Construction Resources - Online

Page Sections

VT Library Projects / Comprehensive Library Building and Design Resources / Space Planning & Design Considerations / Historic Building Renovations / Inclusive and Accessible Spaces / Furniture, Fixture, & Equipment / Wayfinding & Signage / Moving a Library / Fundraising & Capital Campaigns

VT Library Projects

• VT Library Renovations, Additions, Construction – (Mostly) comprehensive list of VT library building projects (1998-2021). (PDF)

Comprehensive Library Building and Design Resources

• Questions to Ask When Considering a Building Project – Partial list of questions to ask those who have been through a building project, your board, your stakeholders, etc. (PDF)
• ALA - Building Libraries & Library Additions: https://libguides.ala.org/library-construction/general-information
  • Resources for designing spaces for teens and older adults: https://libguides.ala.org/library-construction/library-spaces
• MA Board of Library Commissioners Space Planning - downloadable booklet on space planning with an addendum for planning during a pandemic, covers community needs, height of shelving, types of seating, ADA considerations, outdoor spaces, etc.; information on the construction planning process; book list for further reading: https://mblc.state.ma.us/programs-and-support/construction/libraryspace.php
• CT State Library - resources for building libraries, including webinars, fundraising, HVAC information, and space planning resources: https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/construction/buildingsresources
• Maine State Library:
  • Sample RFP and Building Plan (Word) - https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/admin/construct/buildingplanandrfp.docx
  • Sample Bid Form (Word) - https://www.maine.gov/msl/libs/admin/construct/BidForm.docx
• NJ State Library checklist for planning a new library building: https://www.njstatelib.org/services_for_libraries/new-jersey-library-construction-bond-act/planning-new-library-building/
• American Institute of Architect’s “You and Your Architect” - outlines the architect-client relationship, questions to ask an architect, etc. (PDF): - https://www.aia-mn.org/wp-content/uploads/youandyourarchitect.pdf
• Library Expansion/Renovation Checklist - 2009 publication by Ann Hamilton (from Georgia Southern University Library) with practical advice and considerations for construction and design (PDF): http://www.ala.org/llama/sites/ala.org.llama/files/content/Ann%20Hamilton%20ebook.pdf
• Library Journal offers a yearly Design Institute that highlights trends and answers design questions - https://www.libraryjournal.com/section/design/innovation
• National Institute of Building Sciences guide to designing and building public library space (also guides for other types of libraries) - types of spaces, how to calculate square footage for each type of space/use, emerging needs, and relevant codes and standards: https://www.wbdg.org/building-types/libraries/public-library
• State of VT Agency of Administration, Building and General Services’, Office of Purchasing and Contracting list of contractors: https://bgs.vermont.gov/content/construction-retainer-services-trade-professional-consulting-project-management-contracts
• Vermont chapter, American Institute of Architects: https://www.aiavt.org/

Space Planning/Design Considerations

• “Designing for the Future – The Post-Pandemic Library” by David Vinjamuri and Joseph Huberty - seven fundamental issues in space planning and design.- https://medium.com/ditto-press/designing-for-the-future-the-post-pandemic-library-1943016d2e55
• CT State Library’s Library Space Planning - considerations of types of library space and the square footage for each type, Excel worksheet to calculate needs: https://libguides.ctstatelibrary.org/dld/construction/spaceplanning
• MA Board of Library Commissioners – step-by-step space analysis, tips on repurposing space, noise reduction, lighting, etc.: https://guides.mblc.state.ma.us/thespaceyouhave
• IFLA Section, Library Buildings and Equipment - blog and Facebook page for idea & resource sharing, including information about design conferences on which IFLA partners: https://iflalbes.wordpress.com/; https://www.facebook.com/groups/1649951498620366/
• Public Library Space Needs: A Planning Outline - 2009 publication by Anders C. Dahlgren (from Wisconsin Department of Public Library Instruction, Public Library Development) with ideas for projecting collection size as well as room sizes/needs: https://dpi.wi.gov/pld/boards-directors/space-needs
• WebJunction Space Planning Resources: https://www.webjunction.org/explore-topics/space-planning.html
  • Toolkit for creating smart spaces: https://www.webjunction.org/news/webjunction/toolkit-creating-smart-spaces.html

Historic Buildings Renovations

• VT Agency of Commerce and Community Development (ACCD) Historic Preservation - planning and funding for renovations as well as rules/regulations and training - https://accd.vermont.gov/historic-preservation
• Preservation Trust of Vermont - funding, resources, list of preservation contractors, and education around historic building renovations - https://ptvermont.org/
  • Contractors: https://ptvermont.org/vermontrestorationdirectory/wpbdp_category/preservation-contractor/

Inclusive and Accessible Spaces

• ADA Checklist for Existing Facilities - https://adachecklist.org/checklist.html
• Library Journal article - Inclusive Restroom Design: https://www.libraryjournal.com/?detailStory=inclusive-restroom-design-library-design
• American Libraries Magazine - ADA Signage Standards: https://americanlibrariesmagazine.org/2012/04/25/new-ada-signage-standards-take-effect/

Furniture, Fixtures, & Equipment (FF&E)

• Massachusetts Higher Education Consortium (MHEC) - Consortium pricing for library supplies and materials; open to all public and private institutions of higher education, municipalities, schools and educational organizations throughout Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Connecticut: https://libraries.vermont.gov/services/MHEC

Wayfinding/Signage

• “Signage by Design: A Design-Thinking Approach to Library User Experience” by Edward Luca and Bhuva Narayan - Scroll to see examples of “bad” and “good” signs: https://quod.lib.umich.edu/w/weave/12535642.0001.501?view=text;rgn=main
• ALA Presentation Slides – “Effective Library Signage: Tips, Tricks, & Best Practices Workshop”: https://www.slideshare.net/ALATechSource/effective-library-signage-tips-tricks-and-best-practices
• Emotionally Intelligent Signage – a presentation by Daniel Pink: https://vimeo.com/15463767
• DesignWorkPlan – Introduction to Wayfinding - review of wayfinding concepts: https://www.designworkplan.com/read/wayfinding-introduction

Moving a Library

• ALA - Moving or Relocating a Library: https://libguides.ala.org/libraryrelocation

Fundraising & Capital Campaigns

• Other Building and Renovation Grant Possibilities for Libraries
• Maine State Library - Fundraising for Capital Campaigns: https://www1.maine.gov/msl/libs/admin/funding/campaigns/index.shtml