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SEATTLE CENTRAL LIBRARY
Public Work Group- Fiction/Recreational Users
Meeting #1, January 6, 2000

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  KEY ISSUES FOR THE DESIGN TEAM:

1. Consider the distance traveled to get to where you are going.
2. Central point for Reference probably OK.
   • Don’t bring back big desk, imposing structure, stern person.
   • Don’t make it the full intimidation factor.
3. Library now very intimate, try to preserve this.
   • Librarians sit on same level as where people approach.
   • How do you arrange reference collections within “one Dewey run”?
   • Does mixing chamber encourage long lines and/or intimidate patrons?

1. Library design- for the architects or for the public?
2. Where are the books? How long before you see books?
3. OK to give input in all areas of library, not just reader’s forum.
4. All fiction on one floor.
5. Better signage for “the basics” (elevators say “300’s”, etc.) so you don’t need to ask for stuff.
6. Need it to make sense without help.
   • As basic as: Where do you go to find out where the books are?
7. Make intuitive. Might not matter if main collection was in one location.
8. Have volunteers give tours.
9. Research- How do you do it? Help people understand how to do it.
10. One Dewey run combined with Special Collections. Room for Special Collection, but located within overall Dewey run.
11. Archive less popular titles.
12. More flexible/reliable computer catalog.
    • Non-english speakers.
    • Words spelled incorrectly still locate resource.
13. More training – in schools, in library, through website – on how to use the library.
14. Currently escalators end on Floor 3. Do you know elevators block vision of ½ floor. There’s more floors.
15. More, better water closets.
16. No Muzak in the library (unless in specific, controlled areas).
17. Lighting - Indirect quartz probably OK. No mercury vapor, sodium vapor indoors or yellowish ones either.
18. Air circulation/fresh air/good ventilation (Example: Sit by window for view but cold air comes in too.).
19. Magazines at the mercy of users.
    • If previous user mis-files, you cannot find it.
    • How about having librarians re-file magazines?
20. Discarded books available from Friends- store in library (vs. shipping to Annual Sale).
21. Card catalog-
    • Once title is selected, see a screen that shows the book on the shelf and list surrounding books (10 on either side of selection).
    • Once title/subject is selected, immediately show call number and also show related call numbers.
22. Not so technologically advanced that interaction with librarian becomes obsolete.
23. Don’t really know how books are used by “hits” on card catalog or how frequently checked out. Can’t use this statistic solely to determine value of specific books in the collection.
24. Catalog or keep track of existing art. Tsutakawa Fountain at Central, must remain.

Content modified: 24 March 2000

12/31/2004

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