

Flooring: See grand entrance room data sheet.

Lighting: 1 LED or CFL desk lamp. For overhead lighting, see Grand Entrance Room Data Sheet.

Technology: A concierge podium wired for voice and data, with a telephone. One staff workstation for quick information retrieval.

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1.3 Community Room(s)

Size: 1,100 SF

This space will be the library’s primary room for events and needs to be designed to support a wide variety of activities. Some programs will attract large groups and others will appeal to smaller groups of 25 - 50. The space must be dividable into two spaces using movable wall partitions with acoustical panels. Wall partitions should be configured to split the space into two areas, one larger and one smaller area. Both spaces need to be accessible directly from the Public Entrance/Lobby, each with separate lighting and AV projection controls. When the entire space is used, it needs to accommodate an audience of up to 100 adults seated in stacking chairs arranged in auditorium style.

The space needs to provide good line of sight for all program attendees with no columns or other obstructions that would limit visibility.

Carpet tile flooring is recommended.

Occupancy: 100

Seating/Furnishings: 100 stacking chairs

Adjacencies: 1.1 Public Entrance/Lobby1.4 Café Kiosk1.5 Public Restrooms

Acoustics: This space will be used for programs, lectures, music performances and other public events. It needs to be designed and finished to promote excellent acoustical conditions throughout the space.

Lighting: Provide a minimum 30 – 40 foot candles average with all lights on and with separately controlled lighting and spotlighting for the front of the room. Lighting should be dimmable to produce approximately 2 foot-candles for note taking during presentations. The note-taking lights should not spill into the projection screen.

Technology: WiFi access required. Must be equipped with adjustable lighting levels, video projector, projection screen and assistive listening device capability. Wired and cabled to support a variety of audiovisual activities, including cable TV reception, distance learning events, video programming and interactive demonstrations of web resources. Provide standard, wall-mounted communications and power outlets along each perimeter wall as well as recessed, flush floor-mounted communications and power outlets, spaced to support the room’s intended uses and occupancy levels.

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3.3 Children’s Storytime and Activity Space

Size: 950 SF

This communal, open Children’s space is designed for storytime activities and class visits. Reading programs, featured guests, storytellers, small musical performances, puppet shows, show and tell, and small children’s theatrical productions can be featured in this space.

The space includes a children’s play and activity area. Walls surrounding the storytime stage should be dividable and acoustically soundproofed. A shelf-rail system for displaying children’s artwork or featured books is incorporated into the space. The storytime stage should be a low, wooden platform equipped with electrical outlets (covered for safety) and adjustable lighting.

Carpet tile flooring is recommended.

Occupancy: 50

Seating/Furnishings: Stackable plastic chairs for 20. Cloth and steel frame “back jack” chairs (see

Appendix I) for 30. Storage solutions for back jacks and wall space for stackable chairs must be included. Animal-themed child-height (29”) activity tables with appropriate seating options. Shelving for ~52,000 items.

Sightlines/Proximity: 3.11

Acoustics: Ensure effective acoustic separation from external Children’s space areas and building.

Lighting: Proven efficiency, natural daylight. Recessed paneled lighting and spotlights surrounding ceilings along the walls.

Technology: Audible building sound speakers. Install electrical outlets above 6ft. on walls with safety covers. Complies with UL Electrical Standards.

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6.3 Adult Collections

Size: 5,500 SF

This will be a well-defined space with effective, ADA- and AASL-compliant signage. Shelving for ~100,000 print items (books, magazines, and newspapers). Shelving for books will be 72” tall, cantilevered, and at least 10” deep. Shelving for magazines and newspapers will be 48” tall, double-sided, and slanted with storage space underneath for recent back issues. Each range will have simple end panels in an ecologically responsible and affordable material.

Recycled rubber flooring is recommended; consider nora® rubber flooring.

Occupancy: 0-50

Seating/Furnishings: A mixture of soft and task furniture for at least 20 people in various locations. Task furniture should accommodate at least 4 people and be rectangular or square in shape. Soft seating should be easily cleaned and moved. Low coffee tables will accompany soft seating.

Sightlines/Proximity: Stairs and Elevator

Service DeskQuiet Reading Area

Lighting: Up-lighting bar-type fixtures with light-emitting diode (LED) or compact fluorescent (CFL) bar-type fixtures over collection areas. Daylighting will be utilized whenever possible and particularly on the east side of the building LED or CFL table lamps at study tables. LED or CFL pendant-type fixtures over service points.

Surfaces: Walls should be covered with low- or no-emission paints in light colors to maximize the reflectivity of natural light and the efficiency of lighting systems.

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8.1 Teen Zone and Teen Collections

Size: 1,000 SF

This purpose-designed space for teens will include Task and collaborative furniture for 30 people. Shelving for small A/V collection and print collections of approximately 200-250 items each. Sound absorptive carpet, wall construction, and ceiling construction. An independent service desk will serve the Teen Zone; the Teen Zone will be open only when it is staffed. A glass wall should enclose the Teen Zone; the glass wall should be emblazoned with a design.

Sightlines/Proximity: Stairs and Elevator

Teen Service DeskRestrooms

Technology: Wifi access and wiring/cabling for 6 27” iMac Apple computers equipped with video editing software. 1 50” flat-screen high-definition television, wall-mounted, for video gaming, movie screenings, and “watch parties” for some sports events, concerts, etc. (this requires a library subscription to a cable provider). One Xbox 360 console with Kinect, 1 Wii U console, and 5-10 games per console will serve as a gaming center. One collaborative table with network technology, 2 flat-panel displays, and video conferencing/Skype capability will allow collaboration on projects.

Seating/Furnishings: Soft seating will be a mix of couches, poufs, armchairs, and upholstered

booths. Collaborative tables and task tables will be wired with AC outlets. Computer workstations will be ergonomically designed and partitioned by low, opaque walls. All soft seating and work chairs will be moveable and preferably on wheels. Other furniture (task tables, collaborative tables) will be stationary.

Lighting: LED or CFL pendant-style light fixtures in interesting shapes will be used over seating areas. Floor lamps will also be used.

Surfaces: Walls should be covered with low- or no-emission paints in bright colors. The Floors and ceilings should help differentiate the space from other areas on the second floor and highlight space for the targeted demographic.

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Resource List

ADA and Libraries (2014). Retrieved from http://www.ala.org/tools/ada-and-libraries

https://harvester.census.gov/imls/search/Library_Detail.asp?ID=IL0046&ThisType=LS&LibraryName=berwyn%20Public%20Library&LibraryID=&Address=&City=&State=IL&Zip=&Distance=&County=&PhoneAreaCode=&Phone=&ResultSetNumber=1&LibTypes=LS%2CCE%2CBR%2CBS%2CBM&StateSelectedIndex=14&procqstr=1

http://www.berwynlibrary.org/sites/default/files/BPL_History.pdf

http://www.berwynista.com/tag/berwyn-historic-preservation-commission/

http://www.mysuburbanlife.com/2014/11/22/montoya-the-economic-future-looks-bright-in-berwyn/atpn2zn/

http://www.ala.org/tools/ada-and-libraries

International Code Council ICC. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.iccsafe.org/iccforums/Pages/default.aspx?action=ViewTopics&fid=8

Lervolino, L. (1997). Interplan Practice Uses Extensive Rehab Experience to Convert an Office Building into the New Berwyn Public Library. Inland Architect. Retrieved from http://web.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail/detail?vid=3&sid=e9b67764-8f89-417e-8e88-5a91

Library.org (2014). A directory of libraries throughout the world. Retrieved from http://librarytechnology.org/libraries/library.pl?id=7814

Pech, E. (2008). History of the Berwyn Public Library. Retrieved from http://www.berwynlibrary.org/library-histo

Schlipf, F. (2011). The Dark Side of Library Architecture: The Persistence of Dysfunctional Designs. Library Trends. Retrieved from http://www.iccsafe.org/iccforums/Pages/default.aspx?action=ViewTopics&fid=8

“Shelving.” (2014). Celsus: A Library Architecture Resource. Retrieved from https://libraryarchitecture.wikispaces.com/Shelving

Siems, E. and Demmers, L. (2014). Library Stacks and Shelving. Libris Design Project. Retrieved from http://www.librisdesign.org/docs/ShelvingforLibraries.pdf

Stewart, C. (2014). Defining types of library space. PowerPoint presentation.

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United States Census Bureau. (2014, Dec 4). Berwyn (city), IIllinois. Retrieved from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/17/1705573.html

WBDG Productive Committee. (2014). Design for the Changing Workplace. Whole Building Design Guide. Retrieved from http://www.wbdg.org/design/design_change.php

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Appendix I: Furniture Recommendations

Children’s Furniture

“Back jack” chairs are inexpensive, easy to clean, and compact for storage. Use for storytime or other children’s programming.

A storyteller utilizes a storytime stage. Attendees are arranged around the low wooden platform on soft seating or back jacks.

A book display that doubles as a reading nook. Displays books on both sides. www.openingthebook.com

Animal-themed task tables provide surfaces near the storytime room.

Service Points

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We recommend using Demco’s TechnoLink line of modular service desks, found at http://www.demcointeriors.com/images/pdf/products-technolink/technolink_brochure_8pg.pdf. The line is sleek and modern, and fits the aesthetic for the new building well. Additionally, the desks can be arranged as staff requires.

Soft Seating and Task SeatingIn terms of soft seating, Steelcase’s “Jenny” round chair offers comfort and easy mobility.

Steelcase’s “Wing” chair would work well in the Quiet Reading Area.

And Steelcase’s “Passarelle” sofa offers an inviting seat, too.

For task seating, we recommend simple chairs like Agati Furniture’s “White” line of furniture.

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The simplicity of the design will complement the new library well; chairs like this work well in many locations.

The “Jet” chair would also work well and is stackable.

Agati’s “Primary” collection offers a variety of table and chair combinations and carries through the right lines and design sensibilities for our library.

ShelvingDemco’s “TotaLibra” steel shelving system offers the flexibility of design and multipurpose flexibility that we desire in a shelving solution.

Appendix II: Lighting RecommendationsQuiet Reading/Seating Areas

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Steelcase’s “Campfire” lamp would work well in the quiet reading area as well as other seating areas.

We also suggest Steelcase’s “Soto LED” collection for a task lighting solution.

Kichler’s “Drum” pendant light fixture works well for overhead lighting in seating and traffic areas.

We suggest the “Vertex M5” light bar by Litecontrol for over-stack lighting.

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