toolkit
Keynotes:
Guidelines and standards
The Guidelines are grouped by type of library, and by specific subject matter. Within each grouping the guidelines are further divided into the countries they are specific to, or under an 'international' heading if they can be applied across countries.
Academic Libraries | Archive & Storage | Public Libraries | School Libraries | Children and young people | Accessiblity: Deaf and hearing impaired people | Accessiblity: Disabled people | Accessiblity: Visually impaired people | Preservation (& storage and conservation)
This publication provides information and guidelines for the building planning process, whether you are planning a new public or academic library building. It reflects on fundamental issues, on new development trends and on the planning process. The library building process is seen from both the library manager's perspective as well as that of the architect and designer. Issues covered include what to consider when investigating the need for space, library design from a marketing viewpoint, green management and sustainability relating to library buildings and a layman's guide to reading plans.
Academic libraries (universities and colleges)
- English FE LRS Quality Toolkit
Colleges of Further and Higher Education Group of CILIP (UK),
Covers 'the learning environment'. Can be downloaded here: English FE LRS Quality Toolkit. [pdf] - Space requirements for academic libraries and learning resource centres
McDonald, Andrew, London: SCONUL, 1996. (UK) [briefing paper]
Can be ordered online. - Standards for libraries in higher education, 2004
Association of College and Research Libraries (US)
There is a checklist of 10 questions under 'facilities'. Other ACRL standards cover branch libraries, library access, security and theft. [link]
Archive & Storage
United Kingdom
- British Standard 5454: 2000 Recommendations for the storage and exhibition of archival documents.
This standard is for use by archivists, librarians, conservators, museum curators, architects, designers, contactors, engineers and others concerned with planning, construction, equipment, maintenance and working of such repositories. [link]
Public libraries
International
- IFLA/UNESCO
The public library service: IFLA/UNESCO guidelines for development, Munich: Saur, 2001.
Includes a section on library buildings and examples of library building standards from Ontario, Canada and Barcelona, Spain.
Australia
- ALIA Public Libraries Reference Group (Australia)
Standards, guidelines and benchmarks for public library services in Australia and overseas: a guide to resources.
Covers general and specific Australian and international documents. Subject specific publications include preservation, buildings, and older adults. [link] - State Library of Queensland (Australia)
Guidelines and standards for Queensland public libraries, 2006.
Includes 'library building standards'.
New Zealand
- Library & Information Association of New Zealand
Standards for New Zealand public libraries, 6th edition, 2004.
Includes 'buildings'.
United Kingdom
- Convention of Scottish Local Authorities - COSLA (UK)
Standards for the public library service in Scotland, 1995.
Includes 'premises - construction, location and use'. - Department for Culture Media and Sport (UK)
Public library service standards, 2001, revised 2004, 2006. [pdf] - House of Commons Committee on Culture, Media and Sport(UK)
3rd Report Session 2004-5, Public Libraries (HC81).[Report]
Report available: online / pdf
Volume II - Oral and Written Evidence online / pdf - State library standards (US)
American states usually have public library standards that include sections on facilities. For example:- Colorado public library standards, 2005.
Includes 'facilities' and gives, for example, sq.ft per capita based on level of building provision - essential, enhanced or comprehensive. [link] - Montana public library standards, 1999.
Section 5: Facilities and public relations - offers a four-point general checklist. [link] - Wisconsin public library standards, 3rd edition, 2005.
Chapter 7: Access and facilities - uses a lengthy checklist approach. [link]
- Colorado public library standards, 2005.
- IFLA/UNESCO school library guidelines, 2002.
Sætre, T.P. and Willans, G.
Covers 'location and space' and 'furniture and equipment'. Available in: Czech; English; French; Italian; Malay (Bahasa Melayu); Spanish; Swedish [link] - CILIP guidelines for secondary school libraries (UK)
Barrett, L and Douglas, J. (eds), 2nd edition, London: Facet, 2004.
Includes 'facilities management' -
School Library Association (UK)
Includes Designing and planning a primary school library, 1994. [link] - Primary School Library Guidelines, updated 2010. (UK)
The Guidelines are intended to be a practical support to everyone concerned with establishing, maintaining and developing dynamic primary school libraries across the UK. [pdf] - Standards for school library resource services in Scotland: a framework for developing services, 1999.
COSLA (UK) - Resources for school librarians (US)
Includes school library standards for programs and facilities from California, Missouri, Utah and elsewhere. [link] - NEW ACRL/LAMA Guide for Architects. (US)
Guide For Planning Higher Education Library Spaces. [link] - Guidelines for children's libraries
IFLA, Libraries for Children and Young Adults Section
Includes a note on the children's library area under 'space'. [link] - Guidelines for library services for young adults, 2001
IFLA, Libraries for Children and Young Adults Section
Includes a note on 'space' recommending a space separate from the children's area. [link] - Children and young people: Library Association guidelines for public library services, 1997.
Blanchard, C. (ed.)
Provides guidance on appropriate accommodation. [link] - Library and information services for deaf and hearing impaired people, 2004.
CILIP (UK)
Includes notes on the physical environment and assistive technology. [link] - Library and information services for disabled people, 2005.
CILIP (UK)
Includes a note on' access to buildings'. [link] - Libraries for the blind in the information age - guidelines for development, 2005.
IFLA Libraries for the Blind Section
Includes storage and preservation, mobile libraries, and access to services and collections. [link] - Guidelines for library service to Braille users, 1998.
IFLA Libraries for the Blind Section
Principles of library service to Braille users and guidance for developing Braille collections. [link] - Library and information services for visually impaired people, 2005.
CILIP (UK)
Provides information on signage, auxiliary aids and alternative formats. [link] - Basic preservation guidelines for library and archive collections, 2003.
Topics comprise theft, vandalism, pollution, light, etc. Available as a pdf - First do no harm, IFLA Preservation and Conservation Section, 2005.(Int.)
McIlwaine, J.,
A register of standards, codes of practice, guidelines, recommendations and similar works relating to preservation and conservation in libraries and archives. Available as a pdf - Managing the preservation of library and archive collections in historic buildings, 2002
Sections include environmental problems and solutions, constraints on change, assessing the building, and the protection of historic buildings. Printed edition available [link] - National Preservation Office (UK)
Provides an independent focus for the preservation of and continuing accessibility to cultural heritage materials held in libraries, archives and museums in the United Kingdom and Ireland. [link] - The application and use of standards in the care and management of libraries and archives, c.1999.
Includes standards for 'library and archive buildings' in relation to storage and conservation. Available as a pdf
United States
School libraries
International
United Kingdom
United States
Children and young people
International
United Kingdom
Accessibility
Deaf and hearing impaired people
United Kingdom
Disabled people
United Kingdom
Visually impaired people
International
United Kingdom
Preservation
International
United Kingdom
Preservation: storage and conservation
United Kingdom