Library Construction from a Staff Perspective

For anyone who has been, currently is, or is about to be involved in a new build or major library renovation project this is the book for you.

Having been involved in a major new build project in recent years I found the book interesting, enjoyable and amusing at times. It certainly struck several chords and had it been available at the time of our new build I would have recommended it to a number of my colleagues in the library, who would, I’m sure, have found it extremely useful owing to its practical focus, including as it does the points of view of staff in different areas, not just managers.

The Introduction, “From the administrative perspective”, sets the scene, detailing that the book covers the new construction of a 34,000ft² building and 12,000ft² extension to an existing building. From the outset the writers do not claim to cover all the basic steps to be taken in such projects as many books already have done. Instead, they give a refreshing and useful perspective from the point of view of the staff who worked in the Williamsburg Region Library System where the construction and renovation took place.

Section I, entitled “Planning” covers “Building new” (James City Council Library) and “Renovating old” (Williamsburg Library) in separate chapters.

Site visits to recently constructed libraries were arranged – nothing new there, but all staff from all departments were invited to attend and visits were also arranged to “large book stores to see what ideas we could appropriate from the retail world” – an interesting concept worth trying out. The use of an already established “closed to the public day” (Fridays) was extremely useful to the project, and although few of us might be able to implement such a change, perhaps it is worth considering as part of an early planning phase for future projects.

Description follows of all library service aspects giving useful practical ideas. Intermingled with the practical matters and the obvious enthusiasm of the authors is the sense of disappointment that can result from dealings with others external to the library involved in the project and “‘The devil is in the details” became [their] mantra”. From my own experience I can only stress the importance of paying attention to detail, or being prepared to live with the consequences for a long time to come.

Section II entitled “Building” covers “Patron and staff considerations”, “Dealing with the construction professionals” and “Technology upgrades” in three separate chapters – manageable chunks catering for staff of all interests.

The first of these chapters contrasts the differences between “new build” and “renovation” – the first an adventure on site, the latter a discomfort and inconvenience to put it mildly. The authors, however, manage to see the funny side but I will leave the resulting humour for you to enjoy. The second of these chapters relates not only the library staff’s reflections on the process, but also those of the construction management team. As the company involved was apparently famous for its work on jails and prisons the account is both revealing and humorous. “The differences are easy, people welcome libraries for the most part and jails/prisons are usually not well received.”

The more technically minded will enjoy reading in the chapter “Technology upgrades” of how the new build “James City Council Library became the foundation upon which Williamsburg Regional Library could build its technological pyramid” but ended with a very comfortable “$60,000 for something special, like books”.

The final section, entitled “Living with the results”, covers not only publicity and celebration, but also some of the niggling problems which beset all new buildings and services.

Perhaps my only criticism of what is a useful and entertaining account of this experience would be the photographs interspersed throughout the book, most of which do little to increase its appeal.

The role library staff have to play in construction projects is a theme running throughout the book, which ends with the warning “If library staff ignore their place in the construction process, they will likely regret the results”.

The book is supported by an amusing tongue in cheek glossary and six appendices ranging from the eminently sensible “Computer workstation specifications” to the chatty questions you really want to ask (“Staff comments ‘best’ and ‘worst”’).

This is an easy to read, practical, knowledgeable and amusing account of life during library construction, with the most important advice being to keep your sense of humour. The staff of the Williamsburg Regional Library appear to have done so.