An Introduction to Architectural Design: Libraries

J. Paul Guyer, P.E., R.A., Fellow ASCE, Fellow AEI

Course Outline

1.  Introduction
2.  Planning and Programming 
3.  General Design Guidelines
4.  Functional Area Guidelines
5.  Illustrative Diagrams

This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

• Learn about typical space allowances for small, medium and large libraries;
• Learn about the five core functional areas in libraries;
• Learn typical site size, configuration and orientation requirements;
• Learn about architectural criteria for the circulation desk, circulation spaces, general collection stacks, reference desk, reference collections, and on-line public access catalog (OPAC) computer stations;
• Learn planning and design requirements for reading areas, audio/visual (A/V) viewing stations, A/V collections, special collections, periodicals;
• Learn design basics for microform viewing stations, small group study areas, display/bulletin board areas, reproduction areas, and fax/scanning areas;
• Learn about information service areas including computer workstation areas, computer labs, equipment, and related infrastructure, as required;
• Learn how to provide a local area network (LAN) room for servers, wiring, backups, homepage administration, virtual out processing, and report generation;
• Learn the basic features of children’s areas including computer workstations, toys developmentally appropriate for children, special reading collections, A/V materials and listening stations, and areas for group activities, such as storytelling or reading programs;
• Learn how the Americans with Disabilities Act Architectural Guidelines will affect the construction, additions, and renovation of existing facilities;
• Learn how to incorporate sustainability principles in your design, such as renewable energy, daylighting, passive and active solar heating, natural ventilation, and photovoltaics;
• Learn how to incorporate outdoor reading areas, patios, furniture, and other outdoor amenities into your design;
• Learn techniques for effectively incorporating book and audio/visual (A/V) collection boxes into a library;
• Learn parameters required for service vehicles and service access areas; and
• Learn the basics of building organization and circulation.

Intended Audience

This course is intended for engineers, architects, landscape architects and construction professionals who want understand the fundamentals of planning and design for libraries.

Benefit for Attendee

This course will give engineers, architects and construction professionals an introduction to fundamental concepts for planning and design of libraries, including new construction, renovations, and adaptation of existing facilities.

Course Introduction

This is an introduction to the principles, issues and approaches to planning and design of libraries of various sizes.

About Course Author

Paul Guyer is a registered mechanical engineer, civil engineer, fire protection engineer and architect with over 35 years experience in the design of buildings and related infrastructure.  For an additional 9 years he was a senior-level advisor to the California Legislature on infrastructure and capital outlay issues.  He has designed and supervised the design of hundreds of construction projects requiring the preparation of detailed working drawings and specifications for federal, state and local public agencies and private companies.  He is a graduate of Stanford University and has held numerous national, state and local positions with the American Society of Civil Engineers and National Society of Professional Engineers.

Course Content

The course content is contained in the following PDF file:

An Introduction to Architectural Design: Libraries

Please click on the above underlined hypertext to view, download or print the document for your study. Because of the large file size, we recommend that you first save the file to your computer by right clicking the mouse and choosing "Save Target As ...", and then open the file in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you still experience any difficulty in downloading or opening this file, you may need to close some applications or reboot your computer to free up some memory.

 

Course Summary

This course will give you information you can use immediately on library planning and design projects.

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

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DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.

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