This checklist is designed to outline the basic steps to consider in planning a new library building

I. PRELIMINARY STEPS
____ Evaluate the need for a new library building
____ Consider alternatives

____ building an addition
____ major renovation of existing building
____ purchasing a building to be used as a library
____ renting a larger building
____ sharing space within a building with other entities

____ Appoint a building committee

____ determine role of building committee
____ consider membership (board, staff, public, local government official, friends, donors, fundraiser)

____ Investigate financial options
____ Visit other libraries to determine likes and possible needs
____ Develop plan for community input
____ Develop social media plan

II. DECISION TO BUILD

____ Retain legal counsel
____ Hire a building program consultant to develop building program
____ Undertake a survey of the community including focus groups
____ Establish timeline for the project

III. ANALYSIS OF THE COMMUNITY

____ Gather information on general characteristics of the population

____ Projected population growth in ten years
____ Review demographics
____ Relationship with academic and school communities
____ Relationship to business, cultural, recreational communities
____ Economic profile of community
____ Existing problems of the community
____ Future needs of the community
____ General trends
____ Relationship of community to general regions

IV. DEVELOP BUILDING PROGRAM DOCUMENT

____ Explanation of the need for a new library building
____ Library objectives
____ Existing and projected services
____ Future needs of the library
____ Standards required (ADA)
____ Standards to consider (LEED and/or WELL)
____ Consider need for flexible space
____ Configuration of spaces within the building such as public and staff use, utilizing flow charts or bubble diagrams to show location of contiguous spaces within the building
____ Name of each space
____ Description of service function and activities within each space
____ Number of occupants to be accommodated in each space (customers and staff)
____ Resources to be accommodated (books, comfortable seating, tables and chairs, computers, printers, 3D printers, white boards; other)
____ Square footage requirements for each space
____ Current inadequacies and needs of each space
____ Describe special features such as business centers, cafes, Friends stores, galleries, local history rooms, maker spaces, teen centers, theatres, etc. and show on flow chart or bubble diagram

____ Conference and meetings rooms
____ Tutoring spaces
____ Quiet and group study spaces

____ Lists of movable furniture, equipment and built in furniture and equipment

____ Storage needs
____ Custodial space
____ Kitchens
____ Restrooms, sinks, etc

____Community architectural preferences
____Technology services and issues
____Environmental considerations and requirements if needed

V. Hiring of the Architect

____Understand the architect’s design philosophy
____Visit the architect’s completed projects
____Review NJSL handout on Choosing an Architect for Your
Construction Project
____Verify that the architect is licensed in New Jersey
____Check references
____Design process of input to the architect
____Discuss responsibilities and supervision/reporting requirements
____Negotiate fees
____Sign contract

VI. DEVELOP PLAN FOR FINANCING PROJECT

____Estimate project cost

____Site survey
____Bond sale
____Fees for architect, consultants, engineers, legal services, permits, etc.
____Contingency fees
____Construction costs
____Mechanical and electrical costs
____Demolition if necessary
____Environmental costs and fees
____Furniture and equipment
____Landscaping
____Test borings

____Sources of Funding

____Operating budget
____Sale of bonds
____Gifts (Friends of the Library, Major Donors)
____Fundraising campaign, annual drive, etc.
____Other

VII. ACQUISITION OF SITE

____Accessibility of site
____Centralized location
____Clear title
____Fair price
____Environmental concerns or issues
____Parking
____Relationship to existing municipality or county plan
____Site survey
____Soil conditions
____Traffic patterns
____Visual prominence
____Zoning

VIII. SCHEMATIC DESIGN

____Elevation
____Floor plan
____Comparison to building program
____Presentation to governing bodies
____Approval of governing bodies

IX. PRELIMINARY DRAWINGS

____More advanced drawings, elevations, etc.
____Outline specification for materials
____Comparison to building program
____Staff and public involvement
____Cost estimates
____Presentation to the governing bodies
____Approval by governing bodies

X. WORKING DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS

____Detailed drawings and specifications
____Preparation of construction documents

XI. FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT LIST

____Complete list of items
____Specifications

2/2018