605-394-4171
Ÿ www.rapidcitylibrary.org
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Date: August 1, 2005 |
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To: |
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From: G. Chapman, Director |
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Re: Space use and library design consultants |
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Recommendation: Send out a scope of work proposal to Library Interior Design Consultants for interviews and proposals. Recommended proposals would go to the Board Finance Committee for review and recommendation to the Board. |
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Summary: Cost estimates for this project range from $20,000 - $40,000. Cost estimates for the design of a library layout vary significantly between the firms. The range for the initial design phase is from $6,000-$10,500; for the final design, including layouts, furniture recommendations, etc., the costs are estimated to be between $20,000-$48,000. Because these funds are not available through the regular budget or through auxiliary funds, a combination of funding sources (Foundation, Friends, auxiliary, or end-of-year) is recommended. |
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Background: The library’s Strategic Plan identifies four goals that relate to the library facility: |
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Library staff could rearrange the library layout and select new library furniture. However, the library staff does not have the expertise to optimize the library’s use of space, for the present and with a projection for future use. In order to accomplish a thorough space use review, contracting with a library space use consultant and designer is recommended. |
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A building consultant list from the Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA) and information from American Libraries (April 2005, the library building issue) were used to select consultants for initial contacts. After reviewing the websites of approximately 30 consulting firms, six firms were contacted by telephone. Listed below are examples of feedback from three firms that represent the range of information. |
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Aaron Cohen Associates, LTD – |
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Mr. Cohen’s firm was the only one that included a review of staffing allocations as a part of their project. He has an architect and librarian on staff, so would not need to sub-contract with an architectural firm. |
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Their project recommendation would include: |
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· Suggested phases for implementation – up to a 5-year plan, for example |
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· Costs |
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· Floor plans |
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· Furniture and shelving recommendations (not specs or colors) |
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The cost for this assessment project would be approximately $30,000. The timeframe from start to finish (not including implementation) would be from 3-6 months. |
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George Lawson Consulting – |
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Mr. Lawson is a librarian, and has specialized in consulting for a number of years. |
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The steps in his review process would be: |
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· Evaluation and assessment |
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· A plan for the program |
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· Architectural input with design (this would be sub-contracted to an architect, but Mr. Lawson does participate in the design process). |
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The programming study itself would be approximately $10,500, plus travel and expenses. For the design phase, the cost would be approximately $9,200 – this would include both the schematic design and the design development. Mr. Lawson’s total costs would be approximately $19,700; this does not include the costs of the architect who would be sub contracted. |
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Under the direction of Richard de Bear, this firm would do a needs assessment of the total building. They incorporate library trends and technology developments (for example, RFID, automated check-in, no reference or circulation desks, etc.) |
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An estimated cost, from needs assessment to the furniture layout (including specifications documents) would be $0.75-$1.00 per square foot, or between $36,000-$48,000. His initial trip to review the building and get started on the project would be approximately $5,000-$6,000. |
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