1. The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available at
www.emeraldinsight.com/0888-045X.htm
BUDGETING FOR LIBRARIES Save money
during library
Easy ways to save money during construction
and after library construction
35
Kirstin Steele
Daniel Library, The Citadel, Charleston, South Carolina, USA Accepted January 2011
Abstract
Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to offer advice, in the interest of preventing expensive
mistakes, about certain aspects of library building projects.
Design/methodology/approach – The paper presents a list of avoidable errors made during real
library construction or renovation projects.
Findings – The paper finds that a little common sense is a good thing to use in tandem with grand
designs.
Practical implications – Hopefully, the practical implications of the paper will be cost savings for
libraries and their parent organizations. Librarians, project managers, or architects might enjoy
compiling photographs of similar mistakes and comparing them with sensible alternatives.
Originality/value – The paper presents a useful list for project managers.
Keywords Libraries, Library buildings, Construction works, Project management
Paper type Viewpoint
The recently completed renovation at The Citadel’s Daniel Library inspired me to look
at what library practitioners might consider avoidable costs or false economies during
construction projects. By “library practitioner” I mean someone who works in a library.
Some costs might appear after the project is complete; that is, the costs might be
maintenance-related and not part of the cost of the design itself. Some costs might even
be unpredictable. You might not be in a position to offer suggestions or advice, or to
make decisions. Nevertheless, I offer the following points to consider when planning a
library building project. I think the advice would apply equally to academic, public,
school, or special libraries.
Disclaimer: not all of the items in this column come from my library, but all of them
came from real projects.
I would skip these items:
.
White tiles in public restrooms. While not necessarily more expensive than other
colors, white will cost more in maintenance. If you can’t afford to maintain it
properly (e.g. 12 times per day), it will cost you in patron and staff disgust. Yes,
white is bright and that’s great in a room with no windows. But you can
accomplish bright with lighting on ceilings, stalls, and walls, and still be able to
The Bottom Line: Managing Library
use hair- or dirt-colored tile on the floors. Finances
Vol. 24 No. 1, 2011
.
Expensive chandeliers. You can spend $20,000 or $2,000 for a centerpiece-worthy pp. 35-37
fixture. You can opt for dozens of specialized bulbs with short burn times or a q Emerald Group Publishing Limited
0888-045X
few easy-to-procure bulbs. Your decision might partially depend on your ability DOI 10.1108/08880451111142024

2. BL to access ladders and/or maintenance staff. There is also the cobweb and
24,1 dust-catcher issue: try to imagine how any fixtures you choose will look after six
months of no maintenance. If a less expensive chandelier gets dusty, at least
you’ll have the consolation, perhaps, of having spent the money on book trucks
or computers or something more useful.
. Non-standard desk and counter heights. If you specify these, remember to budget
36 for the purchase of non-standard height chairs.
.
Service desks with no locking storage and non-adjustable shelving might require
the purchase of new computer hardware to fit the space.
.
Heavy interior doors. I generally associate a heavy door with quality. However,
consider whether the elderly visitor will be impressed with the quality as she
struggles to enter the restroom. From a more selfish perspective, I am tired of
hearing people remark on how difficult it is to open the door to my office.
.
Individual locks for every door. I suspect many libraries employ the use of a
master key, or perhaps a master key and a super-duper grand master key. Our
library did. And we hope to again someday soon. It probably would have been
less expensive to specify the correct locks rather than replace them afterwards.
. Soap and towel dispensers. Wait, don’t skip these altogether. Instead, try to place
them near the sink in each restroom. When installed across the room from the
sink, a mess often results. Also, just a head-scratcher for me: why would someone
key a towel dispenser? If women frequent your library, you might consider
including a dispenser of feminine products, although its maintenance might
outweigh the convenience.
.
Fountains inside. This seems like a no-brainer . . . high humidity could lead to
mold, which is bad for books and people. Perhaps in the desert this might work,
but even there I imagine the cleaning and “attractive nuisance” aspects of a
fountain would be tedious and expensive.
.
Oversized atrium. Arguably not an economical use of limited space. Likewise,
stylish features such as glass-topped coffee tables, which will need replacing
sooner than library budget practitioners would like.
.
Linoleum. I don’t have a problem with it inherently, and the price is definitely
attractive. But if you can barely afford regular vacuuming and dusting, the
manpower and time required to strip and wax a heavily used floor qualifies as a
luxury. I had no idea that linoleum required stripping and waxing upon
installation as well, which definitely takes the “shortened” out of “shortened
timetable”. It is difficult to move things around when the floors are off-limits.
.
Non-standard building materials. Exotic hardwoods, unsealable stone, and
expensive non-green (toxic) carpeting and upholstery are just asking for
criticism, particularly in buildings which might be perceived as public. Many
public library projects are funded by private donations, but critics will not know
or remember that.
. Doors, hallways, or ductwork to nowhere. This will only get your building on
some “Why did they do this?” television show 50 years from now. I must assume

3. that mistakes like this happen without someone deciding about them, but if you Save money
do end up with a doorway to nowhere, wouldn’t it be cheaper to cover it with during library
plywood and sheetrock rather than an actual door?
construction
.
Cheap insulation might look good on the budget sheet, but count on losing money
in the long run.
I admit to ongoing frustration about some of the more preventable oversights, but all I 37
can do is learn to live with them or work around them.
Readers have undoubtedly discovered other ways to save (or waste) money during
building projects, but I hope a few of the listed items will save you funds, time, and
exasperation.
Corresponding author
Kirstin Steele can be contacted at: kirstin.steele@citadel.edu
To purchase reprints of this article please e-mail: reprints@emeraldinsight.com
Or visit our web site for further details: www.emeraldinsight.com/reprints