Space Utilization and Planning Committee Progress Report--March 2006

The Committee began its work by addressing remaining space in the Annex. Peg Earheart reported that if the libraries continue to send materials at their present rate without major surges and if we can continue to procure compact shelving, the Annex can accommodate materials for another four to five years, meaning that we effectively have four to five years in which to plan and build an Annex expansion. Library directors indicated that they do not anticipate surges in demand for Annex space in the near term (though since this meeting the Management Library has learned that an Owen renovation project will necessitate the transfer of a portion of the library’s collection). The Library is currently working with architects to design an addition to the Annex.

In March the Committee will review the aggregated results of a Facilities and Services survey completed at the end of 2005. The results should give us, for the first time, solid data on the uses of space in the libraries, including shelving capacity, study locations and furnishings, specialized services, and service points across the system.