3.2 Planning the layout
Before starting to arrange any furniture or equipment, it is
best to draw a plan of the space available. The plan can be
used to work out the most effective layout.
It is important to notice where the electric sockets are, so
that computers, photocopiers and other electrical equipment
can be placed near them. It is also important to find out which
walls or pillars are strong enough to hold shelves.
Plenty of space needs to be allowed for shelves. The layout
should ensure that:
- maximum use is made of the space available for shelving
- shelves are easily accessible to users
- shelves are away from direct sunlight as much as possible.
Activities that will take place in the resource centre need
to be considered. For example, if the space will be used for meetings
and training, the shelving will need to be arranged in a way that
allows enough space for these activities. Space also needs to
be allowed for wheelchairs to move about easily.
It is worth thinking about how to make the resource centre
look attractive. Plans should include some colourful floor rugs,
pot plants, and posters.
3.2.1 How to measure space for shelves
To work out how much shelf space you need, first find out how
many books will go on a shelf. To do this, measure the width
of a shelf. Then use some books to see how many will fit (not
too tightly) on one shelf. Do this four times, using different
books each time. Take the average of all four totals. For example,
45 + 57 + 49 +54 = 205 ÷ 4 = about 51.
Estimate the likely size of the collection over a particular
period (such as five or ten years). To do this, take the present
size of the collection, estimate the number of materials to
be added each year (see Section 4.1.1: Developing a collection
policy) and add the figures together. Remember to subtract the
number of books that might be discarded. Divide the estimated
size of the collection by the number of books per shelf to find
out how many shelves you will require.
If shelf space is limited, remember this when
you develop and review the collection policy. You will need to
specify carefully what subjects and materials are to be added
to the collection, and ensure that older or superseded materials
(materials that are out of date) are weeded out regularly. You
may have to limit the length of time that a particular type of
material, such as periodicals, can be kept.
A possible layout for a medium size resource centre
3.2.2 Space for different uses
As well as space for shelves, the resource centre will need space
for users, staff, training and meetings, storage, and displays.
People who use the resource centre need space
to sit and read the materials. Space needs to be allowed for
tables and chairs. Small tables allow more flexibility than
large tables. They can be arranged separately or put together
to make a larger table when required. Folding tables and chairs
are convenient.
Access to a photocopier is useful. If the resource centre is
very small, the photocopier could be put outside the resource
centre itself, to keep the noise down. The photocopier may also
need to be outside the resource centre if it is shared with
other departments. However, the photocopier needs to be very
close to the resource centre, so that users do not have to go
far with materials that they wish to photocopy.
Resource centre staff need their own working
space, either in the resource centre or in an adjoining room.
Staff need desks, chairs, filing cabinets and shelves.
If the resource centre is in a room that is also used for training,
staff need space in an adjoining room, so that they can continue
to work when the resource centre is being used for training.
If staff have a separate room, it is a good idea to situate
the workspace for one or more staff near the main door of the
resource centre, so that staff can see resource centre users
and assist them if necessary.
Training and meetings are activities that
can benefit from taking place in a resource centre, as materials
that may be needed are already there. However, if the resource
centre is a very busy place - for example, if it is in a training
institution - meetings will distract people who are using the
resource centre to study. In such cases, it is better to have
a separate adjoining room for activities such as meetings, training
sessions and showing videos. It is useful to include a noticeboard
and table or display rack in this room, for displaying information
from the resource centre that relates to the meeting or training
session.
Storage space is needed for:
- newly received materials that are waiting to be processed
- older materials that are being repaired or withdrawn
- back issues of periodicals, if there is no space in the
main room
- stationery and small equipment
- expensive equipment (which needs a locked cupboard).
Display space is needed for new materials, notices and so
on. A table could be used to put new materials on, slanting display
shelves could be used for periodicals, and a noticeboard could
be used for announcements (
see Section
3.3.2: Display equipment).
next: 3.3 Choosing furniture
and equipment
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