The Globus Design Associates Blog

New Library Circulation Desk from start to finish

I've been writing about firm's design and the construction of the new circulation desk for the River Edge Public Library and I'm happy to report it was installed last weekend while the facilities were closed.

From our "drawing boards"

Design concept perspective of a section of the new desk. Design by Globus Design Associates

In the Shop

View of the accessible section designed to meet the new ADA regulations.Photo: Suzan Globus

Interior of the desk showing the book return slot and wire management troughs in the open sections.  Photo: Suzan Globus

To the installation at the library

The desk is in place at the library awaiting delivery of the solid surface counter. Photo: Suzan Globus

The cabinetmaker's installers clean the carpet at the end of the first day of the installation. Photo: Suzan Globus

Take a look at the finished installation on River Edge Public Library's Facebook page

How To Decide Who Will Build the Library Circ Desk

Unless their circulation desk is ordered from a catalogue, most libraries will have to purchase a circulation desk custom made for their needs about once every 10-20 years.  How does the staff decide who is qualified to fabricate the desk?

 
Circulation Desk ADA Section.  Design by Globus Design Associates

1.  Before your start the process, hire an interior design professional to design the desk to your exact requirements.  The design professional can show you how to achieve a well made, sustainable, desk with flexibility to meet changing requirements.

2.  Submit shop drawings to three fabricators.

Circulation Desk perspective.  Globus Design Associates

The lowest bid may not be the best, so investigate by asking the following questions:

1. Can the fabricator supply references?  If so, call and ask about his/her/performance.

2. Ask how the fabricator guarantees the work and what procedure is followed in case of a problem.

3. Understand the main business of the fabricator.  If it is a shop that specializes in school furniture, for example, will your project languish during the summer months while the shop is busy filling orders for schools?

4. Make sure the fabricator is not subbing out the job to an cabinet shop unknown to you.

5. Ask if you can see the desk in progress. 

If you hire a designer to oversee this process, all of these questions and more will be addressed by the designer including approving finish samples before final production begins.  A circulation desk is a big investment for a library.  It's best to avoid surprises and ensure the desk you want is what will be delivered.

 

Sticker Shock - How Designers Help When the Actual Exceeds the Estimated

I checked in with a client to see what responses he was receiving from issuing a request for quotations to fabricate a custom circulation desk for his library and found him surprised at the increase in price from the estimated price of the desk.  Although it doesn't happen frequently, increases can occur and when they do, it's important to understand why.

REASONS FOR INCREASES IN ESTIMATES

1. The estimate was prepared more than a year ago.  Most estimates are valid for 30 days.

2. The design changed after the estimate was requested.  If additional drawers, files, locks,  shelves or other storage features are added due to evolving staff needs, they will increase the bottom line.

3. The desk size grew between the time the estimate was requested and the purchase is ready to be made.  If the foot print of the desk increases, its price will as well.  By using $200 per linear foot as a rough base cost gauge, it's easy to see the costs add up when the desk size increases.

4. The client asked for additional services from the vendor.  Requesting moving existing furniture out of the way, disassembling and removing the existing circulation desk or any other ancillary service will add cost to the estimate.

5. The vendor changed fabricators.   It is not unusual for small businesses to close, move, or  be acquired by a larger company forcing the vendor to seek  pricing from a different contractor than the one who quoted the estimate originally.

These are some of the factors which can cause a difference between the estimated and actual costs.  If the difference is price is unmanageable, the interior designer can do several things to assist:

ACTIONS DESIGNERS CAN TAKE TO MITIGATE INCREASED COSTS

1. Review the quotation to identify any ancillary service costs which were not included in the budget.

2. Request an itemized quote from the vendor to review all costs for accuracy.  Understanding this will help the designer determine where to most effective cut costs if it is necessary to execute step 4 below.

3. Negotiate with the vendor as the client's representative to effect a cost savings agreeable to all.

4. Revise the design to accommodate the budget.  Revising a completed and approved design has service costs attached to it, so it is last on the list.  However if it is necessary, the designer has the resources to creatively effect cost savings without jeopardizing the integrity of the design and function.

Library Interior Design Before and After

One of our prospective clients requested that we bring some before and after photos to their interview of firms that have been "short listed" for their renovation project.  It is is a great reminder that these types of photos help clients to put the change interior design creates in some kind of context. Showing before and after photos also helps me to explain the value of design beyond the pretty pictures that capture the results, because they remind me to discuss what programatic challenges the project presented.  Here is an example:
Before: The photo of the existing circulation desk covered during demolition triggers a discussion about how the library staff will function during the renovation.  Note the design presentation boards on top of the desk which display samples of the new building finishes to be installed.

Before: This photo of the Red Bank Public Library   before the redesign indicates sightlines, ease of use for non-English speaking patrons and a welcoming entrance were among the design program issues.

Before: Dense book stack placement and tall furnishings did not conform to the ADA guidelines and obscured the view of the river which would be a drawing card for the Library.

 

Photo: Stephen Carr

After: With sight lines improved, periodical shelving conforming to  ADA guidelines, materials reorganized for ease of location and comfortable riverfront seating, the library welcomes new customers.

Before:  Shown functioning as a staging area during the renovation, this historically significant room, a building highlight,  was underused before the library was redesigned.

Photo: Stephen Carr
After: With finishes restored, special collections securely displayed and new furnishings appropriate to the period installed, this room adds value to the library by functioning as a meeting room, quiet study space, reception area and tourist attraction.

 

Smaller Library Circulation Desk Opens Space for Growth

Downsizing is not just for baby boomers. We are happy to be designing a new circulation desk for the River Edge Public Library to bring the library into compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act's new 2010 guidelines.  Similar to many older circulation desks in existing libraries, this one was taking up a lot of real estate.

Existing desk upon entering the library.  Photo: Suzan Globus

Desk from front facing  Photo: Suzan Globus

End of circulation desk  Photo: Suzan Globus

The existing desk measures 54 linear feet.Through the years, sections of it have been repurposed as shown by the circular media display above.  The new desk will measure 30 linear feet and will be positioned in line with the wall perpendicular to the column on the right in the top photo.  This will give those entering the library an unobstructed view through the windows on the back wall (top photo). It will also position the staff closer to their office as well as enable them to easily greet those entering.  Relocating and reducing the size of the desk opens up some very valuable floor space for new materials, display,additional seating and computers to enable the library to keep up with the increased demand for those functions in the future.

Rendering of proposed circulation desk. Drawing: Alden Anderson