Building Program for the Haddonfield Public Library

Executive Summary
Prepared by the Facilities Development Committee

In its long range planning process, the Haddonfield Public Library identified the inadequacies of its facility as a major obstacle to effective library service. Accordingly, the Library Board of Trustees established a Facilities Development Study Committee to prepare a preliminary building program designed to strengthen library services to the community over the next decade. For years, the competence and dedication of the Library staff have compensated for the deficiencies of the Library facilities.

Although the present Library facilities are valued by Library patrons, it is the Facilities Committee's finding that the present Library facility is inadequate to sustain the high level of patron service and satisfaction, and that a substantially larger facility is warranted to house the Library's intensive use.

The committee was charged with developing a building program based on Haddonfield's need for library services -- not to look at specific sites or even specifically the current building and site. Working with tow experienced librarian-planning consultants, examining historical usage, current usage and projected trends, the committee made the following conclusions.

The HPL has four principal roles. A new facility must enhance each and all of these roles.
* Popular materials Collection
* Independent Learning Center
* Information Center
* Local History Center
The current facilities and space create obstacles for use at present. These include:
* Physical inaccessibility
* Flooding
* Lack of quiet workspace
* Parking
* Insufficient collections storage, especially for audiovisuals
Many factors will only exacerbate current conditions in the future, including:
* Trends in technology
* Expanding collections
* Increased functions, especially the development of the local history center
An ideal architectural program will substantially increase space for:
* Readers services (both adults and children)
* Reference and study areas
* Local history research
* Circulation services
* Staff functions
The building program outlined a number of basic assumptions that the HPL must:
* Continue to provide services to a large and diverse clientele
* Provide resource-rich collections
* Retain a warm, welcoming atmosphere
* Have facilities planned and designed for flexibility and to enhance, not constrict, services

ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAM SUMMARY

Based on the committee's findings, INITIAL SPACE ESTIMATES for an optimal Library facility were projected at approximately 30,000 square feet. The expert library-planning consultants, using nationally recognized professional standards, developed these estimates:

1. Reception/Circulation Services Meeting Room    3,300 square feet
2. Adult Collections/Popular Materials                        6,600 square feet
3. Young People's Services                                         5,000 square feet
4. Reference and Periodical Services
    including Group & Quiet Study Rooms                   4,300 square feet
5. Local History Research Services                           3, 150 square feet
6. Administrative, Support Services including
    Technical and Automation Services                       4,625 square feet

NET SQUARE FEET 26,975 square feet

7. additional architectural requirements, est.
at about 15% of NET for wall thickness, etc. 4,025 square feet

GROSS SQUARE FEET 31,000 square feet

A detailed, area by area program has been developed. The architectural program identifies space and functional requirements for each area of the Library.

The Building Program was complete and accepted by the Library Board of Trustees in 1995.

Prepared by Douglas Rauschenberger, Director, Haddonfield Public Library
For the Public Input Meeting on Expansion of the Haddonfield Public Library, June 27, 2001

Building Program for the Haddonfield Public Library

Executive Summary Prepared by the Facilities Development Committee

Executive Summary
Prepared by the Facilities Development Committee