small project, big difference

Small project, big difference!AILP 2015 : THE L IBRARY AS EXPERIENCE

Anne BaileyDirector, Branch Libraries

Toronto Public Library

STRATEGIES AND IDEAS · CASE STUDY KEY INGREDIENTS · LESSONS LEARNED

Johanna RomeroCoordinator, Space Administration

Wilfrid Laurier University

Jon LoewenArchitectural Designer Perkins+Will Canada

Exteriors and EntrancesThe experience starts outside

Beaches branch, Toronto Public Library

Maximise street presence and outdoor space

BEFORE AFTER

Scarborough Civic Centre branch, Toronto Public Library

Even signage helps! Remember to think about day and night.

St James Town branch, Toronto Public Library

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Carnegie Gallery, Dundas ON

Do a lot with a little: make additions multi-functional

Carnegie Gallery, Dundas ON

Do a lot with a little: make additions multi-functional

BEFORE AFTER

Wayfinding and CirculationThe unfolding experience

Northern District branch, Toronto Public Library

Eliminate clutter! Enhance visual access from the front door, and show us what’s important

BEFORE AFTER

Make a good first impression!

Don Mills branch, Toronto Public Library

BEFORE AFTER

Use materials and fixed elements to make wayfinding and function intuitive

BEFORE AFTER

Eatonville branch, Toronto Public Library

Queen Elizabeth Park Community Centre, Oakville

Where signage is required, use it as an opportunity to create definition and interest

Queen Elizabeth Park Community Centre, Oakville

Use exhibition and display to showcaseunique activities and programs

University of Guelph Archives and Special Collections

Making PlacesThink in zones and neighbourhoods

Think in clusters and zones


BEFORE AFTER

Odegaard Library, University of Washington(Miller | Hull)

Use furniture, millwork, and lighting together to define new spaces and uses

BEFORE AFTER

A little goes a long way! Use strategic additions as focal points

Midland County Library, Texas (Dewberry) TEVA Eatery, Missisauga

Light and ViewsMake the most of existing access

Use natural light to define routes and support wayfinding

Orillia Public Library, Orillia Hazel McCallion Academic Learning Centre, UofT Mississauga

Choose shelving and furnishings that maximise light penetration


BEFORE AFTER

Use existing windows wisely!


BEFORE AFTER

Colour, Texture, and MaterialityIf walls could talk…

Use colour and texture volumetricallyto transform existing space

Office renovation, Mississauga

Odegaard Library, University of Washington(Miller | Hull)

Use colour and texture selectively, to define zones and uses

King’s College Student Life Centre, Western University

Buchanan Building renovation, University of British Columbia

Use colour and texture intentionally, to support wayfinding and orientation

Staff and Service SpacesRethinking the service experience

Promote self-service to reclaim valuable space; keep work spaces out of public areas


BEFORE AFTER

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Use millwork and furniture to enhance service and interaction

Don Mills branch, Toronto Public Library

BEFORE AFTER

Consider implementing a more dynamic service model to create new opportunities

Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester

BEFORE AFTERBEFORE AFTER (PROPOSED)

Furnishings and MillworkSimple ways to redefine your space

Introduce new elements strategically

City Hall branch, Toronto Public Library Spadina Road branch, Toronto Public Library

Use millwork and lighting to modulate size and scale

Cornell Community Centre and Library, Markham iZone, Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester

PROPOSED

Cornell Community Centre and Library,City of Markham

Use mobile millwork to make spaces multi-functional

Brooklin Community Centre and Library, WhitbyOrillia Public Library, Orillia

Use furnishings to define zones and shape usage

iZone, Rush Rhees Library, University of Rochester

BEFORE AFTER (PROPOSED)

Working with what’s therePlaying the hand you’re dealt

Re-use existing fixtures and equipment


BEFORE AFTER

Take advantage of existing partitions and fixed elements


BEFORE AFTER

Create a feature out of existing collections and programs

Leacock Room, Orillia Public LibraryNorthern District branch, Toronto Public Library

Case Study: Wilfrid Laurier University

The 1965 Waterloo Campus Laurier Library was built at a time when there was 1,937 full time students and the last addition built in 1984 was constructed when there were 4,532 full time students. In 2013 the full time student population on the Waterloo campus was 14,165 students. The student population today is nearly four times that of the last significant addition.

(excerpt Library Master Space plan prepared by Cannon Design, 2014)

A new Library strategic plan with priorities for 2020



Transformation over time: Phasing Plans

Proposed Addition and Vision Plans



Create flexible staff roles that facilitate innovation and change to foster workflow efficiencies to meet evolving user needs

The Starting Point: from traditional to dynamic service models

BEFORE

AFTER

Student study spaces will be designed to:• Meet students’ diverse learning styles• have social and independent learning zones

• Create individual and group study spaces• Provide extended hour study space


Increase capacity and enhance student study and learning spaces

Student study spaces will be designed to:• Meet students’ diverse learning styles• have social and independent learning zones

• Create individual and group study spaces• Provide extended hour study space

Increase capacity and enhance student study and learning spaces


Provide inspirational spaces to foster great work and celebrate scholarship

• Create a dynamic, engaging space that showcases campus teaching, learning and research, and how it relates to the world – fostering interdisciplinary and community engagement.

• Continue to expand the electronic collection thus reducing the main collection’s physical footprint to free up space for student learning and studying.



Provide inspirational spaces to foster great work and celebrate scholarship

• Foster interdisciplinary and community engagement. The main level (Level 2) Learning Commons will be the anchor of learning and collaboration


Optimize use of outdoor spaces


Creating an inviting and welcoming entrance


Creating an accessible and inclusive entrance

• Gained participation from various stakeholders to collaborate on the vision for the Library of the future

• Successful implementation of small projects due to engagement of consultants with internal stakeholders and university partners

• Time spent planning was repaid in buy-in for phasing

• We are all professionals in our fields, and together we create valuable and innovative concepts

• Administrators set clear expectations from the beginning which guided all discussions in the planning process

• Positive student feedback


Working with internal groups:


Working with External Consultants:

• Translated visions and goals into a workable actionable document and clearly defined the path and milestones to get to the end goal.

• Expertise from field regarding metrics and evaluation processes

• Potential drawback is that it is perceived as not always as collaborative as internal process

Four Key Ingredients(they’re not just for big projects!)

Vision- Robust, clear and memorable- Aligned with your context,

planning and strategic direction


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Intention- Define your aspirations- Demand the best


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Inspiration- Work with talented teams- Think opportunistically1

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Inspiration- Work with talented teams- Think opportunistically

Commitment- Stay the course- Plan to prototype and assess

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Plan for your vision Will this project advance your larger goals?

If you have a few projects in mind, what order makes the most sense?

Lessons Learned: Envisioning your Small Project

Identify key needsWhat’s missing?

What projects will have the biggest impact on patrons? On staff? On services?

Think creatively about how you define these needs.

Rethink the programAre there ways to double- or triple-function existing spaces?

Find flexibility and real estate within existing buildings.

Put everything on the table!

Lessons Learned: Planning your Small Project

Keep it simple Use new elements sparingly, and draw attention to them

Be strategicUse a single intervention to define multiple spaces, uses, or activities

Beg, borrow and steal!Good ideas come from many places.

Don’t be afraid to look to unconventional sources for inspiration, and to put good ideas to work.

Lessons Learned: Designing your Small Project

Think in verbs, not nounsWhen designing, focus on the activities and experiences a project will support rather than what it’s made of.

Focus on zones, not elements.Refreshing a zone using a few elements together (eg. furnishings+lights+flooring), may be more effective than replacing one element through the whole building.

Some things never go out of style…Improving circulation, wayfinding, and access to light and views will always help!

Lessons Learned: Getting Bang for your Buck

Spend where you’ll see itFocus on high-impact areas and projects that patrons can see and feel.

Avoid alterations to structure and systems.

Reduce, reuse, recycleCan you reuse furniture, millwork, or equipment? Can existing materials be refreshed, rather than replaced?

Prioritise those items that mustbe new

Work with what’s thereTake advantage of existing elements

Don’t try to fight an existing spatial framework.

You don’t need to spend a lot to make a big difference!

small project, big difference

Design

odegaard library

eatonville branch

zones northern district

beaches branch

don mills branch

oakville use exhibition

western university

st james town branch