Provides materials about local and regional events (both historical and current). The fiction area is comprised of stories set in the Northwest while nonfiction carries a variety of information on the Nez Perce, geology, forest fires, and more. This section also boasts a large collection of books on Lewis & Clark's expedition.
89 feet of linear shelf space.
Books are shelved in two nonadjacent spaces due to overcrowding. The typewriter and table currently housed in the section makes shelving and browsing of the reference titles hard for elderly and disabled patrons as the table is located approximately 15" away from the shelving unit. All shelf space is put to use with little room for further expansions. The shelving is 7 feet tall, a height many patrons are unable to reach.
Average # of visitors/day: 5-10
Largest attendance: 3
An ideal space would be approximately double the current lineal feet (178 feet) of continuous space. Lower shelving (6' maximum) that is raised approximately 8" off the floor so patrons can browse the lower shelves without stooping or crawling on their knees.
Many books are one-of-a-kind and are either quite large or pamphlet-sized. Current shelving does not allow for varying sizes.
Free online access brings many patrons to the library who may not use it otherwise.
132 square feet of floor space, 24 square feet of countertop space.
The main computer area has 3 computers and two printers housed in it. A copy machine also resides here. Patrons using the computers sit approximately 15" apart and have little privacy.
A computer was added around the corner to help fill the growing need for more access (3 square feet). Two computers reside in the children's room (24 square feet of countertop space).
Average # of visitors/day: 15-25
Maximum: 8
The computers are used an average of 58% of the time they are available. During peak hours (usually 3-6 pm) we are not able to accommodate a quarter of the patrons' requests for time availability.
An ideal space would house approximately 10 computers with room for more. A technology corner would house a fax machine, the copier, and printers. A bulletin board with new computer information and a display case.
Privacy is key in maintaining the computer area.
Patrons seeking information on a broad range of topics use this area of the library to answer their questions.
630 square feet of floor space.
Oversize nonfiction uses 133 linear feet of shelf space.
Regular nonfiction uses 522.5 linear feet of shelf space.
Shelves are 7.5 feet high and many of the bottom shelves contain books.
Average # of visitors/day: 30-40
Maximum: 10
Our oversize collection contains heavy volumes that may be hard for patrons to lift if on low or high shelving. This section could be blended with the regular nonfiction of all shelving was widely spaced.
A quiet spot for reading, browsing, or conversation, the reading room is an important community gathering point.
A small space of approximately 144 square feet that contains one couch, a small coffee table, and four chairs. Daily editions of newspapers are placed on one wall.
Average # of visitors/day: 25-30
Maximum: 20
A much larger, more open space of approximately 800 square feet. Windows are key to allowing natural lighting. Space for tables for studying or research are also needed.
A story time center, reading room, computer area, homework help center, and library in one.
315 square feet of floor space.
J Nonfiction uses 99 linear feet of shelf space.
J Fiction uses 206 linear feet of shelf space.
Shelves are 5.5 feet tall, a height that does not allow for shorter children to reach all materials easily. Display areas are minimal. The computers are tucked into a dark corner and do not allow for privacy.
Average # of visitors/day: 25-30
Maximum: 53
Children's computers are being used 30% of allowable time.
An ideal space would house three computers so that a family can better take part in the educational games they offer. Shelving units would be shorter. Lighting and available floor space would increase dramatically. Tables for homework or study would be included.
Privacy is key in maintaining the computer area.
Research and pleasure reading.
115 linear feet of shelf space.
Average # of visitors/day: 5
Maximum: 10
An ideal space would be approximately double the size (230 linear feet of space). Lower shelving (6 foot instead of the current 7) and raised shelves for better visibility of materials on lower shelves.
Biographies last through the ages, so weeding of materials will be minimal. The current size is only going to expand as the years progress.
Pleasure reading for all ages.
1026 linear feet of shelf space. Shelves are 16.5 feet long and 7 foot high, allowing for minimal light to enter. The stacks are dim and the lower shelves get little use as patrons cannot see the materials. Paperbacks are shelved separately on well-used racks by genre. New Fiction end caps are crowded with recent arrivals.
Average # of visitors/day: 35-40
Maximum: 55
The online catalog viewed through the VALNet computer gets much use as patrons search for their own materials.
An ideal space would house approximately double the shelf space (2050 feet). Shelves would be lower (6 feet at maximum) and lighting increased significantly. A large area for new arrivals and/or themed displays.
Privacy is key in maintaining the computer area.
Expensive, one-of-a-kind, or old materials are housed in a display case in the adult fiction room.
16.5 lineal feet of shelf space.
A cramped display case where books are not easy to browse as the case is at ground-level and filled with books whose spine (which tells the title of the book) is often unreadable. Since these books do not check out, their sole function is for in-library use, a demand that is not readily supplied as the locked case is blocked by two reading chairs.
Few patrons browse these titles.
Average # of visitors/day: 1
Maximum: 2
Approximately triple the shelf space (50 feet) with archival-quality display cases. While these rare books do need to be secured by a lock, they should be accessible to the public.
Many of these books are valuable and may be destroyed if handled frequently. The possibility of combining these books with the Museum's may need to be considered.
Homework help center, story time area, play room, and reading room in one.
306 feet of floor space.
100 lineal feet of shelf space.
A cramped space that includes a couch, toys and games, boxed theme kits, a table and chairs, and floor pillows. Shelves are full and room for expansion is minimal. The area is well-lighted but the high shelves make shelf-top displays lost to the younger patron.
Average # of visitors/day: 25-30
Maximum: 35
Shelving units would be a maximum height of 4.5 feet. A "treasure chest" with toys and games and a bin for board books would be used widely. A parenting section within this room for prenatal information may be considered.
Child-friendly electrical outlets and other hazards must be addressed.
A "hangout" for area youth, this small area is a combination of reading room, conversation area, wrestling center, and library.
60 square feet of floor space.
714 lineal feet of shelf space.
A tiny area filled with two chairs, two end tables, and a beanbag. Conversations tend to be loud and drift towards the adult reading room area.
Highly populated after 3 pm on weekdays, this area is not able to accommodate the amount of children wanting to use it. Many tend to stray out onto the study tables to converse or read as there is not enough room in the designated area.
Average # of visitors/day: 5
Maximum: 10
More space! A total floor space of 500 square feet would be ideal. Shelving units can be up to 6.5 feet high, and a couch, beanbags, and other reading furniture would be appreciated. A table and chairs for studying/research, plus a display case and bulletin board would help inform area teens about upcoming events.
The patrons using this section are larger and more active than those in the children's section. The space needs to be both comfortable and current in order to keep teens interested in using it.
Browsing, informational research, and pleasure reading.
48 linear feet of shelf space.
Newest editions of magazines go in a twirling rack. Past issues are displayed for two months, then shelved.
Average # of visitors/day: 10-15
Maximum: 20
Lower shelving units (6 foot maximum). A computer for looking up online magazine sources would boost usage as well as a printer for easy retrieval of documents.
A little-used section housing GED-prep materials plus a large collection of learning to read materials.
84 lineal feet of shelf space. On one side the shelving unit is crowded by a typewriter, on the other by a study desk. Browsing, which is essential for this section, is minimal.
All ages. Students wishing to receive their GED, older adults wishing to learn how to read or speak English, and visitors from the Adult Learning Center are sent to this section.
Average # of visitors/day: 3
Maximum: 5-10
More display shelving areas without blocked shelf space would be essential.
The Adult Learning Center, if in the new library, could house these materials separately.
Popular research materials.
83.5 lineal feet of shelf space.
The reference shelves are quite tall and many books are quite heavy.
All ages use this section, which houses Chilton auto repair manuals, World Book encyclopedias, legal information, current antique price guides, and more.
Average # of visitors/day: 10-15
Maximum: 20
Lower shelving would allow all patrons to retrieve heavy books from all shelves. Since many are oversized, the shelving would need to be widely spaced.
Since reference materials do not check out, they need to be highly visible and easily accessible for in-library use.
Library staff's area to process and store incoming materials, mend existing materials, plan events, and maintain the library.
40 square feet of countertop space.
100 square feet of floor space.
18 feet of lineal shelf space.
Up to 5 library staff members will be working at one time in this small area. One computer and typewriter reside here, as do all the office supplies for the library. Books abound in all corners as staff try to process materials in the cramped environment.
Unfortunately there are many. The workroom is considered by many patrons to be an extension of the front desk and conflicts arise as the staff's private area becomes a conversation ground for interested patrons.
Average # of visitors/day: 5-10
Maximum: 15
There are three computers designated for staff use. These computers are used frequently during working hours.
An ideal space would house approximately 10 computers with room for more. A technology corner would house a fax machine, the copier, and printers. A sink would be nice in this area with counter space a high priority along with shelving and cupboards.
Privacy is key in maintaining the computer area.
Patrons with vision difficulty find this area especially helpful, as it houses books with large font sizes. Since many of the titles shelved here are not found in the regular fiction section, it offers more selection for all ages of patrons.
44 lineal feet of shelf space. There is no room for expansion in this section as all the shelves are full. Reshelving books is sometimes a problem as there is no room. This is especially bad in this section, as many elderly patrons frequent it and are not adept at reshelving their own books in tight spaces.
Average # of visitors/day: 5
Maximum: 10
The ideal space would be approximately double the lineal shelf space (88 lineal feet). Our community has many older patrons and this is a great resource for them. Shelving should not be as high as in other areas (or as low) as physical handicaps may prevent browsing.
The age of the prospective patron must be taken into consideration when building an area suited for them.
Patrons use the audio cassettes to listen to books while driving, exercising, and doing other activities that do not allow them to hold books. Patrons that have trouble seeing or holding books can still easily enjoy them by listening to them.
Four spinning racks house our audio collection.
Average # of visitors/day: 5-10
Maximum: 15
Optimum space would include a wide walkway around 7 spinning racks. One rack would contain our traveling audio collection and the rest would allow for expansion of the existing collection as well as new additions.
A traveling audio collection must be shelved separately from ours.
Families and patrons who would not be able to afford renting videos can enjoy them without cost at the library. This section is extremely popular and contains video adaptations of books as well as videos for entertainment and education.
47 lineal feet of shelf space with no room for expansion.
Average # of visitors/day: 20-25
Maximum: 30
Approximately 2.5x the shelf space would be ideal (150 lineal feet). This collection is always growing and videos are rarely withdrawn unless they do not work anymore.
A rotating video collection must be shelved separately from our collection.
Conference room, volunteer/staff break room, file and book storage room, computer access room and director's office in one.
Floor space: 187.5 square feet
40 square feet of countertop space
Currently the director's office has little privacy (no closable door between office and the rest of the library). Since storage for incoming books is so limited, a wall was transformed into a shelf unit for books. Filing cabinets, a refrigerator and staff break area use valuable floor space. One chair is available for conferencing, and the director's desk is a countertop built into the wall facing a window.
Average # of visitors/day: 5
Maximum: 10
The current floor space would be acceptable if there was no storage or break area in the room. A movable desk, shelving for director's materials, and a bulletin board are needed. Natural lighting is essential for an effective workspace. Room for visitors to sit and converse is also important.
This office needs a way to be an inviting, open area at times while still maintaining closed-door privacy for certain occasions.
Staff's personal locker area, plus storage for new books, program materials, craft materials, donations, volunteer snacks, and seasonal decorations.
Floor space: 90 square feet (shelves cover two walls leaving actual floor space at 52.5 square feet).
68 linear feet of shelf space.
12 lockers and a coat rack occupy one corner of the storage room. One large filing cabinet and large shelving units take up almost all space in this room. One narrow walkway often ends up being blocked as all shelves are full and there is no other room to store things.
Staff members.
A much, much larger space: approximately quadruple the floor space (360 square feet) at least. Linear shelf space could be doubled (140 feet). Storage bins built into the wall would be nice as well. A well-lit area with solidly built shelves not above 6.5 feet high.
Since staff are primarily working in this area, it only needs to be a functional area that serves its purpose to the utmost extent.
Used to store back issues of periodicals (magazines and newspapers
Shelving for storage for at least 5 years of back issues of magazines and newspapers.
Needs to be accessible to both staff and patrons.
Area where materials are checked in/out. Returned materials are shelves here before being reshelved in the appropriate space in the stacks. Staff answers patron questions, directs patrons to appropriate parts of the library, and answers the phone. Materials that are on hold for patrons or have been received from other libraries on interlibrary loan are kept here until the patron picks them up. Materials being loaned to other libraries or are being returned to other libraries are kept here until the VALNet courier picks them up.
Desk space for at least three computers is needed along with adjacent counter space to allow for efficient checkout/in of materials. Shelving for returned materials and for materials on hold or on interlibrary loan. Shelving for materials to be sent with the VALNet courier. Space for the phone to be accessible to staff without interrupting the other activities at the desk. Display area for notices, etc.
Needs to be cheerful, welcoming area. Handicapped access is essential.
Entrance to the library with display areas including bulletin boards, display cases, possible coat and umbrella racks.
Handicap access is essential.
Place to hold staff and board of trustees meetings. Other library meetings and public meetings could be held here.
Nothing.
A room with one or two large tables with comfortable chairs as a place to hold meetings. Also, cupboards and a counter top with sink and maybe a small refrigerator to facilitate refreshments or an occasional working lunch.