Public Library Buildings: The Librarian’s Go-To Guide for Construction, Expansion, and Renovation Projects

This go-to guide covers the entire process of building or renovating a public library-from initial planning, to maintaining the completed space, to measuring success.

In light of current social and technological shifts, libraries are reinventing themselves. Meeting place, makerspace, community center, cultural hub, multimedia lender-today’s public library is all of these and more. Whether your library is undertaking a simple renovation or redesign or looking at a full-blown building project, the voice of the librarian is important to the project, and you need to understand both the processes involved and the questions to ask.

Beginning with the development of a pre-construction vision, the book guides you through the entire process. It covers everything from making a case for the project to the authorities and the community through fundraising, budgeting, and site and team selection. You’ll read about space programming, the design phase, pre-construction preparation, staff management, and moving the library, as well as about post-construction management and maintenance. Measures of success are included, as are helpful forms and an invaluable glossary of relevant construction terms. With this guide in hand, you and your team can plan efficiently, avoid common pitfalls, and create a library you and your community will love for many years to come.

Provides you with an informal, easy-to-read, practical guide that addresses the specific needs of public librarians looking to reimagine their library space

Takes a holistic approach that covers every step from initial vision to evaluating success

Offers practical, nuts-and-bolts advice from an experienced veteran of the process

Helps you to claim a seat at the table-and shows you why the input of librarians is so important