How to Design Your Dream Library - Part 1

Designing your dream Library is all about planning well.  Knowing where to start and what to focus on is the best way to do that. In this design series, I'll teach you how to best approach your dream Library design to maximize the full effect of your design intent so you get exactly what you're looking for.  To keep you laser focused, I'll break things down into categories that I use when tackling a new design.

DEFINE YOUR STYLE

There are technically three very broad design styles.  If you've followed me in the past, these won't be new to you.  The key however is breaking down those styles further to figure out more precisely what you're looking for.  If you haven't done so in the past or are curious if your style has changed recently, start with my design style quiz to kick things off.

Take the What's My Library Design Style Quiz!

The three broad categories are:

1.)  Contemporary,

2.)  Traditional, and

3.)  Transitional

These are pretty self-explanatory except maybe transitional which is basically just a simple balance of the first two styles.  Most people fall in this category - commercially speaking.  There are tons of sub-categories for these styles and once you figure out what your broad range is, you can do further research to learn what your more specific, narrowed-down style is.  But be specific with your searches.  Try things like, "contemporary library design styles" or "what are the main traditional design styles" just to get you started.

KNOW HOW YOUR LIBRARY FUNCTIONS

Any thorough Library staff already has a handle on this, but for anyone who may not be aware, this is all about:

1.)  knowing what activities work best in back of house versus front of house.  What makes your space operate like clock work and what totally throws you off balance?

2.)  Know where your different departments work best.  Where should children and teens be located and how do they work best with adult spaces?  How do you handle security issues and what supervision or assistance is needed where?

Knowing how your Library functions is very important.  I recommend sitting down with two of your most trusted staff members and starting on a list as well as an adjacencies diagram so you'll be able to see clearly what works best where.  This will open up such great discussions too.

KNOW YOUR BUDGETARY LIMITATIONS

This one goes without saying but I encourage you to take the time to really explore your budget as well as funding options.  Know what things cost.  Do your homework and research how you can cut costs as well as increase your budget where needed.  Brainstorm with people or groups of people that love your Library as much as you do.  There may be people very willing to create new ways to increase funds.  

Next week I'll explore this topic further but for now, these are great jumping-off points.  I do highly recommend you take the design style quiz though to get you pointed in the right direction.  Other than that, I challenge you to do a little homework and begin brainstorming and making your lists.