libr 578: Planning and Design of Libraries (3) -- course description
PREREQUISITES : LIBR 500, 501, 502, 503
GOALS: The goal of this course is to provide students with the knowledge necessary to participate effectively in or to manage a library renovation project or a new building project. Emphasis will be placed on the development of skills which students need to evaluate personnel, systems, and services during a construction project so that the new or renovated library facility is cost-effective and appropriate to users’ needs. Students will gain a greater understanding of the architecture profession and the interdisciplinary nature of building projects. For additional information about the scope of the course, visit the “Planning and Building Libraries” web site listed under “Resources” on the SLAIS web site.
OBJECTIVES :
Upon
completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Identify characteristics which make public spaces/public buildings more inviting and discuss the relevance of those characteristics to public, school, and academic libraries
- Discuss the key elements in the history of library architecture from the Roman period to the present and explain the influence of monastic and church architecture and furniture on libraries today
- Define various architectural styles such as modernism and post-modernism and identify libraries designed in those styles
- Design a community needs assessment
- Write a space needs program and a building program
- Assess proposed building sites
- Assess the qualifications of an architect or consultant
- Participate effectively as a member of a building team
- Recognize the various elements in a set of blueprints
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of various exterior building materials
- Plan the interior layout of a library
- Operate library layout software with an introductory level of skill
- Describe the impact of electronic technologies on library facilities and propose ways to integrate present and future technological operations into building plans
- Evaluate types of library furniture appropriate for different library settings
- Describe the effects of colour and lighting
- Plan and implement a signage program
- Discuss the ergonomic considerations in library operations and their impact on furniture selection
- Compare and contrast different types of library theft and fire prevention security systems
- Plan the moving of a library collection to new premises
CONTENT:
- Architectural styles of the past and present
- Library planning processes
- Elements of a successful library building
