Library building, furniture, Equipment and its standards

LIBRARY BUILDING, FURNITURE, EQUIPMENT and Its
Standards
Moirangthem Romio Singh
M.Lib.I.Sc, UNOM (2017-19)
Enroll No: 36517007
Supervisor: Mr. A. Perumal
Assstant Professor, DLIS, University of Madras

ContentIntroduction
Standards in library
Library building, planning & design
Library furniture & fitting
Norms and standards for library
Classification of libraries
Conclusion
2

Introduction
 Library plays a vital role in academic and research system and that is why library is
considered to be the ‘heart’ of educational / research system. Without a good library and a
laboratory, any university cannot ensure quality education or research.
 Beside 3 important component of library System a functional library Building is very
important
 In a functional library Building, a proper allocation of space for the books and other reading
material, staff and reader should be made.
 A library building should be simple, flexible and functional.
 Considering the importance of library in higher education and research, the Bureau of Indian
Standards came out with Indian Standard: 1553-1960 Code of practice relating to primary
elements in the design of library building based on the recommendations of a Committee
chaired by Dr. S.R.Ranganathan.
3

STANDARDS IN LIBRARY
4
 It define standards, as officially adopted quantitative and qualitative norms which have been
variously interpreted as the pattern of an ideal, a model procedure, a measure for appraisal, a
stimulus for future development and improvement, and as an instrument to assist decision
and action. In the context of libraries, the Standards are based on criteria, which can be
instrumental in the measurements or assessment of the library services
 Library Standards are not only helpful in the library work but they also serve administrators
and heads of the institutions in planning and administering the libraries.
 The Standards serve the dual function of the evaluation of the on-going services as well as of
Planning better and improved services for the future.
 The Standards serve as indispensable aid to library authorities and Librarians in developing
adequate bookstocks, in functional and adequate building made, and in securing properly
qualified personnel.
 Since 1960 the following more Standards have been developed by the Indian Standards Institution, that
are as follows: -

STANDARDS IN LIBRARY
5
1. IS: 2672-1966 Code of Practice for Library Lighting.
2. IS: 1829 (Part I)-1977 Specifications for Library Furniture and Fittings, Part I, Timber (First
3. IS: 1829 (Part II)-1993 Specifications for Library Furniture and Fittings, Part II, Steel
4. IS: 1233-1958 Recommendations for Modular Coordination of Dimensions in the Building Industry.
5. IS: 1172-1957 Code of Basic Requirements for water Supply, Drainage and Sanitation.
6. IS: 1883-1975 Metal Shelving Racks (Adjustable Type) (Second Revision)
7. IS: 8338-1976 Recommendations relating to Primary Elements in the Design of School Library Buildings.
8. IS: 3312 Steel Shelving cabinets (Adjustable Type) (First Revision)
9. IS: 4116-1976 Wooden shelving cabinets (Adjustable type) (First Revision).
10. IS: 1553-1989 Arrangement of gangway second revision reprint Dec. 1992.
11. IS: 766- 2 (Part-I) Orientation of Libraries 1974 IInd Revision. Second reprint December, 1992.
12. IS: 1642-1988 Type -I Construction fire resistance IInd Revision Second reprint Dec. 1992.
13. IS: 11460 - 1985 Details of fire protection and safety IInd Revision second reprint Dec. 1992.
14. IS: 2672 - 1966 Levels of illumination second Revision IInd reprint Dec. 1992.
15. IS: 7942-1976 For day lighting reference second revision IInd Reprint Dec. 1992.
16. IS: 7942 - 1976 Method for achieving noise reduction and sound insulation second revision
17. IS: 2661-1978 Specification for mobile library Van. (First revision)

Library Building, Planning & Design
6  Dr. S.R.Ranganathan committee recommended the norms and guidelines for preparing a brief for
library
1. Size of the library
2. Location of library
3. Rooms to be provided
4. Circulation
5. Orientation of the stack room
6. Relative position of rooms
7. Size of the rooms, gangways.
8. Windows
9. Canteen
10.Air conditioning
11.Design of open access
12.Phase construction
13.Committee of library experts.

Library Building, Planning & Design
7  1. future growth:- should be plan for 25 yr. and building should be extendable in future Growth with minimum of
disruption. Should be adequate provision for future extension both horizontal and vertical.
 2. Functional design : a library should have functional design rather than a monumental one. There should be
provision for documents, users, staff, and service areas.
 3. Open access : it should be suitable for open access system.
 4. Flexible : there should be the means of interchange ability of all major stack areas, service areas, reading room,
and staff.
 5. Accessibility : the library should be accessible from entrance to all parts of the library building.
 6. Orientation : it is another important point for consideration. There should be arrangements for natural light and
light is comparatively steady throughout the year and does not expose the readers to sun ray.
 7. Quiet surrounding : a library should be in quite surrounding.
 8. Air conditioning, lighting and Noise : uniform standard of lighting, heating, cooling, ventilation, noise
prevention, communications, fumigation and flooring are necessary to meet the criteria of interchange ability.
 9. Economic : the library can be carried out with the minimum of staff and finance.
 10. Care : the building should be free from dust, dirt and cobwebs.

Space required for stock room
8
 UGC committee recommended ;-
 1. Clear length ; 1.80 n plus 3.15 metre. Centre to centre distance rack 1.80 m & distance from end wall of the
stack room to centre nearest row of rack is 1.57m
 2 Clear wide ; 3m ( 1 book rack 2m long plus one side gang way of 1m) or 5m (on 2 the basis of 2 book rack each
2m long plus one side gang way of 1m width) or 8m (on 2 the basis of 3 book rack each 2m long plus o2 side
gang way of 1m width)
Space estimate as per BIS stack room
 Each unit book rack meter long may be assumed to house 700 t0 750 volumes
 One sq. m stack area may be assumed to house 150 volumes
Size of reading room
Length ; 5m
Width ; 1.3m

Library furniture & Fitting
9 IA. Book rack 180 cm wide , 195/225cm high and 25 / 50cm deep. Shelves in rack usually 5 to 6 depending on the hight of the rack.
B. Periodical Display Rack ; two single sided racks back to back .
i. Step or Gallery type ; 5cm deep, 15 cm H, 90cm L. 4to 5 steps and on each step 4 t0 5 journal can be display and single sided rack 20
to 25 journal display.
ii. Pigeon Hole type ; ha two parts one being cupboard in the bottom & other pigeon holes at the top Usual H and W are 7.5 feet and 6
feet
C. Catalogue Cabinet ;- 5 * 3 ( this unit are available in a wide range of sizes starting from 4 drawer to 6 drawer ) Each tray can hold
about 1000, thick card.
D. Charging desk / Issue counter ; the height of the counter should be 4 to 6 foot & should have sufficient drawer space to
accommodate all the issue doc. Records. The common typr for issue counter is circular, L – shape, Rectangular and U – shape.
E. Computer table ; tables with drawers are required for the OPAC terminal, digital library section & such other.
F.Chairs; required for OPAC terminals, digital library section, technical staff and readers.
G. Book end / Support ; at least two book supports are required for one plank so that the book are made to stand erect.
H. Photocopies ; the libraries for various activities there will always be the need of multiples copies of the single document.
l. Typewriters/ Computer ; Typewriters are gradually replaced by computer I most libraries. In automated library bar code printer, bar
code reader and such other should also be procured.
J. Miscellaneous Items ; it will include stool / step ladder for reaching the roof, vacuum cleaners, air conditioner, binding equipment,
projector etc.

Building, Furniture’s and Fittings Planning
10  Planning for optimum utilization of space is an important task. This implies the development
of a functionally effective layout of the Information Centre.
 Indian Standards Institute which is now known as Bureau of Indian Standards , appointed Dr.
S. R. Ranganathan as the Chairman of its first Documentation Sectional Committee, which
fixed (accorded) priority to the areas of library buildings, furniture’s and fittings. The
Committee finalized its draft for Standards regarding Buildings, Furniture’s and Fittings, and
as a result IS: 1553 – 1960 Code of practice relating to Primary elements in the design of
library building came into existence that gives information on the following things: -
1.The average size of different types of libraries in terms of the number of books bound
volumes of periodicals, number of current periodicals for display, the number of seats
for readers, and strength staff;
2.The different kinds of rooms required for different libraries; and
3.The basis and method of estimating the dimension of each kind of room, etc

11
SN SPACE FOR BASIS AREA in Sq. M
1. Stack Room for 10,000 volumes 100 Volumes Per Sq. Meter 100
2. Reading Room for 50 readers 3.3 Sq. Meters Per Reader 165
3. Head and two Senior Professionals 15 Sq. Meters Per Person 45
4. Other Professional Staff (27) 9 Sq. Meters Per Person 243
5. Office: #Administrative officer
#Other Staff (22)
15 Sq. Meters Per Person
9 Sq. Meters Per Person
15
198
6. Library Counter 30
7. At Service Point (15) 5 Sq. Meters Per Person 75
8. Seminar Room 20
9. Committee Room 20
10. Visitors Room 15
Total : 926
11. Additional Space for Passage, etc. (Approximately 40% of Space estimated) 370
Total Space Required : 1296

12  The space required for the Reprography/ Printing Section has not been included as it should be done
on the basis of the equipment used. However, a minimum of 200 Sq. Meters would be required.
 In the planning of library buildings, Ranganathan’s five Laws of library science with their possible implications
may be used as basic principles. On the other hand Kaula has summarized the principles enunciated by different
specialists as follows:-
 Building should be designed on the functional basis;
 Physical design should be governed by the functions of the library;
 Interior details should be planned anterior to the exterior;
 Building should provide economy in administration and Operation;
 Main study areas should be close to the book shelves and stacks;
 Building should represent simplicity in character;
 Consideration should be given for expansion and anticipated development in the future;
 Physical conveniences should be in proportion to the number and nature of Clientele and library staff;
 Details of the library should be worked out, based on the existing data and the proportional future growth; and
 Plan of the building should be adaptable to the future growth and development.

Planning of the space and building
13  After the planning of the space and building, Another Important thing in the library, that is Furniture and
equipment planning, because it has been said that a library building is incomplete without the proper
furniture, fitting and furnishings.
 selection of furniture is directly related to its intended function and location within the library or
Information Centre, it should be made by the appropriate person
 According to Thompson, the librarian should choose the shelving, catalogues and technical equipment
and the architect should choose chairs and tables because these are the wares with which he is
concerned throughout his professional life.
 The standard developed by Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), the United States Federal Supply
Service, and the International Standard Organization.
 (ISO : 5970 : 1979. Furniture, chairs and tables for educational institutions including libraries) can be
helpfully utilized.
 The estimate of furniture and equipment mentioned in transparency is based on the document
collection, number of readers, and number of professional/ non- professional. In the estimation, the
recommendations contained in the following Indian Standards have been considered.
 IS : 1829 (Part – 1) – 1961 . Specifications for library furniture’s and fittings. Part-1 : Timber; and
 IS : 1553 – 1960. Code of practice relating to primary elements in the design of library buildings.


Manpower Planning and Standards
14
 Manpower Planning at the organizational level has been defined as "strategy for acquisition,
utilisation, improvement and of an enterprise’s human resources".
 Basically Manpower Planning includes determining the staff required, selection and
recruitment, appropriate placement, promotion, provision of opportunities for maximum
individual contribution under desirable working relationships and conditions, provision for
professional personnel development as well as improvement of working conditions to obtain
maximum productivity and efficiency under specifically emphasized consideration for
individual and human elements.
 In other words, the objective should be to estimate, retain, utilize and develop an adequate
staff by which to carry on efficiently the operations of the library; and to help to fulfill the
aspirations and capabilities of the individuals who compose the staff.
 After the staff formula suggested by Dr. Ranganathan to UGC, the Staff Inspection Unit (SIU)
of Ministry of Finance (Department of Expenditure) evolved standards in 1966 for application
in government libraries, which was strongly criticised by the Associations like IASLIC, etc.
now we can see the Ranganathan’s staff formula or the manpower norm, from this
transparency:-

Manpower Planning and Standards
15
.
Section with function Annual Quantum per person
Book/ Document Section -Selection, Ordering, &accessioning of purchased as
well as books received on exchange or asgifts.
6000 documents annually added
Periodical Publication Section - Ordering, receipt, preparation & display of
current periodicals, their cumulation, and preparing for binding on the
completion of volume.
500 periodical titles received
Technical Processing Section - Classification, Catalogue, etc. 1500 to 2000 documents annually added
Circulation Section - Charging and discharging of books/ documents all through
each day.
1500 gate-hours, the Circulation Counter is
kept open
Reference Section- Helping the users in the choice of books and articles,
answering reference queries.
50 queries/ readers in a day.
=Maintenance of books/ periodicals in the correct sequence on selves,
maintenance of gang-way guides, bay guides, shelf guides in the stack.
=Daily replacement of books/ docs. Returned
=Preparation of books for repair and binding.
-One person for every 10,000 vols. In stack.
-One person for every 6000 vols. Annually
added.
Information Services Section
- Abstracting, State-of-the-art report, Critical data compilation, Critical review,
etc.
1.5 Man Year on average for each service
Supervisory Staff One for every 1500 hours the SL & IC is kept
open.

NORMS AND STANDARDS FOR LIBRARY PRESCRIBED BY
REGULATORY BODIES OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION IN INDIA
16
 The IS 1553-1960 prescribed the average size of different types of libraries, the different
kinds of rooms required, etc.
 regulatory bodies of professional education such as AICTE, MCI, INC and NCTE and found
that none of the regulatory bodies of professional education in India has suggested the Indian
Standards such as
 IS: 1892 (Part-I) – 1978 Specifications for Library Furniture and Fittings: Timber;
 IS: 1892 (Part-II) – 1977 Specifications for Library Furniture and Fittings: Steel;
 IS: 1172-1971 Code of Basic Requirements for Water Supply, Drainage and Sanitation;
 IS: 3312-1974 Steel Shelving Cabinets; IS: 4116-1976 Wooden Shelving Cabinets, etc.
Further,
 ISO standard such as ISO/TR 11219:2012 which specifies data for the planning of library
buildings has also not been recommended by the regulatory bodies of professional education
in India.

Indian Standard 1553-1960
17
 The IS 1553-1960 Code of Practice Relating to Primary Elements in the Design of
Library Buildings prescribes the average size of different types of libraries, the different
kinds of rooms required; the basis and method of estimating the dimension of each kind of
room, etc
S. No. Type of Library No. of volumes
No. of
periodicals for
display
No. of
Reader’s seats
1
National Central
Library
2,00,000 to 6,00,000 500 to 2,000 500 to 2,000
2 State Central Library 1,00,000 to 5,00,000 100 to 1,000 500 to 1,500
3 City Central Library 50,000 to 3,00,000 50 to 1,000 100 to 1,000
4 Rural Central Library 50,000 to 3,00,000 Nil 50
5 Branch Library 50,000 to 25,000 20 to 50 50 to 200
Size of collection and Reader’s Seats

18
No. Room NCL SCL CCL RCL BL
1 Stack Room R R R R R
2 Catalogue Room R R R R R
3 General Reading Room R R R R R
4 Periodicals Reading Room R R R - -
5 Special Reading Room R R R - -
6 Research Cubicles R R R - -
7 Group Study Room R R R - -
8 Seminar Room R R R - -
9 Conference Room R R R - -
10 Exhibition Room R R R R -
11 Librarian’s Room R R R R R
12 Deputy Librarian’s Room R R R R -
13 Technical Staff Roo R R R R -
Rooms required for different kind of library buildings (Public Library)

19
No. Room NCL SCL CCL RCL BL
14 Administrative Staff Room R R R R -
15 Committee Room R R R R -
16 Display space at Entrance R R R R -
17 Night Watchman’s Room R R R R R
18 Microfilm Reading Room R R R - -
19 Document Reproduction Room R R - - -
20 Audio-visual Room R R R R -
Rooms required for different kind of library buildings (Public Library)

All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
20  Central Library with Reading Room for any college offering Engineering and Technology
degree.( If the institute offers PG programme, the reading room seating requirement would be 25% of total
students (maximum 100)
S. No Type of Institute
Area required
for Library &
Reading Room
Reading Room
(in Sq. m.)
Seating
1. Engineering College offering Degree(If the intake is 400) 400
15%* of total
students (maximum150)
2
Engineering College offering Degree(If the intake is
420)
600
15% of total
3 Polytechnic College offering Diploma 300
15% of total
4 Pharmacy College offering Degree /Diploma 150
15% of total
5 Architecture / Town Planning Institute 150
15% of total
6
Institutes offering Degree/Diploma
programmes in Applied Arts & Crafts,
Hotel Management & Catering
Technology
150
15% of total
7
Institutes offering Programmes in
Management and MCA
100
15% of total

Medical Council of India (MCI)
21  the library of a medical college as per Amendment Notification dated 8th July 2009 of Medical
Council Act, 1956 (102 of 1956).
 There shall be an air-conditioned Central Library (2,400 Sq.m) with seating arrangement for at least
300 students for reading and having good lighting and ventilation and space for stacking and display
of books and journals.
 There shall be minimum one room for 150 students inside and one room for 150 students outside. It
should have not less than 11000 text and reference books.
 In a new medical college the total number of books should be proportionately divided on yearly basis
in five years. The number of journals shall be 100 out of which one-third shall be foreign journals and
subscribed on continuous basis.
 The number of copies of textbooks in each subject of undergraduate teaching shall be ten.
 There shall be provision for
a) Staff reading room for 30 persons; b) Rooms for librarian and other staff;
c) Room for daftaries and book binders; d) Microfilm reading room;
e) Journal room; f) Room for copying facilities;
g) Video and Cassette room (desirable); and
h) Air-conditioned Computer room with Medlar and Internet facility with minimum of 40 nodes.

National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE)
22
 The norms and standards prescribed by the National Council for Teacher Education to the
colleges offering B.Ed. programme are as follows:
 Library Space: There shall be a library-cum-reading room with seating capacity
for at least fifty percent students equipped
 Collection: Minimum 1000 titles and 3000 books including text and reference
books relevant to the course of study, year books, electronic publications (CD-ROMs) and
minimum five journals of education and subscription to five others in related disciplines.
 Technical support staff: Librarian (one)
Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in library and information science (with fifty
five percent marks)
Remuneration; The supporting staff shall be paid as per the UGC/State
Government / Central Government pay scales structure.
 The library shall have photocopying facility and computer with Internet facility
for the use of faculty and students.
 Except in the case of textbooks and reference books, there shall not more than
three multiple copies of each titles.

Indian Nursing Council (INC)
23
 There shall be provision for e-library also.
 there shall be a Departmental library-cum-seminar room (30 sq.m. area) with at least 80-
100 books. However, not more than two copies of any one book shall be counted towards
computation of the total number of books.
 The staff pattern suggested by MCI for the Central Library of a Medical College is as
follows:
1. Librarian with a degree in Library Science - 1
2. Deputy Librarian - 1
3. Documentalist - 1
4. Cataloguer - 1
5. Library Assistants - 4
6. Daftaries - 2
7. Peons - 2

Library Space
24
 According to Mc Donald Ten qualities of Library Space, “It is recognized that good library
space has ten important qualities and that, ideally, this new space should be;
 Functional
 Adaptable
 Accessible
 Varied
 Interactive
 Conducive
 Environmentally suitable
 Safe and secure
 Efficient
 Suitable for information technology

Library Space
25
 According to Mc Donald Ten qualities of Library Space, “It is recognized that good library
space has ten important qualities and that, ideally, this new space should be;
 Functional
 Adaptable
 Accessible
 Varied
 Interactive
 Conducive
 Environmentally suitable
 Safe and secure
 Efficient
 Suitable for information technology

CLASSIFICATION OF LIBRARIES
26
 Public Library ( PL )
a) National Library ( NL ),
b) State Library ( SL ),
c) City Library ( CL ),
d) District Library ( DL )
e) Branch Library ( BL )
 Academic Library ( AL )
a) University Library ( UL ),
b) Departmental Library ( DL )
c) College Library ( CL ), and
d) School Library ( SL )
 Institutional Library ( IL ) ( Other than Academic Library )
a) Library of a Research Laboratory ( RLL ),
b) Industrial Research Library ( IRL ),
c) Library for Professional Institutions ( LPI )

Building struture of Cannemara LIBRARIES
29

School Library:
31  Every school is a teaching learning centre which is incomplete without a library.
 The services of a school library must be available to the entire school community regardless of nationality, gender,
race, religion, caste and creed.
Infrastructure
 From stacks to chairs, tables and step stool, etc. every item should
be selected according to the age and height of its users.
 primary school library, furniture as well as the interior of its building
should be aesthetically attractive and vivid so that it can offer an
energetic and interesting environment to its users.
 Pictures of popular cartoon characters, quotations, etc. can also
be painted on library walls.
 Separate building, fully equipped with proper lighting, heating,
cooling, drinking water facility, adequate space for library staff
with essential proper space for stack area, adequate sitting
arrangements for students
 Improper selection of furniture is adequately depicted in the
following picture:

University Libraries
32  A university is regarded as a ‘community of teachers and students’ engaged in extending the
boundaries of knowledge through research, and seeking truth.
 Radhakrishnan Commission, in its Report on University Education (1948-49), while realising the
importance of libraries in the fulfilment of the objectives, observed that “the library is the heart of all
the university’s work; directly so, as regards its research work, and indirectly as regards its
educational work…”.
 Later, the Kothari Commission in its Report on Education and National Development (1964-66), laid
emphasis on the proper development of university library system.
 Fifth Law of Library Science, ie, the library is a growing organism. The university libraries grow in
terms of information resources, users, manpower, furniture and other equipments.
 university library should be reflected in its geographical location, while constructing the library
building. It will also satisfy the requirements of at least the first four laws of library science as
enunciated by S.R. Ranganathan.
 The Bureau of Indian Standards, in its earlier avatar, had prepared some standards for the design of
library buildings for architectural guidance
 IS : 1553-1960 Code of practice relating to primary elements in the design of library building.
IS: 1172-1957 Code of basic requirements for water supply, drainage and sanitation.

University Libraries
33  Furniture and Equipments
 The following items of furniture and equipments are required in a university library:
a. Book racks
b. Catalogue cabinets
c. Reading tables and chairs
d. Circulation counter furniture and other counters
e. Display racks
f. Tables and chairs for technical staff
g. Office tables and chairs
h. Computer tables and chairs
i. Racks for display and storage of periodicals
j. Newspaper stands
k. Book trolley, and so on
 Equipments
a. Computers systems, printers, and communication links b. Telephones
c. Fax machine d. Photocopying machines
e. Telex machine f. Microform readers
g. CD ROM readers h. Multimedia equipments
i. Fumigation chamber j. Fire extinguishers
 More items of furniture and equipments can be added to this basic list at any time as and
when required.

Public Libraries
34  A public library is a vital community space providing a safe and comfortable place for general public
to access and use information, as well as to meet with others.
 Libraries provide space for users not only to read and study, but also to satisfy the information
requirements of all categories of user groups.
 the public library requires a well-designed building located at an appropriate site, proper lighting,
suitable interiors, furniture and fittings and a suitable study environme
 PHYSICAL RESOURCES
a) Building b) Lighting c) Furniture d) Interior decoration e) Equipment
 Besides being easily accessible, they should be located close to other essential activities of the
particular locality.
 Planning a Library Building
Size of the library
Design features
Designated spaces
Accessible shelving space
Signage posting
The ambience of the library
Space for electronic and audio-visual equipment
Safety

Public Libraries
35  the Public Library Service: IFLA/UNESCO Guidelines for Development (2001) provides basic
principles and policies to be followed for a successful public library system in a country.
 Rural Libraries, in India
Space - 1000 sq. ft.
Number of books - 6000
Periodicals and newspapers - 10
Reading seats – 25
Internet workstations - 5
Urban Library
The size of an urban library in a municipal town or district headquarter should depend upon the size
of the population.
Space - 5000 sq.ft.
Number of books - 10,000
Periodicals and newspapers - 50
Reading seats - 50
Internet access points- 10

Library Services for Differently Abled
36  Although physical disabilities are carried in nature, the most commonly observed disabilities relate to
speech, hearing, vision and movement. The following facilities should be available for differently
abled groups:-
.Provision of books in Braille.
· Provision of services of Library staff to read out to visually - challenged readers;
· Audio-recordings on cassettes to be made available;
· Easy entry to the library by constructing ramps;
· Construction of special toilets;
· Provision of special space in the reading room where the reader on a wheelchair can read
and work in
a comfortable environment;
· Easy access to general readers reading room and reference collection.
· Easy access to halls/auditorium for cultural activities;

Standards for Library Buildings
37
 Ranganathan was the protagonist in the propagation of standards in the field of
librarianship and library science in India. Indian Standards Institution appointed him
the Chairman of its Documentation Sectional Committee.
 he documentation sectional committee accorded priority to the areas of library buildings, furniture
and fittings. The reasons for this kind of priority were many.
 A study of standards of other countries reveals that India is perhaps the only
country where national standards have been formulated and published on the library
buildings furniture etc. nobody has taken keen interest in adopting these standards seriously.
 Ranganathan called upon practitioners in all areas to apply collective thoughts
to examine the provisions in the Indian standards already published on library
housing. Every one should feel duty bound to help ISI to revise the standards to the
necessary extent.
 the larger interests personal prejudices should be overcome and got an agreed architectural tradition
of our country without violence to our getting the full benefits of simplified standard practices whose
value is now universally recognized

38
 Standards from Abroad Harvard-Willians has enunciated some basic standards for university
libraries
 The University library buildings at present are planned for a minimum life of 10 years from the date
of opening but Harvard-Willans suggested that these buildings should preferably be planned for upto
25 and must normally be capable of extension.
 Secondly library buildings should be planned with a minimum of pillars and partition walls and a
minimum floor loading of 125 Ibs per square foot or 600 kg per square meter.
 Prescribed standard floor loading in United States and United Kingdom is 150 Ibs per sq. ft. or 750
kg per square meter
 Thirdly for each reader place minimum 25 sq. ft. or two to three square meters should be allowed.
 For graduate readers 30 sq. ft. or 2.8 sq. meters, for professors 40 sq. ft. or 3.7 sq. meter should be
allowed
 Fourthly, stack areas should be able to accommodate 160 v per square meter or 10,000 v per 60
sq. meter.
 All these standards assume shelving in bays of 7'-6'' 3'-long 8'' wide (or 2.3m 1m 0.20m). An
allowance of 120 sq. ft. or 11 squaremeter per member of library staff should be made

39
 Standards for Reading Area All of these standards have been approved by the University Grants
Commission.
 Reading area the Indian standards prescribes that the average area per reader in the reading
room should be 2.33 sq. meter minimum.
 The Canadian standards recommends 25 sq. ft. (2.3 square meter) per undergraduate reader
(reading table accommodation) 35 sq. ft. (3.3 square meter) per graduate reader and 75 sq. ft. (7.0
square meter) per faculty reader (accommodation in individual carrels).
 France, the standard of 1.5 sq. meter per student remains the average standard for university library
buildings
 Australian University Libraries, states that the overall provision per reader in general reading area as
20 sq. ft. (2 sq. meter)
 University Grants Committee of the United Kingdom, recommended that the total number of reader
and study place throughout the university should not normally exceed:
One seat for every three Arts under-graduate students.
One seat for every five Science under-graduate students.
One seat for each Arts postgraduate student
One seat for every three Science postgraduate students.

40
 Standards for Book Space French standards stacks is 60 square meter per 10,000 volumes.
British standards suggest some 5.83 square meter per 1000 volumes over all.
 Indian standards prescribes 150 volumes per sq. meter, while each unit book rack 2m long
may be assumed to house 700-750 volumes.
i) Librarian and Deputy Librarian 30 square meters
ii)
Classifier, Cataloguer, Accession Librarian and Maintenance
Librarian
9 square meter per person
iii) Secretary to the Librarian 9 square meter
iv) Visitor's room 15 square meter
v)
Administrative and professional staff not at service points and
other than those mentioned in (ii)
5 square meter per person
vi) Group discussion room 2 square meter per person
vii) Conference room 2 square meter per person
viii) Seminar room 2 square meter per person
ix) Committee room 2 square meter per person
x) Cubicals 7 square meter per person
Standards for Staff Areas ( Indian Standard 1553-1976 )

41  While the British Standards suggest the following:
i) Librarian 22 square meter
ii) Deputy Librarian 13.5 square meter
iii) Assistant Librarian 9 square meter
iv) Secretary/Typist 9 or 7 square meter if shared
v) Cataloguers 9 square meter each

VARIOUS NATIONAL STANDARDS ON READING
AREA,42  BOOK SPACE AND STAFF AREA.
Country Reading Area Book Space Staff Area
Indian Standards
Institution
2.33 per
Reader
150 volumes/m sq. Librarian and Dy.
Librarian – 30m.sq .
Asstt. Librarian and
Secretary to Librarian-
9 m.sq.
University Grants
Committee
(UK)
2.3m.sq. per seat Open/Access
Books 213 vols/m.sq.
Bound journals 106 m.sq.
Closed Access
Books 248 vols/m.sq
Bound journals
122 vols/ m.sq.
Librarian-22m.sq.
Dy. Librarian 13.5m.sq.
Asstt. Librarian and
secretary to Librarian
9 m.sq.
American
Library
Association
Undergraduate
25 sq. ft.
Graduate 30 sq.
ft Teacher 40
sq. ft.
160 vols/ sq. 120 sq. ft. (11.3 m.sq)
per person
It is evident from the above data that 2 to 2.3 square meter should be the minimum reading area
per reader.

Conclusion
Lastly, it is suggested that while planning and designing the new library
buildings or extending the existing ones, it should be the prime endeavour of the
university librarians that the standards formulated by the Indian standards Institution
be implemented with greater best. It is an important principle in standardisation that
the standards will develop only in the hands of its users
The University Grants Commission and the library associations like
ILA, IASLIC etc. should make vigorous efforts to see that the future
library buildings be designed and constructed keeping in view the Indian standards
strictly since the Indian standards are in the metres, the librarians should ask the
architects to prepare the blue prints in metric system only.
library building plays an important role in providing efficient and effective library
services. A separate and well planned library is important for organizing the library on
modern lines…
43

References
44
1) Anders C. Dahlgren, Eigenbrodt, O., Latimer, K., & Romero, S. (2009). Key Issues in Building Design: How to get started in
planning a project. IFLA Journal Official Journal of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions, 1–10.
2) Equipment, C.-, They, A., The, C., & The, D. (n.d.). Furniture and Equipment : Sizes , Spacing , and Arrangement.
3) Jayalakshmi, C. (2018). Adoptive Natured Green Library Based on Fecility Management and Training, (1), 144–148.
4) Paper, C., & Veterinary, T. N. (2015). Norms and Standards for Library prescribed by Regulatory Bodies of Professional
Education in India : A Study REGULATORY BODIES OF PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION IN INDIA :, (October 2014).
5) Pockets, A., & Headband, F. (1965). Standards for Library, 177–188.
6) Singh, Gurudev. (2015). Academic library system and services. New Delhi : ESS ESS
7) Standards, L. (2018). Indian Standards Institute which is now known as Bureau of Indian Standards, appointed Dr. S. R.
Ranganathan as the Chairman of its first Documentation Sectional Committee, which fixed (accorded) priority to the areas of, 1–
6.
8) Ythers, F. N. (1974). Standards for library service: an international survey.

THANK YOU ALL
FOR YOUR
PATIENCE!
45

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