The years 2020-2021 were world-shaking, life-changing, and traumatic. The pandemic still lingers and many people remain cautious about using public spaces. The effects will continue for years to come.
Some lasting considerations for library buildings:
- Flexibility is even more important - the ability to easily reconfigure spaces and furniture make responding to an unexpected situation, emergency, or disaster much easier
- Modular service desks can be reconfigured or moved to other areas of the building to act as an access point or a barrier
- Mobile shelving can be reconfigured to facilitate distancing if required
- Two-person study tables are easier to reconfigure than traditional larger ones
- Increased storage should be planned for furniture when distance is needed and/or lingering discouraged
- Clear sightlines are critical to facilitate services while enabling distance between individuals and groups
- Intuitive wayfinding through colors, symbols, and signage reduces the need for close contact between patrons & staff
- Self-service can reduce close contact between staff and patrons
- Self-checkout
- Mobile device lending kiosks
- After-hours pickup lockers
- Furniture choices should be easy to clean
- Indoor air quality should be monitored and maintained at a healthy level
- Have your HVAC system assessed by a professional engineer
- Properly install filters with no gaps, and change filters regularly, as recommended by the manufacturer
- Install true MERV-13 or higher filters, if the HVAC system can handle that amount of filtering
- If the fans and ducts cannot handle MERV-13, or there is no mechanical ventilation, use standalone or fixed HEPA filtration units
- Mechanical (controlled) ventilation is more effective than natural (operable windows) ventilation
- Available outdoor space can be used for library services and programming when weather permits
- Consider planning or adding roofed outdoor space adjacent to the entrance
- Extend robust wi-fi and provide seating for use of library-owned or person mobile devices outside the building
- Add walk-up or drive-up windows and/or drive-through book drops
- Provide outdoor lockers with codes for contactless pick-up service
- Open vestibules to the outside with folding storefront doors or other techniques, creating an indoor/outdoor connection
