As I mentioned in my first post, the Music Library is the size of a small classroom, roughly 21.5 x 15.5 x 12, and is shaped like a baseball diamond . Here is an image of the room dimensions, along with the original plan for shelf layout:
Click for larger picture
As you can see, space is pretty tight. The original plan also did not leave room for a circulation/ work desk, which we have now. The room was zoned for 8o lbs per square foot of weight, which equals approximately 40,880 pounds or 20 tons. At this time, we only have 10 bookshelves along the perimeter of the room, which is far less than the weight limit- on the diagram they are the walls marked 21.6 and 15.6. The room has gone through many transformations. I have already moved things around from my first post picture. I removed 2 computer stations, so we have four computer stations in the center of the room and one table that seats up to 4-5 people, for group study. I also moved our circulation/ work desk towards the wall farthest away from the door, which will open up space for one more tall bookshelf on the wall marked 12′ 7 7/16. There is a media file cabinet for DVDs and CDs behind the desk.
Right now we are weeding items that were stored in the room that are not cataloged, so do not be alarmed at the sparseness in the pictures! Here are the most current pictures of the room (please excuse the mess):
Hallway to ECSU Music Library
Circulation / work desk and glimpse of media cabinet
Shelves and group study table
View from behind the circ desk and of computer stations
In order to make more space in the future, we may attempt to lay out a row of back-to-back half shelves in the chevron shape (as shown in the diagram above), plus another chevron row of half shelves with the computers against the backside of the shelf. This would edge us closer to our weight limit, but provide space for almost 500 more books. We also have plans to add short shelves under the windows once we no longer need both book carts currently taking up the space.
The next few posts will address our “business” model, marketing plans, and collection considerations.
ESCU Music Library Blog 