You've spent your life working in and coping with your library building ... and you've been ignored when it comes to planning the spaces that you work in. Schlipf and Moorman provide their rules for planning and evaluating plans for new buildings and renovations. Building decisions-- whether good or bad-- can last centuries. Discover some of the ways you can reduce your chance of regretting-- or outright hating-- those decisions.

Part I. Introduction : More than two hundred snappy rules for good and evil in library architecture -- Part II. About library buildings : The library construction process : Motivations ; Building programs ; Building consultants ; Architects and design ; Construction options and site selection ; Dysfunctional design concepts ; Schematic designs ; Renderings and models ; Money ; Design development ; Bid documents, aka construction documents ; Bidding ; Construction management ; Design-build projects ; Groundbreaking ; The construction process ; Moving ; Ribbon cutting ; Ten-month post-occupancy evaluation ; Rewards for the stressed out librarian -- Basic configuration of library spaces : External configuration ; Internal layout and room shapes ; Traffic flow ; Window placement ; Artistic ceiling shapes ; Curved walls ; Basements ; Snappy rules on the basic configuration of library spaces -- Evaluating library buildings by walking around : Reasons for evaluating buildings on your own ; The problems with asking the staff ; Appearance ; Sense of welcome ; Staff services points ; Natural light ; Artificial light ; Acoustics ; HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) ; Furnishings ; Storage ; Fragile construction materials ; Flexibility ; Functional arrangement of rooms ; Ceilings ; Acrophobia ; Floor coverings ; Ornamental spaces ; Protection from the elements ; Security ; Expandability ; Water features ; Omissions -- Dysfunctional designs : Common dysfunctional architectural design concepts ; In defense of designers ; The good news ; Snappy rules on dysfunctional design -- Converting non-library spaces to public libraries : Planning conversions to non-library spaces ; Rationales for conversions ; Common problems in conversions ; Types of buildings that might be converted to libraries ; Snappy rules for converting non-library spaces to public libraries -- Part III. Basic steps : Programming : Purpose of building programs ; Input on programs ; Typical contents of programs ; Methods of space estimating ; Who should write your building program? ; How to hire consultants ; Program-writing methods ; Two-phase building programs ; What to do when your architects ignore your programs ; Quick space estimates using formulas ; Snappy rules on programming -- Design : The role of the architect in the building process ; Hiring an architect ; Design competitions ; Planning groups ; What can go wrong when you work with architects? ; Snappy rules on design -- Site selection : Evaluating potential sites ; Special needs of various types of libraries ; Snappy rules on library site selection -- Zoning, covenants, and codes : Zoning ; Covenants ; Codes ; LEED ; Snappy rules on zoning, covenants, and codes -- Construction : Standard steps in the construction process ; Construction management firms ; Design-build projects ; Move-out vs. phased construction ; The librarian's role in construction ; Public ceremonies ; Punch lists ; Post-occupancy inspection ; Snappy rules on construction -- Remodeling and expanding library buildings : Comparative costs ; Problems with the reuse and expansion of old library buildings ; Phasing expansion projects ; Snappy rules on remodeling and expanding libraries -- Part IV. Money : Building costs : Capital costs ; Anticipating operating costs ; Snappy rules on building costs -- Funding : Sources of money ; Snappy rules on funding -- Part V. Library spaces : User seating : How much user seating? ; How library furniture is ordered ; Tables ; Chairs ; Placement of user seating in library buildings ; Snappy rules on user seating -- Collection storage : Steel cantilever shelving ; Alternatives to steel cantilever shelving ; Shelving placement ; Other types of storage ; High-density storage ; Estimating required space for collection storage ; Snappy rules on collection storage -- Public service desks : Typical functions of public service desks ; Placement of public service desks ; Essential features of public service desks ; Testing proposed public service desks ; Types of public service desks ; Public service desks and security ; Common problems in the design of public service desks ; Library supply company service desks ; Encouraging valedictory remarks ; Snappy rules on public service desks -- Program and study rooms : General features of typical meeting rooms ; Types of program and study rooms ; Special problems and opportunities with program and study rooms ; Common errors in the design of program and study rooms ; Snappy rules on program and study rooms -- Display and exhibit areas : Open exhibit areas ; Display cases ; Wall spaces for hanging artworks ; Pinnable surfaces ; Security issues ; Permanent works of art ; Exterior displays ; Combined libraries and museums ; Policies on displays and exhibits ; Snappy rules on display and exhibit areas -- Restrooms : Building codes ; Fixtures and equipment ; Accommodations for children and infants ; Size and location of restrooms ; Security ; Lighting ; Planning for maintenance ; Snappy rules on library restrooms -- Staff workrooms : General considerations for staff workrooms ; Individual workrooms ; Architectural features of workrooms ; Workroom furnishings ; Space with shared equipment ; Staff conference rooms ; Specialized workrooms ; Workspaces in otherwise public areas ; Required workroom sizes ; Snappy rules on staff workrooms -- Staff facilities : Staff lunchrooms ; Staff restrooms ; Staff coat and purse storage ; Staff mailboxes ; Staff bike storage and showers ; Snappy rules on staff facilities -- Storerooms : Locations of storage spaces ; Assigned storage spaces ; Shared storage spaces ; Meeting and program room storage spaces ; Mechanical equipment storage spaces ; Describing storage spaces in building programs ; Protecting storage spaces from looters who covet your space ; Snappy rules on storerooms -- Part VI. Technical issues : Lighting : General lighting concepts ; Types of light sources ; Lighting strategies ; Energy-saving ideas ; Common lighting problems and how to avoid them ; An easy formula for multifunctional library lighting ; Coping with natural lighting ; A final word on lighting ; Snappy rules on library lighting -- Elevators, staircases, railings, and ramps : Elevators ; Staircases ; Railings ; Ramps ; Snappy rules on elevators, staircases, railings, and ramps -- Electrical systems : Nomenclature ; Electrical circuits ; Electrical outlets ; Electrical switches ; Emergencies ; Snappy rules on electrical systems -- Heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems : General complexity ; Temperature control and zoning ; Humidity control ; Ductwork ; Energy conservation ; Special HVAC problems ; Snappy rules on HVAC systems -- Plumbing systems : Food preparation and service area ; Staff workroom plumbing ; Custodial workrooms ; Hose bibs ; Water "features" ; Storm drains ; Detention and retention basins ; Snappy rules on plumbing systems -- Security : Security through building design ; Theft control systems ; Theft of library equipment and of personal possessions ; Entrance and exit control equipment ; Intrusion alarms ; Fire protection systems ; Humidity control ; Video surveillance systems ; Miscellaneous issues in patron and staff security ; Public relations implications ; Insurance ; Snappy rules on library security -- Walls, floors, and ceilings : Health problems ; Walls ; Floors ; Ceilings ; Snappy rules on walls, floors, and ceilings -- Appendix : Vocabulary.