The Hard Truth of Designing Libraries

They say to find something you love to do SO much that you'd do it for free (if you could afford to do so of course).  I have specialized in the design of Libraries for about a decade now.  And when it comes to Library design, there are things I love about it and things that aren't so great. 

However, let me preface this blog post with the following statement:  The reason I have made my specialty in Library design is because they have been some of the best projects I've ever worked on.  Honestly, the teams I've worked with have all been amazing and they make this the best job ever.

But they aren't always the easiest and I thought I'd break down the basic Library design project so you can see just what it's all about from an Interior Designer's perspective.

So here's the hard truth:

Libraries are no harder or easier to build than any other project.  Commercial design projects are all unique and all similar simultaneously.  But there are things about each type of project that define them.

LIBRARY DESIGN PROJECT PROS

• Any staff I've ever worked with know what they need.  They are not confused or caught up in the dreaming process because they've been talking about their needs with their team for months if not years at the point of design programming and they're fully aware of what needs to happen in their Library.  They may not know exactly how to achieve their end goals but they can tell me what they want.
• They seem to appreciate a helping hand and listening ear from their design team.  They don't want to be told what to do with their space without team discussions.  They want to be heard but they're impeccably ready to work with me and begin the collaboration process to get their ideas moving forward.
• They also know their patrons.  I can ask anything about the function of the Young Adult area for example and I know that they will tell me how often their YAs show up, when to expect them and what materials they're most interested in.  And it's like this for every section in their Library.  The programming process is almost always smooth when it comes to my Library teams.
• They're generally realistic about their budget.  They know what they have to spend and they are always willing to compromise when it's necessary.  I have one particular client that would always say, "it would be nice to have the extra soft seating here, but if we find out it's not in budget, we don't HAVE to have it."  She's amazing.  They understand the money is usually taxpayer money and state funded money so they're very responsible with what they have.
• There's always room for creativity.  This is true with any project that involves children and youth.  Something fun is naturally desired in these kinds of spaces, so as long as we aren't breaking the budget, we can get pretty creative.
• And finally, people truly love their Libraries.  They appreciate the space and want to be in it.  So when you can be a part of creating a space that isn't just needed but also wanted, it's quite a rewarding experience.

LIBRARY DESIGN PROJECT CONS

• There is NEVER enough space.  I know this can be typical for a lot of commercial projects, but for Libraries it always seems to be the common denominator.   We're constantly trying to squeeze in as much space as we can and it's honestly never enough.  Not to mention Libraries are growing on a regular basis and even if we start out with enough space, I can assure you that in a year or so, more will be needed.
• Funding is a nightmare.  There's never enough space and there's never enough money in the budget.  And Library pros are frugal.  They can get the job done on pennies on the dollar.  But in order to put together a beautiful and functional space for the community as it is truly needed, it costs far more money than they have.  This is a common point of discussion all throughout the building process.  Progress meetings are never had that the numbers aren't covered in detail.  How much have we spent?  How much do we have left?  How much is in the contingency?  And so on.
• The next difficulty is one that depends from location to location.  And that's the outside support they may or may not receive from their upper echelons of power.  For example, I've worked with Libraries with incredible support from the county they're a part of.  These officials do whatever they can to help their Libraries grow and thrive in any way they can.  Sometimes it's through direct funding and other times it's through hard work where they hit the ground running and try to connect the right people to the right project just to get it built.  And then in the next breath I meet a Library team that tells me their officials have absolutely no interest in the overall health of their local Library and it's like pulling teeth to get anything done.  This may be the worst con for a local Library project and it just stinks.
• And possibly my biggest con as a designer is that the staff often gets shafted in the design process because of the already minimal space for everything else.  I try very hard to make sure we consider staff needs and back-of-house design when we start our programming phase.  We certainly make the most of any space we can carve out for them. 

FINAL THOUGHTS

Designing Libraries, like any other building, has to be a well-thought-out task.  It requires a ton of programming which just so happens to be something Library professionals do best.  I fully embrace all my Library projects and take great comfort in the fact that I know my Library pros have already invested their time and energy into their project before I ever even arrive on the scene. 

I know there will be hindrances and setbacks.  We all know that.  We're going to have to fight the funds battle.  We're going to have to make use of every last nook and cranny of that building in the most effective and efficient ways possible.  And hopefully not, but we may even have to contend with the local officials on occasion. 

But what I do know is that my Library clients will know what they need and also what they want before we ever even begin.  They're going to already know their patrons' requests and be ready to explore how best to achieve those needs.  And they will have a team.  A brilliant team of trusted staff members that will help them achieve the best possible Library they can get.  

And it will happen every single time.