New Mexico State Library

Library Construction and Renovation Projects

Library construction projects require much planning and consideration. This guide provides resources to help with your new construction or renovation project.

If you know of additional resources, architects, or advice to include in this guide, please let us know by calling 800-340-3890.

Planning Resources

Websites:

6 Tips to Surviving Library Construction: Wisdom from the library leaders who pulled off 12 renovations in seven months
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6440933.html

Building Libraries and Library Additions: A Selected Annotated Bibliography
http://www.ala.org/ala/alalibrary/libraryfactsheet/alalibraryfactsheet11.cfm

Library Building Consultants List
https://cs.ala.org/lbcl/search/ (scroll to the very bottom to obtain a list of consultant names by state or specialty free of charge)

Library Space Planning Guide
http://www.webjunction.org/documents/connecticut/Library_Space_Planning_Guide.html

Libris Design Planning Documentation
http://www.librisdesign.org/docs/index.html

Planning and Building Libraries
http://www.slais.ubc.ca/RESOURCES/architecture/index.htm

Books at the State Library available through ILL:

Brawner, Lee B., and Donald K. Beck, Jr. Determining your public library’s future size: a needs assessment and planning model. Chicago: American Library Association, 1996.

Brown, Carol R. Interior design for libraries: drawing on function and appeal. Chicago: American Library Association, 2002.

Dahlgren, Anders. Planning the small library facility. Chicago: Library Administration and Management Association, American Library Association, 1996.

Dewe, Michael. Planning public library buildings: concepts and issues for the librarian. Aldershot, England; Burlington, VT: Ashgate Pub., 2006.

Hagloch, Susan B. Library building projects: tips for survival. Englewood, Colo.: Libraries Unlimited, 1994.

Lushington, Nolan. Libraries designed for users: a 21st century guide. New York: Neal-Schuman Publishers, 2002.

McCabe, Gerard B. Planning for a new generation of public library buildings. Westport, Conn.: Greenwood Press, 2000.

McCabe, Gerard B., and James R. Kennedy, editors. Planning the modern public library building. Westport, Conn.: Libraries Unlimited, 2003.

McCarthy, Richard C. Designing better libraries: selecting and working with building professionals. Fort Atkinson, Wis.: Highsmith Press, 1995.

Sannwald, William W., editor. Checklist of library building design considerations. Chicago: American Library Association, 2001.

Woodward, Jeannette A. Countdown to a new library: managing the building project. Chicago: American Library Association, 2000.

Advice for Funding Sources

from NM libraries that have received construction funding recently

  • City bonds
  • Friends groups
  • General Obligation Bonds
  • State Capital Outlay
  • Individual, corporate, and nonprofit donors in the community
  • Rural Development Council
  • Sell tiles or bricks to be engraved with donor’s name and incorporated in the building or landscaping
  • Ask local building contractors for donations