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© 1999 Seattle Public Library
Universal Branch Building Program: Return to UBBP Table of Contents
4.2 Adjacencies 4.3 Design Issues 4.4 Components and Furnishings publish date: 14 March 2000
4.0 Reference Area4.1 Function
This is a key area of the library where librarians assist patrons of all ages in finding information in the materials collection and through electronic access. This area includes the reference/information desk, reference materials, a cluster of personal computers for the public including assistive devices for the visually and physically impaired, and a photocopy alcove. Ideally the staff at this desk will have line of sight into all the public areas of the library.
Primary:
Entrance
Secondary:
Circulation Desk
Children's Area (needs to have primary adjacency and visual supervision from
either the Circulation or the Reference/Information desk)
Reference Materials
Public Computers
Young Adult Collection
General Adult Collection
Photocopy Alcove (needs to have primary adjacency and visual supervision from
either the Circulation or the Reference/Information desk)
Public Restrooms (needs to have primary adjacency and visual supervision from
either the Circulation or the Reference/Information desk)
This service desk should be immediately visible to patrons entering the library. Line of sight to all public areas of the library is important. It is especially important that staff at this desk can have eye contact with the circulation desk staff.
In the 5,000 and 7,000 square foot branches the combination of the reference/information and circulation desks should be seriously considered in order to best utilize staff and space.
Approach to the reference desk should be unobstructed with plenty of space around the front and sides allowing for free movement of patrons needing assistance and those moving through the area.
The desk should be at counter level with a lower area for children and adults requiring a seat. The goal is to have patrons and staff at the same physical level. Suitable chairs for staff should be provided for both the counter and lower level areas. The public side may be slightly higher than the staff side with a lip along the top to rest materials or take notes.
The protection of patron confidentiality needs to be considered in the design of the reference/information desk.
The desk design and seating needs to meet ergonomic standards, have a clean appearance, and provide drawers and other out of view storage areas.
It is important that the desk not serve as a barrier to service. The desk depth should be the minimum needed to provide working space and staff safety, and staff should be able to exit from either side.
The desk should have two workstations except where combined with the circulation desk. Each workstation should have a thin-screened computer monitor with swiveling ability so patrons can view the screen, and full access to all electronic resources. Bar code scanners should be included. A printer may be shared. The backs of the computers should be screened similar to those on the circulation desk.
Each station should also have a telephone and the desk should have a direct call button to the police department and the circulation workroom.
A scanner fax that can transmit pages from bound volumes is desirable for sending information between branches.
One or two low sections of shelving should be placed behind the service desk for ready reference materials.
Housing at least a portion of the general reference collection on low double-faced shelving with canopy tops to provide an area to consult reference books and atlases and to improve visibility is recommended.
There should be a section designed for local government reports and information.
A cluster of computers for public access to the catalog, databases and the Internet should be placed near the reference desk. The computers should be housed on systems furniture that provides some privacy, but does not have sides so high that staff are unaware of persons needing assistance or are blocked from visual supervision of the library. The systems furniture should allow adequate space for the user's books and papers as well as the computer equipment. One-third of the computers should be for standing use; the others will have seats.
It is recommended that uniform reference desk components be designed, purchased or built, tested by staff, and adopted for all branches where it is practicable. Individualization can come from finishes, layout, and component units selected. The public should be able to distinguish between the circulation and reference desks/functions through design.
Other computers will be distributed throughout the building, the exact number to be specified in the individual programs.
Thin-screened monitors should be used throughout the branch to take up less space and provide a more open, less cluttered environment.
A photocopier alcove large enough to accommodate several people should be visible from the circulation or reference desk. It needs to be separately vented and acoustically treated. It will contain a copier, a debit card machine for operating the copier and the printers, storage for copier supplies, counter space for sorting materials and housing reproducible tax form notebooks, and slotwall for notices and acrylic bins for tax forms. Data and power lines for a computer and printer should be provided to allow for a self-service computer to print out IRS forms.
Reference/information desk with service counter at dual heights
One or two workstations depending upon branch size, each with a computer monitor and telephone, shared printer, under counter file cabinets
Space behind the reference desk for book trucks
Reference shelving at 45" with canopy tops
Government information shelving and display area
Pamphlet files, 5 drawer legal, number varies by branch size
Atlas stand/shelving
Dictionary stand to go on top of low shelving unit
Waste and recycling bins at desk and in public areas
Computers on systems furniture and standing height surfaces
Networked printer
The photocopy alcove
The following controls:
call button to summon additional staff from the workroom
emergency call button to the police department