Some key things to think about for reconfiguring the library space…

1. Conducive to learning
2. Student/staff focused but still looks after the needs of library staff
3. Open
4. Comfortable

A brief explanation of these concepts is available here: http://connect.educause.edu/Library/EDUCAUSE+Quarterly/Commons20LibrarySpacesDes/45534?time=1203573101

Joan Lippincott recommends considering these things in planning library spaces:

• Develop a vision related to learning
• Conduct a needs assessment
• Develop goals
• Design an assessment plan
• Determine appropriate partners
• Define and gain resources
• Determine the location
• Define what you want users to be able to do
• Define services to offer
• Determine staff needs
• Develop the floor plan
• Plan the technology (network, hardware, software)
• Choose furniture

Unfortunately our budget isn’t for actual renovations but a budget for a plan. So now it is time to get those thinking caps on.

Just some of our considerations. I know most of you have been through this process before. Hopefully this will be a much more fruitful process.

According to Evans and Layzell Ward (2004) our new or revamped facility should be:

• flexible
• adaptable
• expandable
• accessible
• compact
• stable
• secure!
• attractive
• economical
• comfortable
• varied