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PAGE 46 VOL. 75, NO. 2 • SUMMER 2012 MISSISSIPPI LIBRARIESLibrarians and Architects: Q & AJoyce M. Shaw, Head, Gunter Library, andAssociate Professor • University of SouthernMississippi • joyce.shaw@usm.eduPhilip W. Shaw, Architect • Shaw DesignGroup • shawdesigngroup@cableone.netABSTRACTA librarian and an architect discussedthe process of planning and designing orrenovating a library. Their discussion is presentedin a question and answer format. Aresource list is included.INTRODUCTIONIn spite of several decades of doomsdayprophesies about the end of libraries as thephysical space we know, libraries not onlystill stand, but continue to prosper andgrow. People still use libraries. Books, magazinesand journals – in many interesting andchanging formats, continue to be published,and librarians continue to provide servicesthat help patrons navigate these changes.Libraries as a place and sense of place continueto be more than a simple repositoryfor books. In communities, schools, universities,and organizations, libraries are culturalcenters and intellectual loci.If the opportunity arises for you to beinvolved with planning a new library (orsignificantly renovating a library), then beprepared to asct as the bridge between yourinstitution and a professional design team.Whether or not your plans involve the creationof the award-winning library of thefuture, once you have made the decision toconstruct (or renovate) a library, the nextstep is to develop the relationship betweentwo professionals – the librarian and thearchitect. This article provides an overviewto building that relationship using a questionand answer format and includes a shortlist of books, articles, and Web resources tohelp you feel confident and comfortable inthe world of design and construction. Thefollowing questions posed by a librarian areanswered with the help of an architect.QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS1. Who will be involved with making theselection of the design team? Do not besurprised if you are brought into theprocess after an architectural firm hasbeen chosen.2. Is having previously designed a libraryan important factor when selecting anarchitectural firm? This is not a dealbreaker. A good architect should havethe skills to make it work.3. If the firm has not designed a library,what local commercial spaces, schools,public, or community facilities shouldbe included in its portfolio? This is thetypical scenario. Pay a visit to some oftheir other projects and note what elementsyou like and do not like.4. Has the firm worked with stakeholdersin the public arena including volunteerand elected boards, community members,college presidents, librarians, campusarchitects, and others? In somecases, the librarian will represent thesegroups and will bring the stakeholder’sissues to the table. Having a designerwho is willing to meet with the stakeholdersis a plus.5. What specifics do architects need toknow about your library? This is themost important question! Try to detailthis part of the discussion as comprehensivelyas possible to the team. If you areusing this renovation or new building tomake major changes in your services,programs, the collection, or technology,now is the time to describe how you seethe space functioning now and in thefuture.6. If you are involved with fundraising or acapitol campaign for funding the constructionor renovation, have you partneredwith the design firm for help withcreating supporting materials? The firmcan provide renderings, descriptions,models, and other props which will helpexplain the project to potential donors.7. How important is having a “green” (sustainable)project? Does the firm haveexperience with LEED requirements andstandards? Architects are very good atmaking green choices that are also longterm money savers. If having a LEEDcertified project is a selling point todonors or important for grants, be sureto make that known to the design team.8. When is the best time to discuss finisheson counter tops, types of windowshades, and carpet color? Interior decoratingis best discussed near the end ofthe process. Most firms have someonewho will work with you on finishingdetails.The best way to approach a constructionor renovation project is to be familiar withthe concepts and vocabulary. Coming intothe process as the library expert withenough information to feel comfortablewith the process will make you a valuableresource for the design team. Use the followingresource list to get a start on theprocess. RESOURCE LISTAmerican Institute of Architects. You and YourArchitect: A Guide for a Successful Partnership.http://info.aia.org/blast_images/mrkt/brochure_wtw_yaya.pdf (accessed April 29,2010).Darnton, Robert. “5 myths about the ‘InformationAge.’” The Chronicle of Higher Education,April 17, 2011. http://chronicle.com/article/5-Myths-About-the-Information/127105/ (accessed April 20, 2011).Rolf Erikson and Carolyn Markuson, Designinga School Library Media Center for the Future.Chicago: American Library Association,2007.Latimer, Karen. “Redefining the library: currenttrends in library design.” Art LibrariesJournal 35 (2010): 28-35.Leighton, Philip D., and David C. Weber.Planning Academic and Research LibraryBuildings. Chicago: ALA, 1999.Murdock, James. “Beauty and the book,” ArchitecturalRecord. http://archrecord.construction.com/projects/building_types_study/libraries/2011/libraries-intro.asp (accessedMay 5, 2011).Sannwald, William W., ed. Checklist of LibraryBuilding Design Considerations. Chicago:ALA, 2001.Steward, Christopher. The Academic LibraryBuilding in the Digital Age: A Study of Construction,Planning, and Design of NewLibrary Space. Chicago: ACRL, 2010.U.S. Green Building Council. http://www.usgbc.org/ (accessed May 5, 2011).Woodward, Jeannette A. Countdown to a NewLibrary: Managing the Building Project.Chicago: ALA, 2000.
MISSISSIPPI LIBRARIES VOL. 75, NO. 2 • SUMMER 2012 PAGE 47Library Renovation LessonsLearned…and Still LearningMantra Henderson, M.L.I.S.Director of James H. White LibraryMississippi Valley State Universitymlhenderson@mvsu.eduABSTRACTThis article focuses on the renovation ofthe James Herbert White Library at MississippiValley State University, and the lessonsthat were learned during the process. Themassive renovation project of the JamesHerbert White Library presents a balancebetween aesthetics and functionality, library“look and feel” and technology, as well ashonoring and remembering the past whilecreating a 21st century student-centeredlibrary.There were many issues to consider. Theissues, which will be planning considerations,architectural history, library designand building features, and the lessonslearned during the process.INTRODUCTION:A BRIEF HISTORY OF THE JAMESHERBERT WHITE LIBRARYWhen Mississippi Vocational Collegewas established in 1950, there was no specificspace allocated as a library. In 1957,when the “T” shaped Science-LibraryBuilding was completed, the college librarytook up residence in one of the wings. Thecollege library had a seating capacity of 300students, four office spaces, a facultylounge, and shelf space for books, magazines,and other periodicals.In 1954, Mr. John Perches became thecollege’s first official librarian. Under histenure, the library grew progressively. Mr.Perches is credited with establishing thelibrary’s first audio-visual center for highschools in the area. From 1957-1961, Ms.Berdie Odom Weir served as the librarianalong with three assistants. During thistime, the library collections grew to 4,551books. In 1962, Mrs. Clara Bedenfieldbecame head librarian. The library staffthen consisted of seven staff members andseveral part-time student assistants. Thecollections grew to more than 22,918 volumeswith subscriptions to 152 magazinesand 19 newspapers.In 1968, under Mrs. Bedenfield’s leadership,the library contained 55,023 volumeswith 24 staff members including studentassistants. During the college’s SouthernAssociation of Colleges and Schools (SACS)visit in 1968, the committee recommendedthat the university construct a new library,transfer the responsibilities for the library tothe academic dean, hire an acquisition anda catalog librarian, and increase the collectionholdings to 150,000 volumes. Thesame year, library automation was initiatedin the circulation area. Following the 1968SACS recommendations, construction tothe new library commenced in 1971. Thenew 53,000 square foot library constructedat a cost of $1,250,000 was designated asthe James Herbert White Library. The newlibrary was an award-winning, modern twostory building (see figure 1) with an elevator,research carrels, group study rooms, ashelving capacity of 160,000 volumes, andthe ability to seat 750 students. The librarystaff and its resources were relocated to thenewly constructed library in 1973.Figure 1 – Current James H. White Library 2010.Since the 1970s, the university has seena tremendous increase in its student population.Over time, this increase challengedthe library’s ability to function and serve theeducational and research needs of students,faculty, staff, and the community.As the library is the heart of the universitycampus, physically and figuratively, thelibrary plays a vital role in teaching andlearning. In order to make this happen, thebuilding required major enhancements andrenovations. This all changed in 2005 whenthe library was slated to undergo a$14,480,347 expansion and renovationproject. The progress on this project cameto a halt in 2007. However, in 2009, theproject recommenced, but it changed froma fourteen million dollar expansion-renovationproject to an approximately thirteenmillion dollar renovation project.The many lessons that were learnedalong the way and that library staff are stilllearning came during various stages of theproject. However, the focus of this articlewill be on those that occurred during theplanning process, the discovery of the architecturalhistory of the current building, andthe library design and building featuresphase of the project.PLANNING PROCESS /CONSIDERATIONSThe James Herbert White Library supportsthe university’s mission by providingbooks, materials, services, and effectiveaccess to facilities and resources in supportof the university curriculum. In addition,the library serves as a hub of the campus,stimulating teaching and learning from aglobal perspective. In collaboration withother academic units, the library promotesand empowers students and faculty toexplore their research goals and flourish aslifelong learners. Moreover, the libraryembraces and supports the use of electronictechnologies and instructing students inseeking, evaluating and interpreting information.Thus, the purpose was to create afacility that enhances the productivity ofthe faculty and students. The goal is to reimagineand integrate traditional serviceapproaches with information literacy andtechnology in locating, finding and interpretinginformation. Our central theme wasuser focused. However, during the course ofthe project, it was determined that therewere several areas of concern that the librarywanted the expansion and renovation toaddress. They included providing better useof learning spaces to create a better teachingand learning environment that includesindividual and group spaces, enhancingnatural daylight, improving temperaturecontrol, providing proper library signage,updating electrical and network wiring,compliance with ADA, adequate librarystaff workspace, providing for interactivelearning capabilities, exhibits and recep-
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