').

e block of shelf units

~~,r------------~ LIBRARIES
J.,'bc.et'"" r 1 aisle between shelving .... ,.. :
~~/ I /~ Basics
,,'
--r-
_1_ ..L.<O<.l-+&4 Types of library
double- Public lending libraries ~ p. 250: offer a wide range of literature
sided shelving
(length x depth x height) and other information, preferably on open shelves. The supply of
shelf literature covers all population and age groups. In larger cities,
(length x depth x height)
~ single-sided the functions of scientific and public libraries are sometimes
shelving combined.
centre~line
distance

0 Unsealed sketch to clarify the terms used in the calculation of areas for stock Scientific libraries~ p. 251: collection, acquisition and provision
of literature on specific subjects for education and research,
mostly publicly accessible without limitation.
block of shelf units 8.70 x 12.00
t=========--12.00--========±__, State libraries: federal state and national libraries; collections,
adjacent aisle
for example, of literature produced in the state or a region (legal
deposit copies); publicly accessible.

Specialist libraries: scientific libraries for the collection of

specialist literature and media on specific subjects, often with very
limited group of users.
Components
Three areas in every library: user and reading area, store and
0 •••••••••••••••••••••••••• ........... g administration. The space requirement for these areas differs
according to the type of library.
f) Floor area for bookshelves in stacks (stores), which are closed to the public
User and reading area: With a good orientation system
(signposting of routes, functions and shelves with easily read LIBRARIES
r--- 6.00 - - - ; -
signs), the reading area with reading and working places should Basics
adjacent aisle Fittings
Area Centreline if possible be spread over as few floors as possible, also for ease Lending counter
m distance (m) of book transport; staggered floors should be avoided. Access Public libraries
~~ Scientific libraries
shelving/
<0
store 1.35 should if possible be by stairs. All areas of the user and reading Archives
(1.20)
~~
m
room should also be accessible by lift (book transport, disability-
~ 1.44
E <nO
friendly). The floor in the user and reading area should be designed
~ ~;i self-service 1.40
for a loading of 5.0 kN/m 2 •
"
~
area 1.70
aisleL ~ information 1.60
area and 2.00 Traffic routes > 1.20 m wide, clear distance between the shelves
~ reading -in public areas always fixed- up to max. 1.30-1.40 m. Entrance
room and reading room area separated by access control with book
8 Floor area for bookshelves in self-service area, standard block 8.70 x 6.00 m
security system. If possible, only one entrance and exit. The
access control should ideally be situated near the lending counter/
central information.
Library area/floor Stacks and Compact Reading room Administration
type self-service systems and self-service Outside access-controlled area: cloakrooms or lockers for
store area clothing and bags/cases, toilets, cafeteria, newspaper reading
on floors arranged 7.5 12.5 5.0 5.0 corner, exhibition room, lecture and conference room (which may
transversely be open outside library opening hours), central information point,
on floors not 8.5 15.0 5.0 5.0 possibly also card index and microfiche catalogue, online catalogue
arranged transversely terminals, book return, collection point for ordered books.
0 Load assumptions for floors (kN/m2)
Inside access-controlled area: reader information, bibliographies,
online catalogue terminals, handing out and return of books only
Structural grid
to be used in reading area, issuing of books in educational book
3.60 4.20 4.80 5.40 6.00 6.60 7.20 8.40
collection, copiers (in separate rooms), book stock on open
Stacks (St) 1.05 1.08 1.10 1.05
shelves, user workplaces, possibly access to self-service stores.
Self-service areas (S1) 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.10 1.20 1.20 1.20 1.12/1.2
1.29 The provision of user workplaces in university libraries depends
Self-service areas (S2) 1.40 1.37 1.35 1.33 1.32 1.31 1.40 on the number of students and the distribution of the individual
1.44 1.50 1.47 1.44
subject groups. Special workplaces for disabled people (wheelchair
1.60 1.54 1.60 1.53
users, visually impaired), special work tasks (microform reading
1.68 1.65 1.68
and enlargement devices, PCs, terminals, CD-ROM and similar:
1.80
observe the guidelines for computer workplaces p. 236!) and single
Reading room areas (R) 1.80 1.80 1.71
workplaces (cubicles, carrels, single work rooms). The arrange-
1.92 2.00
ment of the reading places should be in daylight. Space require-
Workplaces (2.25) (W) 2.40 2.10 2.07 2.10
ment per single reading/working place 2.5 m2 , per PC or single
2.40 2.10 2.40 2.10 2.40 2.20 2.40 2.10
working place ~4.0 m2 • Traffic routes ~1 .20m wide, clear distance
Group workplaces (G) 3.60 4.20 4.80 3.60 4.00 4.40 3.60 4.20
between the shelves, which in public areas should always be
0 Suitability of common structural grids for essential functions of a library fixed, up to max. 1.30-1.40 m.

247
 Distance between Volumes/ m Vertical Volumes/m Space Volumes/ LIBRARIES
centreline of standard shelves double needed for 1000 m'
Basics
double shelves (m) shelves shelves books (m')
1.20 30 6 360 3.99 250.6
30 6.5 390 3.68 271.7 Lighting in the user area: generally approx. 250-300 lx; reading
25 6.5 325 4.43 225.7 and working places, card index, information, lending counter
30 7 420 3.42 292.3 500 lx. Climate in the user area: 20° ± 2°C, -50 ± 5% relative
"'-
0
N 25 6 300 4.80 208.3 humidity, air changes (flow of outside air) 20 m3 /h x no. of people;
6 360 4.16 240.3
"..,t:
0
;e
1.25 30
30 6.5 390 3.84 260.4
these values can sometimes be exceeded according to the weather.
Avoid direct sunshine as UV and heat radiation destroy paper
.., 25 6.5 325 4.61 216.9
.!'!. 30 7 420 3.56 280.8 and bindings. Air-conditioning systems should be used sparingly
~
25 6 300 4.99 200.4 because of the high energy consumption and thus high operation
""'
" .ll
1.30 30 6 360 4.33 230.9 costs. Window ventilation is possible for low building depth .
.., 30 6.5 390 3.99 250.6
""'
0
0 25 6.5 325 4.80 208.3
Safety and security in the user area: fire protection is adequately
30 7 420 3.70 270.2
"'
1! 25 6 300 5.19 192.6
covered in the regulations and requirements of the local building
.ll 222.2 inspectors. Burglary prevention through motion detectors and
1.35 30 6 360 4.50
"'
.ll 30 6.5 390 4.15 240.9 burglary-resistant glazing and theft protection through book
25 6.5 325 4.98 200.8 security systems, optimally securing unsupervised emergency
30 7 420 3.85 259.7
doors through electronically controlled automatic locking on
25 6 300 5.40 185.1
30 6 360 4.85 206.1
alarm. Mechanical securing of emergency doors, also with
1.40
30 6.5 390 4.47 223.7 acoustic and/or optical signals, is not very effective.
"'- 25 6.5 325 5.17 193.4
"'
N
iii
30 7 420 4.16 240.3 The stacks (store) should ideally be situated in the basement
t: 300 5.82 171.8
0 25 6 on account of the more even climate and support of the higher
~
.., 20 5.5 220 7.63 131.0
loadings. 'Book towers' are inconvenient on account of the
.!'!. 1.44 25 6 300 6.00 166.6
increased cost of air conditioning, transport and staff because of
"'
1! 25 5.5 275 6.53 153.1
the limited space and flexibility. The largest possible continuous
""'
20 6 240 7.50 133.3
.!l
~
20 5.5 220 8.17 122.3 areas without steps are the most practical. Divide into fixed
6.25 160.0
""'
.,!.
1.50 25
25
6
5.5
300
275 6.81 146.8
and mobile shelf blocks ('compact systems') depending on the
LIBRARIES Qi structural grid of the columns (-7 DIN specialist report 13). Mobile
Basics
"' 20 6 240 7.81 128.0
stacks can increase the capacity by up to -100%. Floor load-
20 5.5 220 8.51 117.5
Fittings
1.68 25 6 300 7.00 142.8 bearing capacity for fixed shelves is min. 7.5 kN/m 2 ; for mobile
Lending counter
Public libraries
:g 25 5.5 275 7.62 131.2 stacks min. 12.5 kN/m 2 (-7 DIN specialist report 13}.
0
Scientific libraries 20 6 240 8.75 114.2
Archives
"''0
"
.!'!. 20 5.5 220 9.53 104.9 Climate in stacks: 18 ± 2°C, 50 ± 5% rei. humidity, air changes
1.80 20 5.5 220 10.22 97.8
DIN specialist m~ (flow of outside air) ~3 m3/h x m2 ; filtering of harmful substances
report 13 rnl}, 20 5 200 11.25 88.8
EN
1.87 20 5.5 220 10.62 94.1
(dust, S02 , NOx etc.) is required according to location. The use of
0
e 20 5 200 11.68 85.6 wall materials with a good capacity to retain moisture and heat
g> 2.10 20 5.5 220 11.92 83.8 can reduce the need for air conditioning. Slight air movement
'0
"'
1! 20
20
5
4
200
160
13.12
16.40
76.2
60.9
is useful for the avoidance of mould formation, particularly with
mobile stacks (use open ends). Special collections and materials
Source: Schwe1gler
(e.g. slides, film or sound and data storage media as well as
0 Space calculation card, drawings and graphics) require a particular climate.
Area Volumes
per shelf Floor load-bearing capacity in administration and book
stacks 25-30 processing areas >5.0 kN/m 2 ; can be higher in the technical
Structural grid 7.20 mx 7.50 mx 7.80 m x 8.40 m x
self-service 20-25 areas (workshops) on account of machinery (individual structural
area
7.20m 7.50 m 7.80 m 8.40 m verification required}.
information 20
n x distance 6x 1.20 6x1.25 6x 1.30 6x 1.20 area and
between 5x1.44 5x 1.50 5x 1.56 4x 1.40 reading Construction: Reinforced concrete or steel frame construction
centre-line (m) 4x 1.80 4x 1.87 4x 1.95 4x 1.68 room with a grid of>7.20 m x 7.20 m and room heights of ~3.00 m have
proved successful on account of the flexibility of fitting out.
f) Example of standard spacing for usual 0 Volumes per shelf
structural grids
Traffic routes: avoid crossings and overlapping of routes for
No. shelves Standard distance between centre-line (m) users, staff and books.
1.10 1.20 1.30 1.40 1.50 1.60 1.70 1.80
4 3.83 3.72 3.62 3.54 3.46 3.39 3.33 3.27 Transport: Book transport carried out horizontally with trolleys
5 4.38 4.24 4.11 4.00 3.90 3.81 3.73 3.65 (no thresholds, differences of level should have ramps for ;;'ii6% or
6 4.93 4.75 4.60 4.46 4.34 4.23 4.13 4.03 lifting platforms) and conveyor belts; vertically in lifts, conveyor
7 5.48 5.27 5.09 4.93 4.78 4.65 4.53 4.42 belts (plan the route carefully, with sloping upward inclines; very
8 6.03 5.79 5.58 5.39 5.22 5.07 4.93 4.80 low maintenance costs), container transport systems (mechanically
9 6.58 6.31 6.07 5.85 5.66 5.49 5.33 5.18 programmable, combination of horizontal stretches and paternoster
G Live floor loads for various number of shelves and centre-line distances
lifts} or automatic container transport systems (routes can be
horizontal or vertical as required, automatic, mostly computer route
control; high investment cost, currently very high maintenance costs).
Vertical shelves n 7 6 5 Assuming a format distribution of
Max. book height (em) 25 30 35 25cm 65%
25-30 em 25% Space requirement for bookshelves depends on the form of
Average book depth (em) 18 20 22
Load per shelf (kN)
30-35 em 10% organisation, accessibility for users, type of shelves (fixed or
0.38 0.51 0.55
results in a required load mobile}, systematic subject categorisation with corresponding
assumption of 7.5 kNJm2
display, format separation and construction grid (tables -7 DIN
0 Floor load assumption for stacks of 7.5 kN/m 2 specialist report 13}.

248
 LIBRARIES
Tr-------, I
F, ~b · e · (1+~}
WI<
formula 1

•' " I ~ T F1 floor area required for an open

workstation for library user
width of table
Fittings

distance between centre-lines

of tables arranged one behind System furniture for reference
the other
N% percentage of area allowed and lending libraries for all
for adjacent aisles providing
access to individual types of devices (telephone, PC,
workstations
Under the conditions listed above, the terminals, microfiche readers)
LI I ~ J:1 D . ·.•· 1.00
floor area required for an individual work-
station is approx. 2.50 m 2 • Example:
and for all required cable
· ~~~~~~.-~ r~ .· · . l F1 ~ 1.00
ducts for network and com-
1 11-l F1 ~ 2.48
m · (0.70 + 0.95). (1+ .§Q,)
m' 100 munications systems.
0 Space for a single workplace-> 8 f) Minimum spacing between tables 8 Area calculation -> 0 m 2 main Cupboards with special
usable area drawers for card catalogues,
microfiches, slides, film, audio
r··c·~~::::. and videocassettes, compact
discs, drawing cabinets for
1-1.00---l
maps, drawings and graphics.

~~-;;lf1::::%fffi Shelving systems for books,

magazines, media; mostly
shelf freestanding double shelf
units units (vertical steel profiles,
EEE shelves steel sheet or wood)

v1v1l h = 2.25 m, spacing of verticals

= 1.00 m, depth of shelves =
L__ Jl ~ 0.25-0.30 m, but also extra
Minimum free room in reading
area->9
e Transporting books between
sitting and standing library
e Carrels (non-lockable protected
workplaces)
depths, e.g. for atlases and
newspaper collected editions;
users-> 0 shelves adjustable for height
min. every 15 mm. Height of LIBRARIES

,,~da~itMJ:.,
the freestanding double shelves Basics
max. 5 x depth. Capacity of the Fittings
>--- 1. 70 ----4
shelves depends on the number Lending counler

:-108\
I I
1.50
Public libraries
of shelves per unit, calculated Scientific libraries
at 25-30 vols/running m (--> Archives
A 1,3.~m~-- __j
1 - - - 2.00 ---1
1 DIN specialist report 13). Shelf
spacing in stacks > 0.75 m,

ffi-·~-ill-·~-ill-=-m+ .l
longer in accessible areas.

~-lgq Mobile shelf units (only

permissible in closed stacks)

llr'narrowest aisle 'T'circulation route~ normal width rT1 B ~~m_: _____: 1 can, if the column grid is
favourable and the shelf
Q Minimum spacing e Microfiche reader workplace blocks fit, result in a capacity
increase of up to approx. 100%.
Required: floor load-bearing
capacity ~12.5 kN/m 2 (extra
costs compared to the usual
7.5 kN/m 2).
Microfilm reader workplaces
will be necessary in the future to
make available microfilmed media
(predominantly newspapers). The
tendency, however, is towards
digitalisation because this
creates better use and access
G Shelf unit, five shelves 41!) Shelf height for schoolchildren 4D Shelf unit, four shelves- small possibilities.
children

1--1,00 -----l f---54---1 !-30-l

;:=;== ;==
5 !---1 ,00 --i !--54 --j 1-30-t
f= I=

I 4
I= F= 4
-
I=
,-- :=-
0
"'. 3

2
I=
I=
F=
T
22,5
1
0

"'·
3
I= I=
I===

T I= F= 1 12 I=

I
I=
30 T I= T
1 30
I~ r==i 1
l
~
20
.L

double-sided single-sided
I~
$ Bookshelves for adults 5-6 shelves, for children 4-5 shelves-> 4D (D Magazine rack

249
 ,------ LIBRARIES
Permanent workplace Near to the
for staff f+- administration Space Requirement
~
"0
c t
£"'c Issue/return of media. Lending counter
Q) f---+ Counter Book transport automatic
and hidden it possible
This is the interface between entrance areas and the normally
"'c
·c accessible catalogue areas, the reading room with microfilm
g
c
0
::;;
t device, the stacks and the administration. Here the issuing and
return of books takes place, information about the library is given
Near to computer
Informing the users
~ terminals for catalogue and people are checked on entering or leaving the reading room.
Explanation of IT catalogue
research So there are many demands on the counter.
-
0 Demands on the lending counter/issue desk Mobile counters of combined units are mainly suitable for
smaller libraries. Larger libraries, especially when the book trans-
port systems are integrated into the counters, tend to prefer
permanently installed systems. The height of the counter depends
on the rnain activity undertaken --7 0, 95-1 05 em is appropriate.
It is better not to have any additional units above the counter in
libraries mainly used by young people and children. The surface
of the counter is subject to very heavy wear, so suitable materials
should be specified, which can still look presentable after a long
period of use (e.g. solid wood, linoleum or laminates coloured
adults right through). Provide connections for computer and telephone,
adequate lighting and a view into the open air (comply with the
requirements of the Workplace Regulations, as the counter is
normally a permanent workplace).
Public libraries
Functional scheme of a medium-sized library These offer general literature and other media on directly acces-
LIBRARIES sible self-service display. Systematic collection and cataloguing
Basics by content of printed and other media is restricted to a few large
Fittings
Lending counter public libraries. Public libraries have no scientific collection duty
Public libraries 3000 or archive function, but are lending libraries, which normally have
Scientific libraries
!--- ....... small stores or none at all. The users are children, young people
Archives 2400
,...... and adults. Public libraries aim their range of stock and services
"'~ at meeting the needs of the users. As a place of communication
1500
1//
('market place') for the population, they offer, in addition to the
g 1200
traditional lending of books, browsing zones, citizen's advice,
"'
Q)
900 -'
...... information, cafeteria, listening to music, areas for sitting and
~ 600
....v events, art lending, and/or travelling library.
" 300
r-7 ~T Tolo vf'ujej fjr "!"j 3joj'
Stock ('media') can be not only books and newspapers but also
10 20 30 40 50 80 100 magazines, brochures, games or new media (CD, DVD, video,
Scheme: space requirement of a library depending on the amount of stock
PC games), which can be borrowed or used in the library. Rooms
should encourage visitors to stay by being welcoming. Structure
the areas into those for adults, children and young people with
activity-oriented movement rooms, not separated but in zones
Technical processing with flowing transition. The space requirement is in line with the
Post room Reception booking amount of stock --7 0. The target is two media units per inhabitant,
goods entrance/ ramp Store, sort and distribute
Packaging (remote lending)
but a minimum size of 300 m2 usable area with 10 000 media
units in stock. They should be large, connected areas, almost
Administration square and flexibly usable, and extending horizontally rather than
office workplace
Invoicing
vertically (less staff), capable of extension and with an inviting
entrance area. The shelf units in the adult area will have five or
Librarian Stock-taking six shelves (max. reach height 1.80 m --7 p. 249 ~), and in the
Office workplace with additional Title registration children's area four shelves (reach height -1.20 m --7 p. 249 $ -
shelf space for media ;?i2 m2 Issue of signature
Parking for book trolley Subject assignment 0). Passages should not be longer than 3 m, neither niches nor
(50 em x 100 em) Catalogue processing compartments. Books are transported with a book trolley (L x H
x W: 92 x 99 x 50 em). Goods lift at the goods entrance, and in
Technical processing larger libraries also book transport systems. Floor loading in public
Bookbinding workshop ;?;so m2 Binding libraries: 5.0 kN/m 2 , in store-type self-service areas with denser
Restoration workshop ;?i200 m2 Labelling stacking 7.5 kN/m 2 , with compact storage (mobile shelving units)
(for 4 employees) Restoration
Material store ;?; 15 m2 12.5 or 15.0 kN/m 2 .

Distribution Sorting
Book sorting room~ 14m2 Distribution

Stacks I sell-service shelves

Q Route of book processing from delivery to lending

250
 LIBRARIES
Scientific Libraries

Scientific libraries have always had a key role in the history of

science and in the life of universities. They are not only a location
for storing books, but places where books can be worked with.
An important and decisive part of world literature has been
produced in libraries. Their erection is among society's greatest
Section reading room building projects. Important architectural examples from the
19th century show what high prestige has been applied to the
task (Biblioteca Laurentiana, Florence; Bibliotheque Nationale,
Paris).

They collect and access printed publications and other

information media for education and research, and offer it for
use in reading rooms (stock which is not lent out) and also for
lending from the closed stacks, the self-service shelves and,
to select in the reading rooms, separately displayed teaching
material or specially gathered collections for one term. As
3rd floor reading room well as books and magazines, most other types of audiovisual
media are collected, catalogued and available for use. The
number of reading places is related to the number of students
in the various subjects. Orientation is provided by systematic
classification of stock by subject. The services offered include
remote lending (obtaining literature from distant libraries),
copying services and enlargement of micro-forms (microfiche
and microfilm).
LIBRARIES
Example: Juridicum Halle___. 0- f). Basics
Fittings
2nd floor reading room Lending counter
University libraries Public libraries
These are single- or two-storey buildings: single-storey systems Scientific
are centrally administered (book processing and services) and libraries
Archives
mostly have at least a few separate user areas in branch or
specialist libraries. Two-storey libraries include a central library
and an (often larger) number of libraries for faculties, specia-
list areas and institutes. Stock is often freely available in
reading rooms, often in self-service stacks (shelving units
spaced as in closed stacks) and in closed stacks, the different
forms of display being mixed in most university libraries. The
1st floor reading room
ratio of stored to display and lending stock is determined by
the structure of the stock, and/or the organisation type or
library concept, and often also the space available in existing
buildings.

CD Main entrance ®we

®Lockers (J) Cafe, accessible from outside
®Waiting area @ Reading places
@Staff/supervision ® Bookshelves
@Exam room @ Computer places

0 Juridicum Halle: specialist law library, Halle University, Wittenberg f) Juridicum Halle, section Arch.: Thomas van den Valentyn, Gernot Schulz

251
 LIBRARIES
Archives

Basics
Archives do not, unlike libraries,
serve mainly to make available
written, graphic and audio media,
but for their systematic cataloguing
and long-term preservation.

In this function, they are often part

of libraries, museums or universities.
State archives keep all sorts of files,
0 Extension of the State Archive In Dresden, section through old building and new archive building business records, maps, drawings
Arch.: Kister Schelthauer Gross
and documents.

In order to be able to accept the rapidly

increasing stock, suitable storage
systems such as rolling shelving
units or plan chests (---7 pp. 237,
248) must be provided. The loading
on the floor slab should be paid
particular attention (---7 p. 248). For
the durability of the preserved media,
the maintenance of a uniform climate
is the most important factor, but
full air conditioning has not proved
acceptable on account of the high
Basics cost. Natural ventilation is the ideal,
Fittings f) The archive storerooms are arranged round the access and ventilation core. The room can be flexibly but also brings the danger of entry
Lending counter
Public libraries
divided due to the three entrances. Pre-stressed concrete slabs enable thin floor structures with high loadings, by air-borne pollutants. Systems
Scientific libraries so that space-saving rolling storage units can be used. without air conditioning need solid
Archives walls with the best possible diffusion
values, and the temperature should
be maintained by simple wall surface
heating (skirting radiators).

CD Controlled @Display
access for users @ Seminar/ lecture
® Information, @ Bistro/cafe
issue
®Store @ Self-service films
@) Supervision @ Film reading room
@ Reading room @Post room
® Map reading @Director

e First floor serves to connect to the old building and houses seminar rooms, cafeteria and reading room. (!)
room
Search aids
®Workshops
@
@
Administration
Archive rooms
@Stair and
®Delivery ventilation core
@ Staff access

e Ground floor and first floor serve public functions. The foyer In the new building enables disability-friendly access
8 Principle of source ventilation: prepared
air is blown in through shafts and fed to
and connection to the old building. the floors through ventilation blocks.

252