Needs Analysis for the New Tigard Library NEEDS ANALYSIS
for the new Tigard Library
b.,..
1 i # ws..,.:•.:',..,.,--....
.Sten, I,,..1,....L'1.1s.1.irft0•0'..—t
F.6'`
:-.jp d,ar.
' ...,.
. ,,, 1.•,.'
2'
I..L.,,,. ,i,,
•t,
..411,
.. ',,E_ ..
.{ 1.1
•
'x 0f
NUr- ►MON
i »
!r ' a - ,.
ll
:I'' 7 , II '
F t V .
.s,.
Ir..."'"-
4
. ,.. .. -- ''.•?:;,',--... L'
- �'
hp,;
' ..
>. ��♦��' • .-';: fir Ras
," ugust , 2111
w 4
.. 44, Z\ ,..
a
ffr-....r, . -' •
op o.
s,.,3•
FINAL
w
i - ;' 1' No"
• 1 x
me ' , II I P I_ [ Y
•�\ 4 ��tir
f V „fi t'• '
✓
...
,.. _
____.
__,______.
_______....
........ ..._____.
, .
_______-\-.--T- - . -
. 1
ARCHITECTS
CITY OF TIGARD
OREGON
MEMORANDUM
TIGARD PUBLIC LIBRARY
TO: Bill Monahan, City Manager
FROM: Margaret Barnes, Library Director,
DATE: August 31, 2000
SUBJECT: Final Report "Needs Analysis"
Attached to this memo is a copy of the final draft of the "Needs Analysis for the new
Tigard Library" submitted by BML Architects. As you know, the Library Construction
Committee met with Rich Brooks from BML on Thursday, August 17 to review and
accept this draft. This needs analysis report represents the first phase of the
Committee's work. Next, the consultant will be working with the staff to evaluate site
locations and programming needs of the Library.
I have also included a copy of a memo dated August 16, which was sent by the
consultant, Cynthia Ripley.
Finally, included in this report as an attachment is a copy of Resolution No. 00-49. This
resolution established the New Tigard Library Construction Committee.
Attachments •
13125 SW Hall Blvd., Tigard, OR 97223(503)639-4171 TDD(503)684-2772
From: Cynthia Repley[Cripley@RipleyArch.com]
Sent: Wednesday,August 16,2000 8:45 AM
To: 'Rich Brooks'
Subject: RE:Tigard Library
Dear Rich,
I would appreciate it if you would pass this memo along to Margaret Barnes and members of the
committee. As yoti know, when we received the copy of the library mark ups on our final report,there was
a note from Tony Greiner who had called Portland State University,and learned that the Oregon Office of
Economic Analysis had population projections through the year 2040 for the counties. He then calculated
Tigard's current per cent of the county population, which is 8.9%and applied it to the 2040 projection
which results in a projected population for Tigard of 66,203.
If the collection size and square footage factors which we have used in the report are utilized in conjunction
with this projection,the size of the library increases.
2.5 items per capita= 165,507 items
3.5 items per usable square foot=47,927 net square feet
47,927 X 20 circulation factor=57,512.Gross Square Feet
We have recommended a library which is 46,890 Gross Square Feet, which is approximately 11,000 Gross
Square Feet less then the size that might be anticipated mid century. To my way of thinking,projections
forty years out are not necessarily very accurate,but the information underscores two important issues.
The council should be cautious about reducing the size of the current proposed library;
there is ample evidence that Tigard will continue to grow. This means there will be more users,
and there will also he a larger base to spread the cost of financing the project.
In selecting a site, this may be a good number to use for calculating building expansion
and parking needs.
Thinking ahead to mid century also serves as a reminder to people, that public buildings need to be built to
a quality that lasts at least a hundred years. We have learned that if buildings are designed to last in the
first place,they be remodeled and expanded,rather than being demolished with the resulting loss of
investment The Multnomah County Library in Portland is a good example. There are many smaller
buildings through out the-country which exhibit the same permanence. These questions pertain to an
analysis of to life cycle costs.
Because we are aware that the city is tentative about the level of support for the library and therefore
concerned about cost,we suggest that the council become educated about the costs of permanent civic
buildings. Engaging BML's cost estimator to do a survey of recently built libraries in the area would
provide this information. I am concerned that the case be made for the appropriate cost per square foot
investment in the library. Calibrating the council members an appropriate standard of construction may
take some library visits.
Rich,I hope you will check my math,and I hope the meeting goes well on Thursday evening. The
committee is off to a good start,and I appreciate the library's careful scrutiny of the report. The rationale
... has to be defensible to critics, not the just believers.
Cynthia
CITY OF TIGARD, OREGON
RESOLUTION NO. 00-44 q
A RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH THE NEW TIGARD LIBRARY CONS!'RUCTION COMMITTEE
TO ADVISE THE CITY COUNCIL ON THE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO PLAN FOR AND
CONS IRUCT A NEW TIGARD PUBLIC LIBRARY.
•
WHEREAS, the City of Tigard Library does not have sufficient space to serve its present service
population; and
WHEREAS, the Tigard City Council recognized the need for additional Library space and created a Library
. Expansion Committee in late 1999; and
-' WHEREAS, early in 2000 the City Council and Budget Committee met and concluded that rather than
expand the existing facility a new Library is needed in a location other than at the present civic center
property; and
WHEREAS, the Expansion Committee met on several occasions, worked with the City Council to select
an architect, and is considering all options available to meet the future needs of the Library service
community.
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED by the Tigard City Council that:
SECTION 1: A New Tigard Library Construction Committee is hereby established and its
membership shall consist of the present members of the Library Expansion Committee
(Curtis Tigard, David Chapman, and George Burgess).
SECTION 2: The mission of the New Tigard Library Construction Committee is to work with an
architect to develop a plan and proposal to be reported to the Tigard City Council in
2001 proposing a solution to the Library facility needs and suggesting appropriate
locations for the facility.
SECTION 3: The composition of the Committee shall not exceed nine (9) members. The City Council
.., shall select additional members to the Committee without restricting membership to
residents of the City of Tigard. Members should, however, be residents of the Library
service area. Membership should be broad based including individuals who are involved
in Library activities through either membership on the Library Board, participation in
the Friends of the Tigard Library, volunteers at the Library, or as regular users of the
Library facility. Some representation by members of the Tigard business community is
recommended.
SECTION 4: The New Tigard Library Construction Committee shall comply with the Oregon Public
Meeting Law, meet on a regular basis, and forward recommendations to the Tigard City
Council so the Council may consider placing a bond measure on the November 2002
ballot.
RESOLUTION NO. 00-1-I�!
Page 1
SECTION 5: The term of service for appointees to the Committee shall be for the duration of the
Committee's activities, with the conclusion of activities to be determined by the Tigard
City Council.
PASSED: This g141 day of}i k -2000.
President—Tigar ity Council
ATTEST:
City Recorder-City of Tigard
RESOLUTION NO. 00-y"1
Page 2
Needs Analysis — Contents
Contents
Part One - Needs Analysis
1. Introduction:
Objective of Study
Study Methodology and Process
Acknowledgments
2. The Tigard Community
Demographic Characteristics
3. Existing Library Services:
General
Comparison with Other Libraries
Comparison with Library Standards
History of Library Service
Information Gathered from Library Users on Library Collections, Services
Facility and Technology
Summary of User Comments
Comments from Staff Focus Group
Consultant Observations
4. Recommended Plan of Service
Standards and Service Population
Basic Elements of the Library Program
Space for Collections
Public Seating
Public Use Technology Stations and Training Room
Staff Work Areas
Meeting Areas
Friends Space
Special Use Space
Unassignable Space
Part Two — Facility Program
— Guiding Principles
Summary Of Component Space Requirements
General Planning Criteria
Design Challenges
Operational Criteria
Information Systems Criteria
Building Systems Criteria
Interior Design
Needs Analysis — Contents
_ Architectural Criteria
Site Planning Criteria
Component Descriptions and Diagrams
The Public Forum -Meeting Areas
Entrance, Information and Borrowers Services
Reference
Periodicals
New Books
AN
Main Collection -Adult Fiction, Non-Fiction
Children's Center
Young Adults Center
Special Collections
The Technology Leaning and Support Center
Collection Services - Staff.Work Areas
Volunteers and Friends - Work Areas
Operations - Delivery, Unloading/Breakdown, Mail, Storage
Administration
Leased Space — Coffee, Snack
Part 3 —Site alternatives and Selection
Appendix
Acknowledgments
Standards
Sources
H
Needs Analysis - 1 Introduction
Introduction
The City of Tigard is sponsoring a study of the library services in Tigard. The
project consists of three parts:
Part One - a needs assessment and recommendation of a plan of
service
Part Two - the development of a library building program to
accommodate the services
Part Three - site selection, concept design, and development of the
project budget
The project is being supervised by the Library Construction Committee
composed of members of the city staff, library staff and appointed residents. The
members of the committee are:
_ Curtis Tigard, Public Member
David Chapman, President of the Library Board
George Burgess, President of the Friends of the Library
Joyce Patton, City Councilor
Kathy Sleeger, Ad Hoc Public Member
Gus Buenas, City Engineer
Tony Greiner, Library Project Liaison
Margaret Barnes, Library Director
Bill Monahan, City Manager
Objective of Study
The Objective of Part One of this study is to assess both the current and future
needs of the library in order to project the appropriate service plan, staffing, and
size of needs for the library for the next 15-20 years. Phase One information will
be the basis of the library building program. The size of the building and the plan
of library services'will also help determine where the library is located and how
big the site needs to be.
— Study Methodology and Process
The key methodology employed for the needs assessment was gathering input
from a wide spectrum of stakeholders in the community. City and library staff,
members of the public and the Library Construction Committee were all engaged
in interviews and focus groups to ensure participation by a wide cross-section of
library users. Library operating statistics required by the Oregon State Library
were provided to the consultants to establish use and circulation patterns.
Demographic data from the Metropolitan Regional Service District (METRO) was
used to establish the characteristics of Tigard as a community. METRO is the
— t
Needs Analysis - 1 Introduction
regional government planning organization in the Portland metropolitan area.
Operational measures and facility standards are based on information developed
by the Oregon Library Association and the consultants'experience with other
libraries.
Acknowledgments
The consultants wish to acknowledge the effort and support received from the
City and the Library in providing background information, assisting with the
collection of data on services, and in developing publicity for the input process.
Group meetings were held by the consultants during observation and interview
sessions on April 14 and 15, 2000.
Focus group sessions were held with different groups during a two-day site visit.
The focus group sessions explored issues that included what residents and
library users felt were the key issues facing Tigard both now and in the future.
Questions related to residents' use of information sources and libraries in Tigard
and in the region; factors that influenced or were barriers to library use; and
opinions about current services and services needed in the future.
2
Needs Analysis — 2 The Tigard Community
Overview
Tigard is the eleventh largest city in Oregon. In 1998, according to METRO
statistics, the population of the city itself was 37,200. In evaluating the
performance of libraries, the concept of the service population needs to be
considered. The service population is often larger than that of the incorporated
city, calculated at 49,000 for Tigard. The statistics on service population come
from the Oregon State Library.
Tigard is located in Washington County and was incorporated in 1961 from
unincorporated Washington County. Once a small commercial center that
served farming families, it is now a community whose white-collar population
primarily commutes to various destinations within the Portland Metropolitan area.
There is a significant job base in Tigard, more than the total population according
-- to METRO regional statistics, which indicate that people are coming into Tigard
to work and are using city businesses and services. Highway 99 bypasses the
downtown business district but it bisects the town. The highway is frequently
congested at peak periods. The congestion on the regional highway impedes
access to the historic downtown.
METRO has prepared an analysis of changes to population and growth between
1994 and 2017, called the Regional Forecast and TAZ (transportation allocation
zone) Project. It shows that Tigard will grow from 33,730 to 42,789 in population.
The current population suggests that growth in Tigard is ahead of the projections.
Demographic Characteristics (based on 1990 census)
Information from the 2000 census was not available at the time this report was
— prepared. Some of the data has undoubtedly been superseded. However,
anecdotal accounts from residents and staff indicate that, while the number of
people and the cost of housing may have increased, the general characteristics
of the population seem to be the same as in 1990.
- Tigard is mostly middle class (80%). It is a community with middle
aged adults who have raised their families but are staying in the
community, and it is a community of young families with children.
- Households: 49.9 percent of households had children and of these,
46.6 percent are classified as a married couple family.
- Race and Ethnicity: The population of Tigard is homogenous and
parallels the state population at large. Most of the people in the town
are white (total - 27,679). Other races include Asian or Pacific Islander
(total - 1006), Hispanic or Latino (total - 690), African-American (total -
216), and Native-American (total - 188).
3
Needs Analysis - 2 The Tigard Community
- Income: The median income in Tigard is $42,112 per year, somewhat
higher than the state as a whole including the city of Portland. The
median incomes for neighboring communities are as follows: Lake
Oswego - $60,949, Beaverton - $41,483, Hillsboro - $36,847
- Education: Approximately 30% of the adult population have a
_ bachelor's degree, with 90.9% having a high school degree.
Much of the housing is from the 1960s and is still reasonably priced according to
a scan of the demographic indicators. Some areas of the county are being
developed as high-end developments where $500,000 homes are being built,
particularly south of the city limits where there are affluent commuter
cities/bedroom communities. Bull Mountain is one such affluent area. As these
communities grow to the south, people will work in Tigard and Portland, and
traffic and commuting will continue to be a factor.
Among the groups we interviewed, there are different perceptions as to whether
residents are willing to support a new library. Some say residents are fiscally
conservative and that Tigard is a "meat-and-potatoes" type of community. Others
say residents of Tigard are generous donors and family-oriented. To exemplify,
they refer to current fundraising efforts to raise money for a teen center.
Tigard has many seniors. There is a large population of retirees in the library
service area who live in King City and Summerfield. Seniors do not have access
—' to very much public transportation.
Schools and children are important. There are 2,000 high school students at
Tigard High. The City of Tigard is concerned with strengthening its schools. In
May 2000 voters passed a local tax option for the Tigard/Tualatin School District
for operating costs. In recent statewide testing, the average scores for the Tigard
schools were marginally better than statewide scores.
The spirit of volunteerism, which characterizes Tigard's solution to problems, is
already addressing some issues. Senior citizens and community members are
volunteering in th&SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) and OASIS programs
to help children leam to read. These programs provide one-on-one time for
children to read with an adult to enhance their reading skills. Community
members also volunteer for the Lunch Buddy Program. This program matches
adult mentors with elementary school students. LINK student leaders at Tigard
High are mentoring incoming 9th graders and WEB student leaders in the middle
schools serve as mentors for incoming 8th graders. Middle school students read
with elementary school students once per week.
The City of Tigard Library houses a homework center on Mondays, Tuesdays
and Wednesdays to provide tutored assistance to middle and high school
4
Needs Analysis — 2 The Tigard Community
students. Some high school students serve as tutors for middle school students,
and adults tutor the high school students. The Tigard/Tualatin School District
provides bus transportation from Fowler and Tuality Middle Schools to the
homework center.
The City of Tigard conducted a visioning process called "Tigard Beyond
Tomorrow" in 1998 and 1999 involving residents, professionals, business owners
and community group leaders. The outcome of this effort was a report
summarizing goals and subsequent annual reporting on progress in attaining
those goals in seven areas. They include Community Character and Quality of
Life, Growth and Growth Management, Public Safety, Schools and Education,
Transportation and Traffic, and Urban and Public Services.
The community's vision is as follows:
- Commitment to shaping the community's future in agreement with the
direction given through this on-going process. This process relies on
citizen involvement and participation, and coordinated actions by the
community's decision-makers.
- Tigard is a safe, dynamic community, supported by coordinated and
efficient public services. Funding for services is stable, and recipients
pay their share.
... - Citizens are educated about how to access public services and
understand their responsibility to participate as members of the
community.
- There are a variety of opportunities for citizens of all ages to access
education programs for life-long learning. Our community recognizes
and accepts the responsibility each citizen has in promoting and
supporting quality education.
- Local businesses thrive, including small businesses. Business owners
are involved and take responsibility for the impacts their businesses
haveon the community.
- A community value "to respect open spaces and natural features"
encourages access to these by our citizens. Many leisure time and
recreational opportunities are available for our community.
Tigard has five council members elected at large. The City Manager indicates
that voluntary service on boards and commissions tends to be short-term.
Mounting a sustained effort for public sector projects is sometimes difficult
because of changes in City Council membership.
5
Needs Analysis — 2 The Tigard Community
The library is a city department, and the city's policy is to encourage a unified
vision for city services that avoids separation or competition between and among
city departments. Since a bond election is likely to fund the library, city officials
say that the planning for the library must take into account the realistic potential
for public support.
Many people see the library as a focus for community interaction. The concept
— of a community center or gathering place is of great interest. While the idea of a
community center is supported and there seems to be a need, financial support
may not be available. The results from the last bond election seem to show that
a library alone, rather than as a combined building project, might have a better
chance for approval. The community appears to be fiscally conservative and
may not support a larger tax measure.
The vote to create a two-county recreational district, the Atfalati recreation district
vote, will likely occur.in the fall. At this time Tigard does not have a recreation
department. A two-county district would likely create community and recreational
centers that will cooperate with the Tigard/Tualatin School District if the measure
passes.
Based on their experience in other communities, the consultants know that a new
library can fulfill the desire for a community center by providing a place to meet
and a park-like setting. When the existing library moves to a new building, one
issue is: what will happen to the existing building? Expanding city offices has
been discussed. Another idea may be to locate meeting rooms into the vacated
library as the community center. This concept would allow a smaller library to be
constructed, as long as the site is within walking distance of the community
center. The consultants have observed that building a new library requires
leadership and one or two strong and persistent champions from the Library
Board and the City Council. Identifying this leadership may be among the most
important challenges facing library supporters.
6
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
General
The Tigard Library is organized as a city department. The Library Board,
established under the Tigard Municipal code (2.36.030), has the responsibility to
advise the City Manager and the City Council on library policies, facilities and
community needs. There are seven citizen members appointed by the City.
Council for four-year terms. One member of the board may reside outside the
city.
The Tigard Library is a participating member of the Washington County
Cooperative Library Services (WCCLS), which receives funds from the
Washington County general fund. Funds are distributed to participating cities
based on a number of criteria including number of circulations, number of
volumes added to the collection, amount of funds expended on collections and
hours open. The cooperative allows the county residents to use all libraries in
Washington County without charge. WCCLS provides an online catalog, known
as WILT, daily courier service between libraries, and other support services to its
-' members.
The library's mission statement is as follows:
"We are committed to making Tigard a better place to live by offering all
library users guided access to the ever-expanding spectrum of knowledge,
information and entertainment available to them."
"World-class information and traditional library services will be presented
in a 'user-friendly'environment that recognizes the diversity of skills,
interests, and preferences in the population we serve.
"All library employees are dedicated to providing knowledgeable,
courteous, and timely service to our customers."
The library's long-range planning committee conducted an assessment of the
library's service responses to determine the library's priority service responses.
_ The service responses were scored and ranked accordingly. Results show that
the library considers the following service responses as priorities:
-General Information: meets the need for information and answers on a
broad array of topics.
-Life Long Learning: helps address the desire for self-directed personal
growth and development.
-Information Literacy: helps address the need for skills related to finding,
evaluating and using information effectively.
-Current Topics and Titles: helps fulfill community residents' appetite for
information about popular cultural and social trends and recreational
needs.
7
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
-Business and Career Information: addresses the need for information
related to business, careers, work, entrepreneurship, personal finance
and obtaining employment.
Comparison with other Libraries
The Oregon State Library has just published its summary statistics for all libraries
-' in the state for 1998/1999, based on uniform reporting by all libraries. This
information is available at the Oregon State Library web site: www.osl.state.or.us
The following information gives a sense of how Tigard compares in some key
-' areas. Tigard compares very favorably to statewide measures of service.
-The statewide per capita operating expenditure for libraries was $30.59.
Tigard's expenditures were $36.16.
-Libraries reported collections of 2.66 items per capita. Tigard reported a
total of about 2.2 items per capita.
-Registered borrowers represented 52.2 percent of the service population.
Tigard reported that 36,500 or 75 percent of their service population
holds library cards.
-Circulation was 10.3 items checked out per capita. Tigard reported total
circulation of 14.0 items checked out per capita.
-Reference transactions represented .71 per capita. Tigard reported 0.88
reference transactions per capita for 1998/99.
Comparison with Library Standards
This information is taken from the Oregon Library Association (OLA) Standards
for Oregon Public Libraries 2000. Not all library users live within the boundary of
the city as defined in census data. Therefore, the Oregon State Library assigns
libraries a service population, which is used for state aid and comparison
purposes. The service population assigned to the Tigard Library is 49,068 as
established by the Oregon State Library.
Standards exist in six measurable areas: access, staff, materials and services,
technology, community involvement, and facilities. Three levels of standards are
established; threshold, adequate and excellent.
Access: Tigard provides adequate access according to the standards. The
Library is open 65 hours per week. Standards state that for libraries serving
8
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
25,000+ population, threshold service is 50 hours per week, adequate is 60
hours per week, and 75 hours constitutes an excellent level of service.
Staff: Tigard provides adequate staffing standards. The library is to provide 0.5
FTE/1,000 served with a Director with a Masters of Library Science degree
(MLS) and 1/4 of staff with MLS. (Tigard has 29.7 FTE, 10 with MLS degrees).
Materials and Services: OLA sets standards for the book collection. The
threshold level is 2 books per capita; adequate is 3. Tigard Library has 105,277
books, and a service area of 49,000, so it has 2.14 books per capita. The OLA
does not set a standard for.size of an audio-visual collection.
Technology: Threshold standards are 1 public Internet access work station/
2,500 served. That would mean 20 more stations for Tigard; currently there are
12 in operation. Tigard has an equipment replacement plan and Internet
connections that place the library in the adequate category.
Community Involvement: The Tigard Library meets adequate standards, as it has
an active volunteer program and uses volunteers with activities coordinated by a
staff member. The library does not have a Library Foundation, although the
Library Board is in the process of organizing one.
Facilities: Library standards suggest that there be a minimum of 3,050 square
feet (sf) for the first 4,000 population and 0.76 sf per capita in excess of 4,000
population. Tigard's service population is 49,068 with a 13,000 (includes Puett
Room addition) square foot facility (according to the floor plan provided by the
city). The standards also cite that for service populations over 50,000, the
building should be at least 30,000 square feet. The building is quite undersized
by these standards.
The Oregon Library Association standards are written to correlate with standards
in many other states, although there are no national standards. Ultimately,
standards are a bench mark, not a prescription. The library program, the site,
special opportunities or needs, and the commitment of the community determine
the appropriate size of any particular library.
When a building is undersized, however, there is a negative impact on library
services. The collection cannot expand adequately. User technology stations
cannot be accommodated to the extent necessary. In an effort to keep these
maintained, the collection and other services, such as user seating, disappear
and various elements of the library intrude on one another. This pattern is very
evident in Tigard. The OLA standards reflect the perspective of people to whom
libraries are very important. Like school standards, appropriately sized libraries
are a measure of the overall quality of life in a community and increasingly affect
the choices people make about whether to make Tigard their preferred place of
residence.
9
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
History of Library Service
The original Tigard Library was a broom closet in City Hall (an old bank building)
in which the city secretary kept paperbacks that were swapped among
borrowers. Eventually, the old Sealy Mattress factory was converted for use as a
library. Paid staff and volunteers started operating this library.
The present building was built about 14 years ago, minus the current librarians'
offices and the Reading Room. An addition for staff and meeting space was
added as a result of a gift from Tigard resident Mary Puett.
Tigard was the first, and still is the only library in the county, to have a Young
Adult librarian; the second to offer Internet service and for a time, Tigard Library
was a pioneer in electronic reference. The library has been a net lender in
Interlibrary Loans (ILL) for 6 years, and until the Polaris system was in place, had
yearly circulation increases ranging between 6 and 11 percent.
— In 1998, the City Council put out a bond measure for a new library building and a
number of other city programs. The total bond measure was for nearly$17
million, of which the library would only actually receive $7 million. It failed.
Since that time, the library has been the recipient of two bequests. In 1999,
Grace Tigard Houghton, granddaughter of Wilson Tigard, the city's founder, left
$816,000 in her will for a "browsing room. " Shortly thereafter, Neva Root, local
historian and legendary Tigard schoolteacher, died and left $40,000 for children's
materials. These two bequests are in an interest-bearing account and will
—' become part of the funding for the new library.
The library's major collections consist of the adult, children, young adult and non-
- book collections. Audio-visual and non-book collections include videos, audio
books and recorded music. The library has large print books, an adult beginning
reader collection, ESL (English as a Second Language) materials, careers and
education materials, a local history collection, a collection of materials
emphasizing both the Northwest and Oregon Trails, and a parenting collection.
Information Gathered from Library Users on Library Collections, Services and the
Facility
This section reports on the focus groups data gathered by the consultants in April
2000 during a series of meetings held with users representing different
constituent user groups. They include seniors, members of the Library Board,
10
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
individuals who volunteer at the library, parents with children, those who home
school, youth and adults. Library staff also met as a group and provided
information about their views and needs. This section also provides commentary
of the consultant's observations regarding the different issues.
'- A summary of the questions asked of the participants is as follows:
• How would you describe Tigard as a place to live, and how do you
describe the people who live in Tigard?
• How would you characterize the public library service you receive from
the Tigard Public Library?
• What library materials and services do you typically use?
• What lifestyle or other factors such as hours, parking, etc. might
_ influence or prevent your use of the library?
Collections, Services, and the Facility
Collections:
Participants were complimentary about the collections in general. All materials
are used. Popular materials, CDs, audiotapes (Books on Tape) and videos all
receive heavy use.
Collection depth was discussed by a number of participants who were interested
in the library providing more materials on literary criticism. A number of
participants use the library in association with writing activities, and they would
like to see better availability of the Multnomah County Library's collection.
A number of users obtained materials from Multnomah and other libraries to
supplement what they borrowed from the library. Interlibrary loan is an active
program. Staff says there is active ILL courier service in and among Washington
County libraries and that about 200-300 items are processed per day. Although
access to other collections is available through interlibrary loan, this comment
may suggest that the service is not well understood by users.
Users come to the library for the collections, but they are attracted to the good
service offered by the library as well. Participants felt that the staff was
cooperative and assisted them well in getting books from all over the county, and
this service is appreciated. A number of participants said they felt that the
collections are deeper at other libraries. Multnomah County Library is described
as "gorgeous" with deeper collections, but not as "cordial" to users as Tigard.
A number of users felt the library does not have enough shelving for the
collections and want to see additional shelf space in the new facility.
Seniors say they read for recreation, and they want books and magazines. They
also want AV materials specifically, books on tape. Seniors are interested in
ii
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
more reference materials. They also say they use the large print collection. A
number of attendees noted that they would like to see more depth in this
collection, more non-fiction and literature selections.
A number of users made reference to the library's business and financial
collection. A senior, who uses the investment information regularly, felt that
Tigard Library does a good job buying business materials and said that he found
its resources comparable to larger libraries he was familiar with in Arizona and
Colorado. Another participant suggested the library provide the business
collection with more of an identity, if not a special area.
One or two participants expressed interest in more emphasis on a local history
collection. The possibility of more cooperation with the Tigard Area Historical
and Preservation Association was discussed. If this were to occur, it could result
in more materials and artifacts being available at the library.. Cooperation would
result in more volunteers who would need a workroom along with the collection.
Services:
The library has active programming. They offer a movie night program for teens,
novelist and author programs, and various children and youth programs, such as
craft times and storytelling. Some programs are held in the library, while others
are held in Tigard's Town Hall space and at the water department auditorium.
Summer reading program and adult reading program activities are crowded, and
they are outgrowing the water building meeting room. About 200-300 people
attend the summer reading programs, and they need more space for children
and adults.
Focus group participants would like to see summer programs held at the library,
but the lack of meeting space is an issue. Many programs have storytellers and
animal-related activities. An outdoor space for such programs was suggested.
Programs are held during the day, after school and evenings. Overall,
participants and staff feel that the library could use more meeting rooms and
performance space.
The role of the library as a 'social space' is important to residents. Participants in
many cases say that access to free meeting rooms would be important. A
number noted that access to meeting space for civic groups and other
community activities had declined and felt that there were fewer places to meet
than before.
Support for children's services is important. Story hours and the summer reading
program, as well as other children-related events, are popular. Most participants
12
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
talked about the importance and need for these activities and want to see the
library do more.
Currently, young adults have access to the library by taking a special bus to the
library for the homework center program. Staff mentioned the possible need for
a specific homework room or center. Beaverton Library has a homework center
space.
The library has a separate parent collection, which the library wants to maintain.
Parents of home schoolers say they use the library to support their formal
educational efforts with their children. They use the Tigard Library as well as a
number of other area libraries. They receive no formal support from the Tigard/
Tualatin School District, so they network with other home schoolers and home
school support organizations to develop curriculum. The number of home
schooled students in Tigard is estimated to be about 200. Home schoolers
accompany their children to the library and say they need a quiet place to work
with their children over an extended period of time (a couple of hours.) Small
study rooms were suggested as important to their activities.
A number of users commented on the availability of service from staff in the
children's room and felt the library was very responsive despite the lack of a staff
service point. Staff pointed out that they would like a reference desk in the
children's area supported by a staff member.
A number of participants wished for exhibit space in the library. One person
noted that the library hosts a gallery night at the library for school art exhibits.
Seniors say they want more meeting rooms with presentation screens and
audiovisual rooms. Some seniors tutor students and would like specific rooms
for tutoring and rooms where children can do their homework.
Staff indicates that they do not need a formal boardroom, but they do want a
conference room to be used by staff and the Library Board.
One participant suggested that there is a need for training and seminar rooms to
help sole proprietorship businesses and that this could be a role for the library. A
classroom and meeting room with telecommunications and audio-visual
capability would be important. The Chamber of Commerce building will probably .
not be able to offer this service; they do not yet know what the capabilities of their
new building will be.
Seniors and adults are interested in the library continuing to promote programs
such as adult book nights, book discussion groups, and adult reading programs.
Two users said that they came to the library specifically to attend these types of
activities.
13
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
Individuals were interested in the library's sponsorship of a number of activities
including book clubs, and saw that the library could promote a number of cultural
experiences, including sponsoring art exhibits and displays, and hosting musical
evenings in the library.
A number of users wanted to see more adult activities coordinated with children's
activities. They also said they like the art collection.
Seniors know and use the library for a variety of services. A number of them are
volunteers. Outreach to the seniors is important.
Staff indicated that in addition to in-house library use, they provide outreach to
seniors in the form of deposit collections at senior centers.
Business and professional users feel there should be more coordination with the
schools on assignment projects.
One business user said that Internet use is what the business community needs
and uses these days. He stated he uses the library to do his work between
appointments and comes to the library as a quiet place to work.
Coffee and reading rooms in the style of Borders were suggested. Patrons like
the idea of coffee in the library. Staff, however, have concerns about food and
cleaning.
The Facility:
The most predominant comment by users was that the building is overcrowded
and noisy. Users also commented about the lack of light.
_ People frequently commented that the children's area was where the noise was
generated and that this area should be more isolated in the new library.
Library Board members said they "wanted the ability to grab a book and a chair
—
and have some privacy." Staff wished for quiet spaces in the building and a
place for patrons to read. A frequent request from all users was for a quiet
reading room.
A number of participants discussed the importance of the library's relationship to
the Fanno Creek area and the water. They expressed the desire to have a
strong indoor outdoor relationship, while preventing the loss of materials.
Users say they enjoy browsing the stacks but would like to see more seating
located near the collections. Seniors said they would like to see more room to sit
when they browse the large print collection.
14
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
Some adults said that access to a drive-up book return and the provision for
adequate parking were fundamental to good access to the library.
The library is open 65 hours per week; some would like to see it open even more
hours.
Technology:
Users would like greater access to the computers. They say the library's
_ computers are always busy, and a number of the teens as well as other
participants, wanted to see the library add additional terminals.
Seniors felt that the library could offer more access to word processing programs
and more instruction in the use of the Internet, software programs and general
computer skills.
•
A number of participants want to see the library provide a bank of computers set
aside solely for Internet use. One user expressed an interest in being able to "hit
and run" - to pick up e-mail messages quickly at the library.
The staff and the public desire computer-training facilities. The schools are using
Apples and Macintosh, but the library uses PCs. The library does not have a
relationship with the Portland Community College, which might offer distance
education.
Most attendees say that computer literacy (particularly word processing and
Windows knowledge), are important, but expressed little interest in distance
education.
Seniors are interested in more access to computers and wanted to see more
space to accommodate the computers.
Users were interested in having the opportunity for laptops to be able to access
the library's dedicated network, and one business owner said he would come to
the library specifically to use this feature.
Users and staff would like to see more public access catalog stations in the
stacks and throughout the library.
Summary of User Comments
The focus group sessions show that the Tigard Library community is composed
of active, interested library users. The focus groups also show:
15
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
-The library will continue to attract adults, children and seniors as heavy
users along with those seeking business information and pursuing other
information needs.
-While most participants support the idea of the library focusing on serving
children, everyone wants to seethe library space structured to provide
quiet spaces for adults and rooms where children can be noisy.
-Users report wanting a more diverse variety of library materials. Users
increasingly come to the library to borrow audio-visual materials including
videos, audiotapes, and music on CDs and DVDs, as well as books,
magazines and newspapers.
-All participants expressed a need for the library to be bright, well lighted
and comfortable. They want the library to be well-designed, a place to
spend time reading or "being quiet". They'd like it to be warm, welcoming
and accessible. They do not want a dim or dingy environment. Their
—, "model" library environment (layout, furniture) is frequently expressed in
terms of the atmosphere of a Barnes and Noble bookstore.
-Youth, children and their caregivers want the library to provide comfortable
seating and reading areas in the library. They also want a variety of book
and audio-visual materials. Parents and educators want the children's
room to be a dedicated space, accessible but separate from the adult
areas of the library. Sound and noise is a concern in planning this space.
-Adults and children would like a library that has large windows and that
looks out onto the landscape. Adults want comfortable chairs (large and
cozy), and adequate seating was also important to them. All participants
- • stressed the need for a quiet room where they could sit and read, but
emphasized that the library should accommodate both children and adults.
-Many, if not most, of the focus group participants have computers in their
homes, but they are still interested in having computers and Internet
access at the library. Their interest results from a number of reasons. For
— instance, their home computers are being used by others; they would like
enhanced access or faster downloading. Participants said they are
_ interested in the library providing more access to instruction in computers,
software and the Internet, a computer instructional laboratory and the
capability for laptops to be able to access the library's information network
and the Internet.
Comments from Staff Focus Group
Staff expressed a number of views about the current library building and its
space.
16
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
Library staff state the need for more shelving for the collection. They would like
enough shelving to avoid shelving books on bottom and upper shelves, which
would make access easier for older and disabled users. Staff want to see popular
materials located closer to reference but not too close to the front door.
Circulation staff indicate that the circulation area has the least amount of space
and that they need more. The circulation supervisor should have a desk off the
circulation desk. Training space for volunteers in circulation is needed. Staff
also requested room for two self-check terminals at the circulation area and one
elsewhere, such as in the children's area.
Staff expressed interest in the following for the new building:
-A drive-up drop box for the return of books. The public was very
interested in this capability.
-A top-flight security system for 3-M security products. The Library is
losing CDs due to an inadequate system.
-More room for sorting books.
— -Quiet study rooms.
-Group study rooms.
-More room for technical services.
-More storage for technical services.
-The staff say the organization of their workspace is not efficient, and that
— they have very little storage space. They also share their shelving, and
they do not have a loading dock. More adequate mail and sorting space
is needed.'They want a workflow that is rational in terms of processing.
Technical services staff say they need a quiet and dedicated space of
their own.
-In the children's area, library staff want a children's service desk. More
computers for kids, more computers for games and a children's interface
for the catalog is also needed.
-The staff does not want faddish themes used in designing the children's
area.
17
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
-They could see a pre-school room being separate from the school-age
children.
-Staff say they will need programming areas. They want projection
screens and dry erase boards. They have a portable puppet theatre, and
they might want to operate a puppet theatre in the children's room.
-The staff wants to be able to better accommodate parents in the
children's room where they can work while their children are occupied in
there.
-Staff do not want incoming phone calls at the service desk and would like
to limit the extent to which phones are located there. They would also
like to see the library provide at least one payphone for the public.
-Library staff would like to see a separate teen area, but not located near
the children's area. They would expect this space to receive high use
and to be loud since they note that teens tend to work and travel in
groups.
-Staff feel they need storage and cupboards, a sink, and a stove.
-Many of the programs are noisy, and these spaces should be separate
from the library's quiet areas for the purpose of noise control. Staff also
wants doors large enough for stroller access, space for merchandising
— children's materials and more space for collections.
Consultant Observations
Location: The library building is located at the Civic Center and shares parking
with the City Hall and Police stations. The entry to the library and the other
facilities is off a small pedestrian courtyard, which overlooks a pleasant nature
preserve, a wetlands and small stream to the south. The library building is sited
between a large parking lot and the wetlands. The wetlands prevent further
expansion to the south; the parking lot prevents further expansion to the north.
—
The concept of locating the library with other city offices is a model that is
somewhat out-of-date and is an administrative concept rather than a functional
concept. Users do not seek library services in conjunction with other city
services. Libraries are increasingly viewed as community meeting, cultural and
entertainment centers.
Building Systems: The scope of this study did not include an assessment of the
physical condition of the existing building. It appears to be a slab-on-grade,
wood-frame structure with exterior stucco cladding and in sound condition. The
performance and remaining life of the HVAC and plumbing systems was not
evaluated. Although the library has an attractive exterior, which is in keeping
18
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
with the Civic Center, the interior has little ambiance. Windows do not provide a
view out for example, and lighting and acoustics are deficient for use as a library.
The issue of whether to remodel and expand the building for use as a library has
been determined as not cost-effective, because the only expansion opportunity is
into the parking area which is fully utilized. The city's intention is to reuse the
building as offices.
Utilization of the available floor plan: The building has been evaluated in terms of
the use of space for elements of library services. Since a new library is
envisioned, the main value of the consultant's analysis is to avoid repeating an
unsuccessful plan in the new building.
The building, which is rectilinear, is entered from the west off a courtyard shared
with City Hall. In an effort to get the most used collections and services near the
entry, collections and work stations have been organized so that the west half of
the building is active,crowded and noisy, while the east half which is almost
entirely devoted to shelving is quiet.
Because of the intense use of the front half of the building, every function in this
area seems noisy and intrudes on its neighbors. The three service desks,
Information, Circulation and Reference, all co-exist in the west half of the building
with the following collections: Audio-Visual, Business, Consumer, Children's and
Young Adults, as well as the Internet work stations. Users headed for the
collections further into the building disrupt activities going on in this area, which
they could bypass if the building were organized differently.
The east half of the building, devoted to adult Fiction/Non Fiction and Reference
shelving, is an oasis of calm by contrast. Shelving has absorbed almost all the
floor area so there is very little room for lounge or table seating. For the most
part, users are required to take materials to the reading room, which is somewhat
inconvenient. Many users do not take materials there and simply return and
check out books, which may be acceptable for the general collections, but is very
hard on users with sustained reference work.
The library might have seemed less congested if the floor plan had been
organized with a gallery aligned in an east-west direction along the wall that
enters the Puett Room. With service desks spaced along this gallery backed up
by collections, users would be able to use the whole building more evenly.
Capacity of the building: The public areas of the building are not large enough to
accommodate existing collections, services and seating effectively. Shelves in
all collections are full. The electronic resources user stations (technology center)
are crowded on a main path of travel and are too close to the Reference Desk.
Service at the Reference Desk is impacted by this tight arrangement. It appears
that the electronic resources user stations may have caused some portion of the
19
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
Reference collection to be relocated because it is far from the Reference Desk.
Seating in the library is minimal with the exception of the Puett Room, which
serves not only as a reading room but also as the library's meeting and program
space.
Staff areas are even more overcrowded, with multiple workstations placed in
areas designed for many fewer. They are atypical in size, smaller than the usual
6' by 8' staff workstation. In departments like Technical Services, where work
areas require extra space, the work stations are smaller than the consultants
have seen before. The Library Director does not have a private office and works
— in the same room with another librarian. The Director's assistant is at the
opposite end of the building. There is no staff conference room or team meeting
space. The offices are not adjacent to service desks.
While the Children's Library is friendly and accessible, it is very crowded. Story
hour and children's activities are conducted in the Puett Room. Mention was
made of a donated puppet theater, but it was folded in the back, and some said it
was seldom used. No doubt this is because of the set-up time required. Shelving
is full, and taller shelving has been brought into use. Although every effort is
— made to use shelving above 5 feet for stuffed animals and displays, this is not
always the case.
— There is no children's desk, and the staff work area is a very small work station in
a shared staff workroom. Storage for the Children's Department is shared with
other Library departments on compact shelving in the original staff work area. It
is insufficient and annoyingly inaccessible.
On-line Catalog and Electronic Information User Work Stations: The library has
nine standing online public access catalog stations and eleven Internet work
stations, four of which are adjacent to Business Services and Consumer
Information. Two word processing work stations are located near the Internet work
stations, and two typewriters are located nearby. The online catalog has been
located near the Circulation Desk to allow users to request assistance. The
location of the electronic equipment makes the area between the two desks very
crowded and dense with users seeking a range of different services. We did not
observe any way to provide staff or user training except in this area.
The library had attempted to recruit an Information Services Librarian, but they
have not been able to fill this position. The library shares the city's computer
system with two connections for Internet access, but the library needs better
accommodation for technology. The library operates a Beta version of a Gaylord
Polaris system that has had a difficult implementation. Currently the library
receives support from the city's Network Services Department. The consultants
observe that the library needs a professional familiar with online bibliographic
searches and electronic resources for the Information Services Librarian position.
Individuals trained in network installation support the computer system, but do
20
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
not know the electronic library resources. If the library is sited a distance away
from City Hall, then it will need a server room.
Circulation Desk and Work Area: The Circulation Desk does not have enough
clearance for users on the public side; queuing blocks traffic trying to enter the
library and use the online catalog. Nor is there adequate room for staff functions
-` and holds on the staff side. The desk has four discharge positions and two small
staff desks behind it. The staff work desks are shared by several users whose
shifts at times overlap. This requires staff to take work elsewhere in the library.
Registration for library cards occurs at the Information Desk, across from the
circulation desk, and is staffed partly by volunteers. Volunteers occasionally
provide answers regarding information resources or library holdings, which they
are not trained to do. Many of the professional librarians point out that in a new
building, the Circulation Division could take care of registration at a larger desk.
Based on the summary of existing and comparative information above and the
comments from focus groups, it appears that although the residents of Tigard are
receiving adequate library services, the library is below the standards set by the
Oregon Library Association with regard to the size of facilities. The library does
not offer fundamental space amenities which are standard in successful libraries.
Quality library services are impacted by a building that is too small, and these
impacts are being experienced in Tigard. The public's perception of the
shortcomings has been minimized because staff has gone to great lengths to
maintain services and the collections. Users are able to borrow materials easily,
but using the library for any period of time is inconvenient.
To a trained observer, space deficiencies are most apparent because of the
following factors. In order to make room for collections, public seating,
unrestricted meeting space and staff spaces have been reduced. The
relationships between elements of the library—children intruding on the
Reference area, the Reference Desk being removed from its collection, the
congestion around the technology stations—are disruptive. Imaginative
programming in young adults and children's services is limited by of lack of
space. Because itis FULL, the library could be described as being in a holding
pattern rather than functioning as a growing, vigorous institution to enhance the
educational and cultural aspects of the City of Tigard as it grows.
Strong community libraries are often the place in town where people of all ages
derive a benefit. Libraries are in transition at the beginning of the 21st century. In
addition to their traditional role of providing books and videos to check out, they
can serve as an informal neighborhood meeting.place, emulating Borders
Bookstore with a coffee bar and materials to purchase. They can provide
business advice and business services similar to a Kinko's. They can assist with
—
basic education and tutoring for students. They can be a primary venue for low-
21
Needs Analysis - 3 Existing Library Services
cost training on information and computer literacy. They can be a cultural center
for concerts, readings and traveling exhibits.
•
22
Needs Analysis — 4 Recommended Plan of Service
Recommended Plan of Service and Facility
The information from the focus groups and consultant observations suggest that
the following library services need to be offered at the Tigard Library:
- provision of current titles and topics
- provision of general information •
- provision of services that support lifelong learning
- provision of services that support information literacy skills
- provision of services that support business and career information
- provision of spaces for community cultural presentations
A secondary desire of the community is to have a library that the community can
point to with pride.
The plan of service is based on needs to be translated into elements that can be
used to estimate space requirements for the library over the next 15 - 20 years.
The elements that have space implications include the following:
- the size of collections,
- the amount of public seating,
- the number of public use technology stations,
- the number of staff work stations,
- the meeting rooms,
- building systems and support spaces such as mechanical systems and
restrooms.
Both the plan of service and the size of the facility are generated from standards
of the profession. Standards exist as goals to reach; how they are applied
depends on the judgment of the community, the City Council and the library staff,
and relate to the demographic profile of the library's service population. Ideal
standards cannot always be met because of costs; however it is important to
establish them as goals. If a departure from the ideal is necessary, the reasons
for the discrepancy can then be understood by staff and users.
Library buildings are an expensive yet important capital investment for
communities; so it is prudent to plan them to respond to current and future
needs. Effective planning of library facilities begins with a projection of the
-� service population for the planning time frame. In planning for library growth, the
service population is used to determine the necessary categories of library
space. The service population consists of the residents of the community and
residents from beyond the city boundary who can be expected to use the library.
In the case of Tigard, while city residents will probably pay to build the facility, an
important tradeoff should be kept in mind. The library is reimbursed by the
23
Needs Analysis — 4 Recommended Plan of Service
Washington County system based on the number of circulated materials, which
accounts for non-residents who use the facility.
Standards and Service Population
The Oregon State Library lists the current service population of the Tigard Library
at 49,068, but does not project the service population forward to 2017, the
planning time frame. The consultants therefore have turned to statistics provided
by METRO.
The current year 2000 Tigard population is approximately 38,000 people. Using
population statistics from METRO Regional Data Book, prepared by the DRC,
Data Resource Center, which takes population in 1994 and projects it to 2017,
Tigard is listed as having a population of 33,730 in 1994 and is projected to have
a population of 42,789 in 2017. The difference in population between 1994 and
2017 is 9,059, a 27% increase. If the current service population of 49,000 people
were to increase proportionally, the service population will be about 57,000
people in 2017.
With the projected population figures available, space standards related to
population can then be applied to determine the size of the facility. The
standards recommended by the consultants are based on their analysis of library
collections and buildings, from professional literature on library building design
and from standards developed by colleagues. The closest information on
statewide space standards in Oregon appears to be those recommended by the
Oregon State Library Association. Further reading on this topic can be found in
Determining Your Library's Future Size, A Needs Assessment and Planning
Model. The consultants recommend the following standards to project the size of
the collection and required area:
2.5 items per capita in the collection
3.5 items per usable square foot (NSF-Net Square Feet, which includes a
15% circulation factor)
-. Three approaches were used to arrive at reasonable projections for the library's
future size:
1. Applying the collection standard noted above, results in a collection of
122,670 items for the current service population and 142,500 items for the
projected service population in 2017. If we assume the spatial
accommodation of the collection according to the factors above, the library
should currently be about 35,000 NSF, and by 2017, it should be about
40,700 NSF. Adding a Gross Square Foot (GSF) factor of 20% for non-
- assignable space, results in a library in 2017 of about 48,800 GSF.
2. Another way to calculate growth is to assume that libraries ideally increase
their holdings by about 2,000 items per year after weeding. If the current
24
Needs Analysis — 4 Recommended Plan of Service •
•
collection were sized to the per capita standard, it would have 122,670 items.
It would then grow by an additional 34,000 items by 2017 -- becoming a
collection of approximately 156,000 items requiting a library of 44,571 NSF by
the standard. Adding a 20% general circulation factor results in a library of
about 53,500 GSF.
3. The Oregon State Library space standards indicate a library facility should be
3,050 square feet for a population up to 4,000, plus .76 square feet per
person over that. This standard results in a library for the current service
population of Tigard of 37,300 sf and 43,300 sf by 2017. These standards
are not specific as to whether they include gross square feet. According to
the city's information the current library is somewhat over 13,000 square feet.
Application of the three approaches described above results in calculations for a
facility ranging in size from 43,000 to 53,000 GSF, a 20% variation. The
consultants suggest that the library is justified in proceeding into the
programming phase on the basis of recommended square footage that is
somewhat increased over the amount originally targeted in the draft report. That
recommendation was for a library of 44,000 GSF to accommodate a collection of
about 132,000 items. (See memo discussing different population projections
provided by library staff on 8/1/00).
In their review of the draft, staff made two substantive and helpful
comments affecting assignment of space in the library:
• The original calculation for public seating was incorrect. Space should be
increased to allow for seating.
• Building Storage was not included and should be added.
Accommodating these elements results in a building of almost 47,000 GSF,
which is justified by the standards used to estimate area.
— Basic Elements of the Program
The next step is to review the mix of services and programs, and to determine
the appropriate size of the elements of the library to accommodate them. The
basic elements of the library are as follows:
Collections space
User seating
Technology Center, user work stations and training room
Staff work stations
Meeting Room space
Friends of the Library space
25
Needs Analysis - 4 Recommended Plan of Service
Special Use space
Storage space
Non-assignable space
Space for Collections: 13,200 NSF (approximate)
This element includes books (reference materials, fiction and non-fiction books),
periodicals and all other media such as CDs, videos and audio recordings
acquired by the library for public use, with maximum collection size reached over
a 15- 20 year period. By projecting, or estimating the library's collection size over
a 15-20 year period, the space needed to house the collections can be
quantified. Using collection numbers developed earlier, collections space
needed to 2017 is estimated in the following table:
Adults/Young Adults 76,560 items 10 items/SF
AV 9,600 item 15 items/SF
Periodicals 500 titles 1.5 items/SF
Friends' Sale 1,000 items 10 items/SF
Children's 44,340 items 10 items/SF
Total 132,000 items in 13,200 NSF
Public Seating: 3.975 NSF (approximate)
A mix of seating includes lounge seats, seats at tables, carrels, and small group
study spaces. 159 seats @ 25 square feet per seat (on average) equals 3,975
square feet.
A planning guideline of three user seats for every 1,000 people in the service
area is recommended for communities of 35,000-100,000. This standard does
not include meeting room seating or seating at technology stations. This
guideline establishes a starting point for further consideration and should be
adjusted upward or downward depending on the average length of stay in the
library. If the standard is applied liberally, it results in 159 user seats in the
library.
The Tigard Library has received a donation for a special reading room. In Phase
2, the detailed program development phase of the project, the determination of
the size of the special reading room will need to be considered. The library may
have an increased seating standard as a result of the bequest.
•
26
Needs Analysis — 4 Recommended Plan of Service
Public Use Technology Stations and Training Room: 2,000 NSF (approximate)
This category includes all technology equipment such as computers, Internet
access stations, microfiche readers, multimedia stations, copiers, faxes, online
catalogs, etc. Information technology stations are typically provided for public
libraries for accessing electronic resources such as the online public access
catalog (OPAC), the Internet, CD ROMs and other databases, electronic
periodical indexes, encyclopedias, and computers providing software for word-
processing and spread sheets.
The consultants estimate the need for 30 stations (average of 40 SF for each) for
a total of 1,200 square feet. Another 10 stations with the capability to plug
laptops into the network will be needed by the year 2017. In addition, ten
additional areas are needed for photocopy machines, reader assistance devices,
self-checkout machines and printers, increasing the overall space allocation to
2,000 NSF.
Staff Work Areas: 12,700 NSF (approximate)
Four public service points are necessary in the library; an Information/Welcome
Desk, a Circulation Desk, a Reference Desk, and a Children's Desk for
assistance or reference. Several different individuals can occupy a single
workstation at different times. Staff workstations at service desks should be
viewed as fully connected workstations, capable of performing all tasks
associated with running the library. The list of staff work areas includes the
following square footages:
Information Desk 280
Circulation Desk. 1,000
Circulation Work Room 1,850
Children's Desk and Work Room 850
Reference Desk 3,450
-' Reference Workroom 800
Administrative Office and Conference Room 1,470
Technical Services 1,200
Volunteers Work Space 800
Staff Lounge 1,000
Total 12,700
27
Needs Analysis — 4 Recommended Plan of Service
Meeting Rooms: 4,300 NSF (approximate)
Multipurpose Meeting Room 2,400
Conference Room 200
Study Rooms (4) 700
_ Community Room 1,000
Total 4,300
Friends Store: 400 NSF (approximate)
Space to maintain a Friends Bookstore and for storing and processing donations.
Special Use Space: 1,000 NSF (approximate)
Special use space is an accounting device to provide an allowance for special
types of furnishings and displays that aren't already in the program such as
-' dictionary stands, microfilm and microfiche cabinets, map files, vertical files,
paperback spinners, display cases and media display units.
Storage: 1,500 NSF (approximate)
Storage is a necessary element of libraries and is often inadequate. There are
— many types of storage: for library materials, supplies, equipment parts,
maintenance equipment, and seasonal artifacts. An allowance of 1,500 NSF is
recommended.
Non-Assignable Space
All buildings contain areas that cannot be used directly for functional purposes
such as lobby areas and other circulation space, restrooms, mechanical
elements, lobby areas, structure and partition thickness, HVAC shafts, janitor
closets, telecommunications closets. Typically, twenty to thirty percent of mid-
sized library buildings is non-assignable space. If we assume an efficient one-
story building at Tigard, the 20% factor should be adequate because a15%
circulation factor is included in the net square footage allocated for specific
elements.
28
Needs Analysis — 4 Recommended Plan of Service
Total Projected Size of the Library Elements
... The following summary is the consultant's preliminary recommendation for the
size of elements and the total amount of space for the Tigard Library projected to
the year 2017.
Collections 13,200
Public Seating 3,975
Technology Stations and Training 2,000
Staff Work Areas 12,700
Meeting Rooms 4,300
Friends 400
Special Use 1,000
Storage 1,500
Total Assignable Square Feet 39,075
GSF Factor @*20% 7,815
Total Gross Square Feet 46,890
•
29