Attachment 5 - Library Refresh Salient Characteristics.pdf

Salient Characteristics The Government’s intent is to contract for the design, furnishing, delivery and installation of all furniture. The Air Force Library furnishing Guidelines and standards are contained in the attached Unified Facilities Criteria. Furniture selected for each designed functional area should be listed for that particular space. Technical data must be submitted for proposed furniture.

- Standards

Section 2-4 of the Unified Facilities Criteria, Libraries (UFC 4-740-20) specifies six core functional areas: Public Services Areas, Information Services Areas, Meeting Space Areas, Children’s Areas, Administration Areas, and Technical Services Areas.

Information and pictorial references of these core areas can be found in the Air Force Library Design Guide which summarizes and highlights information in the UFC standards. Library designers should use current industry standards to ensure state-of-the-art facilities to include interior design and furnishings.

If single-tier steel bracket shelving is proposed, it must be in compliance with the National Information Standards Organization standard ANSI/NISO Z39.73-1994(R2001).

The library design shall have spaces which vary in character and scale to support different activities. Spaces must emulate the environments found in upscale commercial bookstores with a range of lounge-like areas.

- Functional Area Guidelines

As per UFC 4-740-20, Chapter 4-2 “Building Functional Area Relationships” there are six core building functional areas in every general library:

• Public Services Areas (to include the Circulation Desk): the main component of all library facilities, the public services area primarily consists of materials and equipment for adults, including general and special collections, reading areas, on-line public access computer terminals, study areas, circulation spaces and service desks.

• Information Services Areas: consist of customer use computer workstations, computer labs, equipment and related IT infrastructure.

• Children’s Service Areas: major components include general collections, computer spaces, reading areas, audio-visual areas, story time alcoves, and activity areas.

• Administration Areas: these include office staff offices, breakroom, staff restrooms, and storage areas.

• Technical Services Areas: large workroom area for acquisitions, cataloguing, receiving processing, holds, reserves, weeding areas, and supply storage.

• Support Areas: overall support areas can include vestibule, lobby, circulation areas, restrooms, hallways, exhibit spaces, and conference/meeting/programming spaces.

Each of the identified functional areas listed above shall be designed and appropriate furniture must be proposed to fill the spaces. Colors and finishes of surface materials must highlight and differentiate spaces to accommodate different types and levels of activity.

Review the UFC for each of the functional areas to assess the furniture needs of the spaces.

The AF Library Design Guide contains example photos.

The design for this requirement shall include the layout of appropriate furniture and equipment for each functional area.

Collection

The current collection runs to about 26,000 items, attached in the Statement of Work.

- Shelving

Proposed shelving must be organized for easy collection searches and to accommodate changes in collection sizes and organization. UFC Section 4-3.1

Shelving should be of solid wood or of wood and steel combination units for strength and styling. No laminate.

The use of compact or high-density shelving in areas accessible to the public is discouraged. Any proposed book stacks must be of heavy-duty construction.

Adult shelving shall be a mix of sizes, (60” maximum height for free-standing shelving, 72” maximum height for wall-leaning shelving, higher at the walls but lower in the middle of the space to free lines of sight and create display space.

Children’s book stacks must be no more than 1200mm (4 feet) high to provide children access to books and surveillance of space.

Shelving depth should be large enough to suit the size of children’s titles especially the picture book collections. Edges shall be rounded to avoid accidents.

Required Furniture

General: Library furniture selections shall be based on consideration of anticipated use, maintenance characteristics, life cycle cost, fire prevention and other safety requirements.

Design must incorporate furniture reasonably defined as durable, comfortable and attractive.

Examples (not all inclusive) of material to be used include solid wood, durable material counters (such as granite or solid surface composite materials) or like items.

Proposed modular furniture must be specifically for libraries. Proposed furniture must incorporate highly durable materials to counter fronts such as metal, solid surface or stone to panels and tops. Care must be taken to address high traffic areas (e.g., circulation desk) due to wear and tear. If wood veneers are proposed, solid wood corners must be incorporated. The design shall incorporate graffiti-proof furniture in areas such as bathrooms and small group study areas (i.e., secluded areas not easily visible to staff members) as necessary. UFC Section 3-2.

Interior finishes such as material, finish, color, and texture and furniture selections must complement the overall building. The design shall incorporate surface materials and furnishings to accommodate a warm, intimate and relaxed atmosphere. UFC Section 3-2

Circulation Desk: The circulation desk shall be designed specifically for library use. The use of highly durable materials such as granite or solid surface counter tops and metal or other solid surface material (e.g., stone) for the front counter panels is required. This will be a high traffic area. Include a lower transaction counter according to Americans with Disabilities Act Architectural Guidelines (ADAAG) requirements. UFC Section 3-4.1 and Section 4-3.3.

Provide separate book and audio/visual (A/V) drop slots on the customer side of the desk for returns. Locate drop slots away from queuing lines to facilitate quick returns and avoid bottlenecks. Provide padding, as required, for A/V drop slots to prevent damage to media.

Provide shelving and space for parking carts behind the desk to accommodate returned materials.

Teen Area: Teen areas must include tables, chairs, lounge style seating and display furniture for special interest teen items, like magazines. UFC Section 4-3.9

Children’s Area: Utilize child-scaled furnishings and equipment with attractive materials, colors, and graphics. Furniture, decorations, toys, and displays may also be used to reinforce the themed environment of the children’s areas. Focus design considerations on general collections stacks, reading areas, group activities areas, browsing, A/V collections and viewing stations, and areas for computer terminals. Provide an inviting place for children with furniture, furnishings, and equipment designed for young children and mounted at the appropriate scale. Provide ample storage for a wide variety of supplies, games, activities, A/V equipment, and extra shelving.

Utilize materials that are easily cleaned and maintained. Utilize moisture-proof materials, where possible. UFC Section 4.5

BYOD Seating: The increase of people come into the library with their own laptops, tablets, phones, etc. to utilize Wi-Fi while they relax, study, or communicate has resulted in the requirement for the creation of spaces where people can sit comfortably in small group or single seating areas at a variety of heights and styles. These areas should be individual and designed variously as café seating, lounge seating, and traditional table seating.

Programming Space: This space is meant to be flexible. Proposed furniture must be modular which can easily be broken down, stored and then used in various configurations for different audiences. Furniture shall accommodate up to 20 people.

Maker Space: This space is meant to highlight library technology, and requires flexible, durable furniture that supports collaboration, hands on projects, and rapid reconfiguration for different activities. It should include storage, accessible work surfaces, and integrated power sources to accommodate diverse tools and technologies.