Philippine Association of Academic/Research Librarians (PAARL)

Marina G. Dayrit Lecture Series 2013

“MAKING THINGS EASIER :

NEW DESIGN IDEAS FOR BETTER LIBRARY SERVICES”

LIBRARY SPACES IN DIFFERENT PLACES : THE BENCHMARKING

EXPERIENCESby

Mr. Sonny Boy T. Manalo

Chief Librarian, TIPQC

National Book Store Super Branch

Gen. Roxas St., Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City

February 22, 2013

INTRODUCTIONMost libraries can give examples from their own

experience in which a library’s physical space was either ill suited to the work to be performed or, in some unfortunate cases, a genuine barrier to productivity. In an effort to correct or avoid these situations, planners of library renovations or new construction make pre-design studies of individual workers’ tasks and workflow at the work-unit level. In this presentation, I will share my benchmarking experiences through pictures of different library spaces during the PAARL’s International Benchmarking of Libraries in Singapore (2010), Hong Kong (2011) and Kuala Lumpur (2012). Hope you can emulate it in your respective libraries.

TYPES OF SPACES

1. Collection Space

2. Electronic Workstation Space

3. Multimedia Workstation Space

4. Viewing Rooms and Listening Rooms

5. User Seating Space

6. Staff Work Space

7. Meeting Space

8. Auditorium or Larger Lecture Space

9. Special Use Space

10. Non-Assignable Space (Including Mechanical Space)

PLANNING CONSIDERATIONSAccording to the Association of College and Research

Libraries’ (ACRL) Standards for College Libraries 2000 Edition, “the library facility should be well planned; it should provide secure and adequate space, conducive to study and research with suitable environmental conditions for its services, personnel, resources, and collections. The library’s equipment should be adequate and functional.”

Thus, ACRL provides the following list of questions to answer when developing the academic library program:

• Does the library provide well-planned, secure, and adequate space for users?

• Are building mechanical systems properly designed and maintained to control temperature and humidity at recommended levels?

• What are the perceptions of users regarding the provisions of conducive study spaces, including a sufficient number of seats and varied types of seating?

• Is there enough space for the library’s collections?• Does the staff have sufficient workspace, and is it

configured to promote efficient operations?

If there are branch libraries, do they have sufficient workspace, and is it configured to promote efficient operations?

Is the library’s signage adequate?Does the library provide ergonomic workstations for

its users and staff?Are electrical and network wiring sufficient to meet

the needs associated with electronic access?Does the library meet the accessibility guidelines of

Persons With Disabilities (PWDs)?Are facilities provided to distance learning?

THANK YOU!