Furniture AlternativesPresentation to

The King County Board of TrusteesApril 30, 2014

Furniture Study Group

Context

• Three Mercer Island Residents conducted a walk through review of furniture in the library.• An inventory of upholstered furniture was taken, noting their general

condition• Furniture in Staff areas was not included at the request of Mercer

Island Library Management

Findings

• All pieces are in sturdy condition with all fabrics having some wear and/or soiling.• One lounge chair has an arm with a broken interior frame which can

be repaired. • Four wood arm chairs could have the arms refinished or at least

“touched up”.• Cushioning, whether tight to frames or loose cushions seem to be in

good condition, not requiring replacement. However, stripping off the existing fabric would determine if or where foam replacement is necessary.

Sofa in Mercer Island Children’s Area: Cozy “living room” feeling accommodates all family members, including teen

Sofa in Newcastle Children’s Area: Not possible for children to sit BESIDE parents while reading due to convex curve—modern, “airport” look rather than “living room” feeling of Mercer Island furniture

Soft, cushioned seats by Mercer Island tables on left.Hard wood seats and benches by tables in Newcastle Library on right. Which would YOU rather sit in for writing?

Cushioned easy chairs and sofas with padded arms in MI Library on left. Plastic covered chairs without arms in Newcastle Library on right.Which would YOU rather sit in for reading?

Cozy, cushioned sofa in teen area of Mercer Island Library on left.Chair with plastic back in teen area of Newcastle Library on right.MI teen said: “It’s comfortable.” Newcastle teen said: “It’s OK. A sofa would be nice.”

Sofa in teen area of Mercer Island Library on left still looks new.Chair in teen area of Newcastle Library on right only 1 ½ years old already looks shabby.

OPTIONS REGARDING USE OF EXISTING UPHOLSTERED FURNITURE• Professionally clean all upholstered furniture.• Reupholster all the upholstered furniture in fabrics complementary

to new floor coverings.• Reupholster all furniture that is considered lounge furniture in fabrics

complementary to new floor coverings and professionally clean fabrics on furniture that is more office like.• Fire and soil retardation of fabrics should be investigated for toxicity.• There may be moving and storage costs accompanying the upholstery

labor.• An upholsterer’s report is pending.