Tonight’s the night for the Library! This evening we have the first big meeting on the Sunnyvale Library of the Future. We're expecting about 80 or more participants after having sent over 2,000 notiifications, emails, and posting notices at the Library and other locations. I hope everybody shows up, we really need to hear new ideas and find out what the public wants from its future library.
It’s taken weeks to get started on this blog. It’s a bit scary - the blend of professional perspective and personal voice, or vice versa. The idea of a blog came up because we are experimenting with new ways of communicating with the public and I thought it would be “fun” to share what’s involved in this type of project from the beginning stages to the end. Having worked on teams developing new community libraries in the past, I’ve experienced the ups and downs, moments of disappointment and the sheer excitement of a new library for the community. Looking back though, the anguish and problems that occurred in the process are swept away and everything looks so-o-o, so-o-o easy now. Gone are the budget problems, the fits and starts and restarts, collaborations gone bad, etc.
So, this time around, with the possibility of blogging, it seems fitting to share as well as commemorate what it’s really like to examine long-term community library needs and work toward a solution. What the results of the process will be are unknown - will there be a new library? Maybe, maybe not. This is going to be all about the journey, and this evening is the start. We’ll see what folks from the community have to say tonight… If you're not going to be here with us, please at least wish us luck, or maybe send in a comment :-)
3 Comments:
THANKS for the opportunity to share thoughts and ideas - here is my wish list:
Main focus is ON SITE location of Friends of the Library activities.
The Friends provide a significant source of funds for many programs and these can expand as the Friends are more easily and efficiently able to process the donated books for resale.
These include donation acceptance, sorting, boxing and storage) and book sales ( large sale sales 3-6 X per year for all categories of used books,and smaller IN HOUSE Book Store area of current , like new books.)
---A basement is suggested for the sorting and storage area rather than on main floor as basements are lower cost than adding a second story and do not increase the footprint of the buillding. Another solution might be to copy Mountain View LIb. and locate the Friends' area near the large garage for the Bookmobile ( if you get one). this way books can be sorted and stored near where the book sale is held,
and the large - garage/book sale area can serve double duty while also getting our book sales OUT of the weather.
Basic suggestions:
1. Book sales area near main entrance in highest traffic flow area
2. Integrate book sales with coffee/snack sales area - possibly with outdoor seating area ( security?)enclosed.
3. Full time ( when open) cashier/worker ( volunteer/paid?) to monitor book sales/snack area will also box donated books
4. cashier can do initial separation of general sales vs Book Store quality books.
5.Provide method ( moving screen) to secure book sales/food area from general library when not manned.
6.Drive up book drop for donations Even walk up drop slot would be better solution to problem of unsupervised drop room or library personel handling –allows day/night drop.
7.Donation area accessible to “cashier/worker” in book sales area so they can box books
8. Shelves for empty boxes, supplies, food, waiting sale books
9. Counter for cash register, display case, storage underneath
10. use local merchants, restaurants, venders for variety of food choices - plan on only PAPER waste - no plastics - pick food accordingly.
11.Book cases to display books for sale like marketplace, different sizes,subjects, separated children’s area
12.Chairs and tables ( outside of secure area) on tiled floor, for eating/reading so only food/book salea area will be secured and tables remain available at all times for use. may include internet station wall and links to library catelog.
12. try to locate book sale/food area near at least one meeting room for small group use.
13. NEED Elevator to move books to downstairs sorting area
14. Stairs/ramp to access downstairs work area if elevator not working – ramp would allow
movement of books on hand trucks, stairs would not – can be on any side of building
15. Private/secure door to allow access to downstairs work area/book sales area separate from
main library ( security curtain locks from both sides)
16. Display area on back of wall separating book sales area for special books, art work, special notices and displays ( changing themes - seasonal, subjects)
DOWNSTAIRS WORK AREA:
1. Assume that we use downstairs room for storage of processed books ready for sale – books will be sorted then moved storage stacks as t Raynor Center to await sale
2. Bathroom! – IF ACCESS TO SORTING AND STORAGE AREA CAN BE 24/7 ( BECAUSE AREA IS SECURED SPEARATE FROM LIBRARY) we wouls need our own bathroom. if access is only to be allowed during lib. hours, bathroom not necessary.
If Friends decide to sell books on internet and it is more likely than not:
3. Screening area for internet scanner for books
4. Computer area with multiple monitors/keyboards/printer – adjacent shelves
5.Postage, mailing area with storage for supplies, cutting board area waste height, mail
waiting area
6.Ongoing processing area – counter, boxes, supply storage
7. Storage area for Christmas/Holiday books ( since we sell them in the library)
8. Storage area ( numerical) for internet listed books
9. Rest area ( in corner) for workers with table/booth, refrigerator for drinks, cabinets for food, sink for washing up , under counter storage, mailboxes for officers, bulletin board, - could be used for board meetings, center for worker signups, special book handling activities. etc
10. storage area for book sale materials
11. Windows/light well around building base or along one side to allow for natural light
12.Possible outside covered stair well/ ramp and entrance to lower work area – secure from rest of library - for entry outside of lib. hours.
13. any large meeting room can be use upstairs for book sales area - flexible screened rooms that can be enlarged are ideal as each sale requires differenr amont of space for book display . also easier to monitor patron activity and traffic flow.
thanks for this chance to dream about the future.
8:04 PM
Thanks, Anonymous for sending in your comments. I see you are a supporter of the Friends of the Library and want to be certain that space is provided to continue their wonderful work. I will be certain that this information is included with other comments on the Sunnyvale Library of the Future.
2:07 PM
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