College and Research Libraries By M A R T I N V A N B U R E N Interior Planning of College and University Libraries* ON E O F T H E B A S I C A I M S of our society today is individual freedom: free- d o m of thought, freedom of expression, freedom to seek information and ex- change ideas as we see fit. Nowhere is this aim more prevalent nor more im- portant than in our colleges and univer- sities, where a young adult is granted greater freedom to formulate his cultur- al instincts than at any previous period of his life. His academic surroundings aim to stimulate, but never compel, his educational endeavors. It is apparent that college students in America require enticement rather than compulsion to direct their instincts toward better edu- cation. Whether this system is or is not the best is beside the point. It becomes ob- vious that, under such a system, the col- lege or university library is, or should be, the key to its success. It should be the h u b of any university system. It should be the foundation upon which are developed future habits of self-edu- cation. It should attract the student, serve him in the most efficient manner possible, offer a retreat for cultural ac- tivities as well as for required research and reading, and build his confidence in the security of knowledge and his in- stinct for culture. T o him, the university library should be far more than a re- pository for books; it should serve as a basis for his strivings toward enlighten- ment. * Paper presented at ACRL Library Buildings Committee Institute, Philadelphia, Pa., July 3, 1955. Mr. Van Buren is an interiors con- sultant, Atlanta, Ga. More specifically then, what should be the composite functions of the college and university library? What factors should be considered in a library pro- gram, particularly as pertains to the planning of the building? H o w impor- tant is its interior planning, the relation- ship of its areas, scope of its activities, versatility of spaces and colors, propor- tion of study and lounge areas? In addi- tion to basic library function, what fac- tors enter into the interior planning of a college or university library? Faced with a building program, the librarian should first clarify the desired functions: what various purposes the building is intended to accomplish. Rela- tive to this, he should become conscious of his "competition." Since the success of any library can be measured only in terms of traffic and circulation, such "competition" must be recognized. T h e most obvious, for example, is the in- creasingly popular student union build- ing. Here is a building designed to at- tract students, a social center delegated to the exchange of ideas, a meeting place often housing the offices of the various extracurricular activities: the publica- tions, student council, honorary frater- nities, etc. T h e student union with its pleasant surroundings and attractive snack lounges and meeting rooms can conceivably impair the more serious am- bitions of the library. Is it not possible, with such a variance of extraneous diversions, that the college or university library as such is too lim- ited in its scope? Could it not, perhaps, attempt to encompass a greater portion of student activity, include and absorb MAY, 1956 231 other recreational activities beyond those which are purely studious in nature? W i t h the increasingly relaxed atmos- phere prevalent on our college and uni- versity campuses today, it is question- able whether the function of the college or university library is sufficient as it pursues its role as a concentrate for aca- demic requirements—and nothing more. Obviously there are many other forms of educational activity in which the library should not only be informed, but offer facilities and aid as well. Although this question of expanding the present vista of the college and university library is unanswerable without considerable de- bate, the fundamental purpose of the li- brary remains, and to whatever extent its program reaches, the answer still lies in enticement rather than compul- sion and therefore in thorough interior planning, a careful correlation of func- tion with attractiveness in atmosphere, an efficient plan concealed by relaxed and pleasant surroundings. T h e initial realization that he is re- sponsible for the coordination and con- duct of a complex building program often leaves a librarian with a cold sense of inadequacy; he feels certainty in his knowledge of library operation, but his practical knowledge of architecture, creative planning, functional layout, color and selection of materials and equipment is all too hazy. He must make the decisions. He must select the profes- sional help which will aid him in the separate phases of the program. It is his responsibility to coordinate the program and evolve from it a homogenous, work- able, long-lasting library. Obviously the first hurdle is the build- ing itself. T h e librarian's initial respon- sibility as coordinator commences with the selection of, and his mutual coopera- tion with, the architect. It has been said before, and must be re-stressed, that the architect's capabilities are limited by his understanding of the nature and function of the building he is to design. Unless the librarian takes the time to detail the various functional aspects of the university and college library, its re- quired storage and traffic capacities, the various areas required and their inter- relationships by writing a program, a workable solution is dubious and effi- cient interior planning may be impossi- ble. It must be stressed that a library is a service institution, not a monument. Budgets must be discussed in detail. Such important factors as acoustics and lighting must either be clarified or the architect referred to experts in those fields—particularly those with experi- ence in the requirements peculiar to li- braries. These aspects of preliminary planning are mentioned because they so firmly establish the potential of interior plan- ning, with regard not only to functions but to attractiveness as well. It is always a difficult matter to determine whether proper planning begins with the interior operation or with the architect and his general plan. T h e most efficient ap- proach, undoubtedly, would be a simul- taneous, coordinated effort o n the part of the architect and persons responsible and experienced in the interior planning and function of libraries. T h u s a give- and-take operation would develop, with the architect and the interior planner approaching together a common goal which would evolve the best solution to the problem, from all aspects. Without question many problems of the librarian could be overcome by the simple expedient of retaining an inte- riors consultant to work cooperatively with the architect on the over-all plan. However, it is unfortunate that there are few such consultants with specialized knowledge in the requirements peculiar to library work. Interior decorating, as such, is inadequate. Although a compe- tent interior decorator may solve some of the problems, the critical issues which involve operational and functional co- ordination are apt to be superficially re- 232 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES garded because of a lack of technical background in the library field. This can be disastrous; beautiful colors and handsome furniture do not make a work- able library. Nor is it sufficient to employ or rely completely upon the services of a single manufacturer, regardless of his claims to knowledge in the making of library- standard furnishings. It is understand- able that no single manufacturer can supply the total needs of a particular library. It is also understandable that no manufacturer can be expected to ap- proach the j o b without considerable bias toward his own products, possibly even at the expense of the end result. N o manufacturer should be condemned for attempting to create a factory show- room from any j o b which he controls; it is his business to promote and display his products. Therefore, if an interiors consultant is to be considered, he should be retained first for his general knowledge of the library field, but of equal importance for his unbiased interest in the program it- self. However, in many cases it is unfeasi- ble—for financial or other reasons—to retain a consultant for interior planning of the library. T h e detailed responsibil- ity, then, falls to the librarian. There are certain basic elements of library planning which may well be kept in mind. One basic fiat of any library building is control. This is true whether it be a public library or a university or college library. Control means more than effi- cient operation of book circulation, rec- ord maintenance, filing and processing, etc.—it means visual control of the vari- ous areas. Particularly in university li- braries, it is important to maintain con- trol of all areas without direct supervi- sion—not to speak of the financial bur- den of maintaining breakdown supervi- sion where it can be avoided. In a large library a certain amount of departmen- talization will of course be required. However, even among various areas and departments it is sometimes possible to combine supervising capacities by intel- ligent interior planning. Visual control of book-stack aisles, music listening booths, meeting rooms and special re- search rooms such as the map room, is advisable. In the general plan it is often possible to keep the various areas open to one another, yet operationally sepa- rate, by careful integration of color and acoustics. It should be stressed that the problem of control should be studied and solved, in the interior planning program, with an endeavor to maintain subtlety throughout. Any obvious aspect of mili- tant supervision should be avoided, since one of the basic objectives of a college and university library is to help the stu- dent gain maturity through his own ef- forts. In the preliminary establishment of a basic plan, the spatial needs of the li- brary can be determined without par- ticular regard for budget limitations. In other words, the program itself deter- mines the needed facilities as to space and equipment; how lavishly or frugally these requirements are handled can be established later in the program. Since these basic requirements are unavoida- ble and must be met regardless of budget limitations, an actual outline listing equipment and furnishing needs would be desirable. Seating capacities of vari- ous areas, book storage requirements, (with proper anticipatory demands for the future) equipment needs, and other basic breakdown requirements should be summarized and enumerated. It is im- portant that these preliminary specifica- tions be developed without preconceived concepts of types or standards or specific manufacturers' products. T o o often a librarian will enter into a building pro- gram, with understandable enthusiasm, and become prematurely influenced by the glowing circulars and glib descrip- MAY, 1956 233 tions submitted by various manufactur- ers in the field. T h i s can obscure the basic issue and at such a preliminary but important stage misdirect the li- brarian's well intended responsibility as coordinator of the program. It can be disappointing when later budget break- downs prohibit the incorporation of the librarian's preconceived desires. Also, it is well to point out that many fine li- braries have been planned and executed with beautiful as well as workable re- sults from very limited budgets. A knowledge of the furniture and equip- ment markets, careful and intelligent use of color, and experienced handling of materials by both the architect and the interiors consultant can often turn a disheartening budget into a handsome, useful, and extremely workable library. It is a relatively simple matter to take a virtually unlimited budget and resolve from it an attractive library building; however, it takes ingenuity to master a limited budget and bring it to an equal- ly successful conclusion. A n d the gratifi- cation from the extra creative effort in- volved is proportionately greater. Once the basic equipment require- ments are established, in general terms, this list must be fitted to the over-all budget, if such has already been deter- mined. Or, if the equipment and fur- nishing budget has yet to be proposed, breakdown cost estimates must be de- termined. Again, a knowledge of the available markets is an invaluable aid, but if such professional advice is not available the librarian and others re- sponsible must rely on their judgment resulting from investigation. Salesmen should be interviewed and literature studied; where possible, past perform- ance and experience in the standards pe- culiar to library usage should be investi- gated. T h e actual allocation of dollars per item is perhaps one of the most dif- ficult stages for a person inexperienced in the technical aspects of furniture con- struction as it pertains to durability, particularly since the responsibility of the librarian does not terminate with the actual purchase and installation, but extends to the future maintenance costs and usable life span of the specified items of equipment. If the librarian is solely responsible for the selection and purchase of fur- nishings, there are certain specific in- quiries which are advisable to under- take. In furniture, construction, finish, and design are most important. Unless it is possible to actually purchase and test sample pieces of various items pro- posed, construction durability is ex- tremely difficult to determine without a thorough knowledge of standard con- struction systems. Generally, a piece of furniture is only as strong as its weakest joint; but joint failures often develop one, two, or even five years later. There- fore, the safest determining factor in the question of durability is the manufac- turer's reputation. A list of installations submitted by the manufacturer should be checked, both as to duration of usage and amount of abuse to which it has been submitted. As to finish, there are several finishes available which are standard, f r o m hot and cold lacquer systems to baked varnishes and pene- trating oil finishes. These can and should be tested comparatively, unless the li- brarian has access to unquestionably re- liable data f r o m other installations. T h e third factor, design of furniture, is too often taken for granted. A library should stand for more than mere access to culture; it should, by virtue of its surroundings, present a symbol of its aesthetic leadership in the university or college and the community. Its building, furnishings, colors and atmosphere should stand as a living and current representation of our own cultural status and the vital present-day energies that have created and are creating it. There- fore the congruity of its furnishings with the building itself, f r o m a design stand- point, is most important. G o o d design 234 COLLEGE AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES both f r o m an architectural and inte- rior planning standpoint need not be divorced f r o m functional efficiency. In fact, the true test of a well coordinated and intelligently designed library (or any building) can best be measured by the success of this interrelationship. T o say what is g o o d or bad design, or g o o d or bad taste, is of course an arbi- trary question that w o u l d lead only to endless debate. However, in determining the design standards f o r interior fur- nishings, there should certainly be per- sonnel available f r o m various art and architectural departments w h o w o u l d be most eager to offer advice and criticism, should the librarian feel d o u b t f u l as to rendering a final o p i n i o n o n design quality. Little need be said about the selec- tion of technical equipment. It is as- sumed that the librarian, f r o m experi- ence and correspondence with other li- brary directors, can determine the most adequate operative equipment available within the budget. T h e coordination of colors and ma- terials within the building is another task which has too often been neglected. T h i s is most important. Just as mer- chandising establishments take great care in organizing colors to gain a maxi- m u m psychological advantage, so should the library offer due consideration to this phase of its planning. T h e basic theme to be set throughout the interior should be restful and relaxing. However, this does not mean that somber colors should necessarily predominate. O n the contrary, many successful libraries have indulged in bright, cheerful colors which, u p o n entering the building, give a person an immediate and p r o n o u n c e d uplift. Regardless of the weather, where large glass areas make the exterior scene a prominent consideration, reading rooms and other areas can present a warm, homey, and relaxed atmosphere. T h e r e is n o reason to believe that the o l d concept of dull colors, hard, uncom- fortable chairs, and a frightening, hushed air, is conducive of undistracted study. A l t h o u g h almost unlimited color ranges are feasible if intelligently organ- ized, there are certain basic limitations which must be considered. Particularly where strong colors are planned, extreme contrasts should be avoided except in areas where definite dramatic reactions are wanted. It must be remembered that, although the colors throughout the building should normally become an integral part of the building, they should in effect remain a background f o r the furnishings and occupants. W i t h careful planning this can be accomplished with strong colors as well as subdued hues. T h e required furnishings and equip- ment (and their necessary placement throughout the building) are of such c o m p l e x nature in a library as to present a " b u s y " and cluttered appearance un- less carefully organized in relation to colors. T h e visual impression received by the myriad colors of the books is in itself a basic consideration, and further adds to a sensation of visual activity. Light contrasts should be considered, b o t h f r o m artificial and natural sources. For example, where small windows are involved, light acts as a contrasting agent to the colors immediately surrounding the windows. T h e r e f o r e , the lighter the color o n the w i n d o w wall, the less the harshness of contrast. C o l o r intensity is observed in relation to the amount of light reflection and since the principle applies that light diminishes as the square of the distance f r o m its source, the exact intensity of a color must be considered in relation to its distance f r o m light sources. Since a person's sensory comprehen- sion is established initially by subcon- scious reaction to color surroundings, a basic initial impression is created u p o n first entering the confined areas of any building. Whatever the desired impres- sion—relaxed or riotous, subdued or (Continued on page 238) MAY, 1956 235 Development of Bucknell University Li- brary, Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. (Drexel) McTaggart, John Barney. History of the East- ern Baptist Theological Seminary Library, 1925-1953. (Drexel) Meyerend, Mrs. Maude Hitze. History and Survey of the Fine Arts Library of the Uni- versity of Pennsylvania from Its Founding to 1953. (Drexel) Nicholson, James Marvin. History of the Wake Forest College Library, 1878-1946. (North Carolina) Osborne, John T . Ursinus College Library, 1869-1953. (Drexel) Osburn, Harriet Sisson. History of the Li- brary Science Department of the Millers- ville State Teachers College, Millersville, Pennsylvania. (Drexel) Potter, Jessica Chandler. History of the Uni- versity of Washington Library. (Washing- ton) Sevy, Barbara S. T e m p l e University School of Medicine Library, 1910-1954. (Drexel) Young, Raymond Arthur. Mexico City Col- lege Library; Its History and Its Role in International Education. (Washington) S U R V E Y S Dodson, Elba A. Survey of the Catalog Di- vision of the Sullivan Memorial Library at T e m p l e University. (Drexel) Higgins, Frances Louise. Survey of the Ala- bama Agricultural and Mechanical College Library, Normal, Alabama. (Atlanta) Krenitsky, Michael V. Study of Junior Col- lege Libraries in Texas. (Southern Method- ist) McCain, Vernetta. Survey of the Maryland State College Library, Princess Anne, Mary- land. (Drexel) B U I L D I N G S Janney, Mrs. Ruthann Greer. Post-war Trends in the Planning and Construction of Col- lege and University Library Buildings in the United States, 1945-1953. (Illinois) U N I V E R S I T Y PRESSES Sydenstricker, Mrs. Dorothy Pressly. Study of the Oklahoma University Press. (Peabody) Interior Planning of College and University Libraries (Continued from page 235) stimulating—it must be integrated with the remainder of the building, since the homogeneous f u n c t i o n of a library dic- tates a constancy of atmosphere through- out. T h u s , a continuity of color should be adhered to. If changes in general c o l o r combinations are made, they should be alterations of such subtlety that one is not directly conscious of the change. T h e building as a whole should, architecturally, be a single unified enti- ty, and so should the colors carry out this policy of sustained uniformity. Otherwise the analogy of a library, or any building with a single functional purpose, w o u l d be lost. A great deal more c o u l d be said about color, and additional data submitted pertaining to the accomplishment of an homogeneous interior. However, the pri- mary importance of color within the building cannot be underestimated, since this background definitely estab- lishes the sensory impressions o n which are f o u n d e d the general reaction and ultimate success of the library. Every building program produces its o w n amalgam of problems, each of which must be solved in its o w n way. However, the general conditions mentioned here, as they pertain to interior planning, should be met. It is h o p e d that they will serve as an aid in organizing and ap- proaching the arduous task of coordinat- ing the interiors with the remaining phases of library planning. Functional efficiency, proper handling of materials and color, careful selection of equipment and furnishings, intelligent architectural and interior planning—all of these fac- tors interrelate within the organization and development of the building pro- gram, and each is essential to the crea- tion of a successful library. 238 C( . L E G E AND RESEARCH LIBRARIES