Planning Library Spaces: A Practical Guide for Library Building Projects (Bloomsbury, 2025)
is a book designed for librarians, trustees, local government
officials, architects, and interior designers who are designing or
planning to build, renovate, or reconfigure library spaces. Most
librarians embark upon a library building project with little experience
in space planning, architecture, or construction. Written by a
registered architect and professional librarian, this is a guidebook for
librarians embarking on a library building project. It includes a brief
history of library facilities, placing them in the context of public
buildings. An introduction to library planning principles and a
discussion of library design concepts and trends are presented,
including the impact of the 2020 pandemic on library design. Sections on
working with architects, building design/construction terminology and
the basics of reading architectural drawings provide insight into
unfamiliar jargon and visual communication. Extensive illustrations and
photographs show examples of library layouts and furniture and
equipment, and the final chapter addresses the challenges inherent in a
major building project. As library services change, buildings must adapt
to accommodate and provide these new innovations. Buildings are living
things, and this book will offer guidance to those embarking on a
project of any scale or size.
Guest: Lauren Stara is a registered architect and a
librarian, specializing in library building design. Her past library
experience includes everything from front desk clerk to director. As a
Library Building Specialist for the Massachusetts Board of Library
Commissioners, Lauren administers grant funds and provides technical
assistance and advice from initial planning through construction of
public library projects. She writes, consults, and speaks on library
design, service design, and future trends in libraries and is coauthor
of Responding to Rapid Change in Libraries: A User Experience Approach (2020).
Host: Dr. Michael LaMagna is the Information Literacy Program &
Library Services Coordinator and Professor of Library Services at
Delaware County Community College.
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