Expert Makeover: Library Transformers Bring Savings and Smart Design | Library by Design
In New Jersey, a SWAT Team of library transformers were sent in to four libraries in dire need of affordable makeovers Sep 20, 2011As in many areas of the country, New Jersey libraries are struggling to meet higher demand and maintain critical services in the face of reduced state and local funding. And library space is at a premium without a lot of renovation money to go around. This gap prompted the New Jersey State Library, on the recommendation of State Librarian Norma Blake’s Blue Ribbon Task Force on the Future of Libraries, to create the “SWAT Team of Library Transformers.” This group of four librarians, all of whom had addressed similar challenges in their own facilities, shared their expertise with four New Jersey public libraries in dire need of affordable makeovers.
“All of our libraries have shown a dramatic increase in traffic over the past two years,” says Blake, LJ’s 2008 Librarian of the Year. “More and more job-seekers, reading program families, and people on tighter budgets are coming to our libraries, meaning our older libraries need to become more welcoming and more efficiently utilize every available space. When taxpayers walk into their libraries, they want them to be attractive, inviting, and easily accessible. Our SWAT Team worked with libraries to ensure each got the most out of their budgeted money.”
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HARDHATS AT WORK SWAT Team members |
The team
Mount Laurel Library director Kathy Schalk-Greene led the team, tapping lessons learned when she transformed her building into a nationally acclaimed bookstore-style library. Other team members were Jayne Beline, director of the Parsippany-Troy Hills Library; Cheryl McBride, director of the North Brunswick Library; and Gloria Urban, director of the Vineland Public Library.
The team worked with the selected libraries—Caldwell, Matawan-Aberdeen, Midland Park, and Gloucester County Library’s Glassboro Branch—as expert consultants regarding their projects. The team visited each library and collaborated on a detailed transformation plan. Throughout the process team members were available for consulting, advice, and moral support.
Libraries were chosen for the program based on applications detailing their needs and transformational goals. Each had to commit at least $5000 to the makeover, with all projects completed within 11 months. State funding paid for the team members’ consulting time.
“With the guidance of our experts, these libraries were able to show dramatic, visible transformations in their floor plans that resulted in improved customer service,” says Blake. “I hope this program will serve as a demonstration project for other libraries, both in New Jersey and nationwide, that library interiors can be transformed without a lot of money.”
The 2010 SWAT Team Project worked so well that four new libraries have been selected this year: Atlantic County Library–Mays Landing; Clifton Public Library–Allwood Branch; Passaic Public Library; and Sayreville Public Library.
More information is available at swatteam.njlibraries.org/index.html.
Here’s what they accomplished.
CALDWELL PUBLIC LIBRARY
Grandeur Plus Functionality
The Caldwell Public Library opened in 1917 as a small one-story brick structure, but expansion had compromised the original charm of this Carnegie Library. The transformation goal was to restore the grandeur of the original library, organize the space to reflect the warm “heart of our town” feeling, and optimize available space to meet user needs. Changes included removing shelving to make the entryways more welcoming, moving the circulation desk for greater visual impact, relocating all printed library information onto slatwalls, and reducing clutter throughout. Funds were spent painting the first floor, rebuilding and highlighting a historic window, adding new shelving for media, and installing slatwall. The library doubled its original commitment with matching funds from the local women’s club.
COST $13,690 (COMPLETED DECEMBER 2010)
GLOUCESTER COUNTY LIBRARY–GLASSBORO BRANCH
Let in the Light
The Gloucester County Library’s Glassboro Branch was once a circa 1950 grocery store with few windows. The library wanted to brighten the dark paneled interior, arrange library materials in a more inviting and easily accessible way, and make better use of the interior space. Staff removed old shelving, weeded materials, and rearranged the furniture to create a more welcoming space for users. Project funds were spent on painting the entire interior, with the assistance of design and sign artists, significantly brightening the space. More comfortable, updated furniture was added with financing from the Friends of the Library. A bonus to the SWAT project was the transformation of the only meeting room thanks to a local Boy Scout who saw an opportunity to earn his Eagle Scout badge. He secured donations of materials and labor to install new flooring, cabinetry, and custom painting and coordinated it with the new look of the library’s interior.
COST $14,178 (COMPLETED OCTOBER 2010)
MATAWAN-ABERDEEN LIBRARY
A Major Housecleaning
The Matawan-Aberdeen Library showed a 257 percent increase in DVD circulation over the previous year, with demand for new and old movies increasing. The challenge was to find space for this popular service in the 9880 square foot library. Improvements included buying new DVD shelving, realigning the shelving for better sight lines, and categorizing the DVDs. New library catalog computers were installed on space-saving end panels.
Although the staff met its goal, other needed changes were made. A corner with a microfilm reader was cleaned out and reconfigured to support computer job searching and one-on-one computer tutoring. The basement was cleared of years of accumulated books, furniture, and other clutter (two dumpsters’ worth!); the local newspaper was digitized, and old local journals were donated to the historical society. The technical services department was moved out of the basement. The basement will be used to expand the public meeting room.
COST $6000 (COMPLETED DECEMBER 2010)
MIDLAND PARK MEMORIAL LIBRARY
Clarifying Overhaul
The Midland Park Memorial Library was built in the knotty pine style of the 1950s and expanded over the years. Its renewal plan addressed both the main circulation area so that new materials would stand out and sought to update and improve the overall ambiance of the library. Improvements included weeding of almost 20 percent of the collection. Shelving that was blocking access was replaced with new shelving that was arranged to make the area more open and accessible. The makeover also installed shelving to highlight the fireplace and removed excess furniture and tables that were obscuring sight lines.
While completing these goals, the Midland Park staff and SWAT Team identified larger needs. Staff then worked with an architect to develop an expanded plan. Funded by the Board of Trustees with dedicated reserve monies,the expanded plan’s goal was threefold: to provide a more cohesive entrance into the library, better delineating the adult and children’s areas; move the circulation desk to a central area, allowing staff better views of both the front and back entrances; and remove a public restroom from the middle of the library, replacing it with separate restrooms for men and women in a less central spot. “People walk into the library now and say, ‘Wow!’ ” says Director Melissa Hughes.
COST $200,000 (COMPLETED JUNE 2011)
| Author Information |
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Gary Cooper is the Public Relations & News Media Contact for the New Jersey State Library. Kathy Schalk-Greene is Director of the Mount Laurel Library and leader of the SWAT Team of Library Transformers |
This article originally appeared in print in the Library by Design supplement published by LJ on Sep. 15, 2011. Read on for more Library by Design articles and ongoing architecture coverage from LJ.
