Champagne Dreams on a Minimal Budget: Cost Conscious Library Space Designs LLAMA BES ALA Annual 2009 (Chicago) July 11, 2009

1. Great Libraries for Norfolk
Building New, Modernizing Old,
Strengthening All
Norman Maas
Library Director, Norfolk Public Library
1155 Pineridge Road, Norfolk VA 23502
(757) 664-7339; (757) 647-3035
norman.maas@norfolk.gov

3. The 1998 Study Suggested
1. Constructing four Anchor Branch Libraries, each
serving a quadrant of the city
2. Renovating and Repairing up to seven existing
neighborhood libraries
3. Replacing the Kirn Main Library
4. Improving Library material funding
5. Improving Library automation funding
6. Strengthening Library staffing levels
7. Strengthening overall Library maintenance

4. www.npl.lib.va.us
N or f ol k Pu bl i c Li brar y
2006 Creating a City of Readers
2011 St rat egi c Di rect i ons

5. Strategic Directions
2006-2011
Strategic Direction 1
Build the collection of books and other materials to better
meet customers’ needs.
Strategic Direction 2
Improve current facilities and develop plans for new building
facilities to better accommodate our customers.
Strategic Direction 3
Enhance library staff ’s ability to better serve our customers.

6. Strategic Direction 4
Use technology and computer resources to improve library
services to the public.
Strategic Direction 5
Strengthen early childhood literacy and parent education through
improved services available to children, families, and caregivers.
Strategic Direction 6
Develop the After-School Initiative to provide constructive after-
school activity for school-aged children and teenagers.
Strategic Direction 7
Enhance local history and genealogy resources.

7. Strategic Direction 8
Address the need for information related to community services,
agencies, and organizations.
Strategic Direction 9
Provide career information in support of people who are trying to
find employment.
Strategic Direction 10
Increase awareness of library services and activities and highlight
the value of the library to the community.
Strategic Direction 11
Increase external support for quality library service.

8. What Have We Done?

9. What Have We Done?
Updated branch libraries & the interiors
Enhanced public computer facilities at all NPL
branches
Renovated Park Place Branch Library
KidZones
Built Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library
Moved to the temporary Norfolk Main Library

10. Updated Branch Libraries
All NPL branch libraries have been updated
with new paint and carpet.
Approximately 30 new computers and computer
stations added to every branch location.
Weeded book collections.
Installed KidZones in every location.

11. Updated Branch Libraries
Barron F. Black Branch Library
BEFORE

12. Updated Branch Libraries cont…
Barron F. Black Branch Library
AFTER

13. Updated Branch Libraries cont…
Janaf Branch Library
BEFORE

14. Updated Branch Libraries cont…
Janaf Branch Library
AFTER

15. Enhanced Computer Facilities at
all NPL locations
The new Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library
houses 90 total computers
The interim Norfolk Main Library houses nearly 60
computers
All branch libraries have gone from having roughly 5-
10 public access computers to now having nearly 30
computers with a 2 hour time limit.
This has doubled computer usage and decreased the wait
time for patrons

16. Updated Computer Technology Centers
Park Place Branch
Library

17. Computers cont…
Janaf Branch Library

18. Computers cont…
Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library

19. Computers cont…
Jordan-Newby Branch Library

20. New Computer Table & Chairs
Computer Table Computer Chair
Hermon Miller, P/N PBLIC.DP339 Hermon Miller, P/N WC420N

21. KidZones
NPL installed KidZones in every library location.
Each library locations KidZone has a different theme (ex: Jungle,
Ocean, Cars & Trucks)
KidZones are interactive environments where parents can
engage in early literacy activities and connect with their
children through play.
Play fosters development in the social, emotional, intellectual,
and physical aspects of a child’s life; thus helping a child to get
ready to read.
KidZones include infant toys, activity tables, manipulative
toys, creative play stations, children’s books, and early literacy
information for parents.

22. KidZones cont…
Barron F. Black Branch
Library KidZone

23. KidZones cont…
Blyden Branch Library
KidZone

24. KidZones cont…
Jordan-Newby Branch
Library KidZone

25. KidZones cont…
Lafayette Branch
Library KidZone

26. KidZones cont…
Norfolk Main
Library KidZone

27. Reading Time @ Van Wyck Branch Library Storytime @ Park Place Branch Library
Social Time @ Blyden Branch Library

28. Design Team for KidZones
NPL Director – Norman Maas, (757) 664-7339; norman.maas@norfolk.gov
NPL Children’s Coordinator – Terri Raymond; (757) 664-7328 ext. 347;
terri.raymond@norfolk.gov
NPL Family Place Librarian – Terry Wanser; (757) 664-7328 ext. 349;
teresa.wanser@norfolk.gov
NPL Branch Managers
NPL Youth Associates

29. Budget for Branch
Renovations (Per branch)
30 Computer Tables - $607 each ($18,205)
30 Computer Chairs - $180 each ($5,400)
30 New Computers - $1500 each ($45,000)
Electrical for computers - $15,000
New Paint & Carpet for each branch – ($35,000)
KidZone for each branch – ($5,000)
Three KidZones were sponsored by The Rotary Club of
Norfolk
TOTAL COST for each branch = $123,605

30. Planning & Design Team
for Branch Renovations
NPL Director – Norman Maas; (757) 664-7339;
norman.maas@norfolk.gov
NPL Automation Coordinator – Randy Miller; (757) 664-7328 ext. 311
randy.miller@norfolk.gov
NPL Children’s Coordinator – Terri Raymond; (757) 664-7328 ext.347;
terri.raymond@norfolk.gov
NPL Family Place Librarian – Terry Wanser (757) 664-7328 ext. 349;
teresa.wanser@norfolk.gov

31. Planning & Design Team
for Branch Renovations
NPL Branch Managers
NPL Branch Youth Associates
NPL Branch Staff
City of Norfolk Facilities Maintenance – Joe Francis
City of Norfolk Facilities Maintenance – Joe Doudera
City of Norfolk Public Works – Sam Russo
Interior Design – W. Ray Jennings Interior Design; (757) 627-7296; wrjid@verizon.net

32. Park Place Branch Library
Renovations
We renovated Park Place Branch Library by:
Converting 1,100 square feet of existing space in the
Park Place Multi Service Center for Park Place
Branch Library use.
Adding 30 new computers.
Installing a new KidZone.
Adding new furniture, paint, carpet, and lighting.

33. Park Place Branch Library
Renovations cont…
The changes to the branch have increased the
foot traffic of not only the library but also of the
Park Place Multiservice Center.
In July 2008, Park Place more than doubled its
circulation from last July, and computer usage
was 3 times higher than last July.

34. Park Place Branch Library
BEFORE
Book Collections

35. Park Place Branch Library
AFTER
Book Collections

36. Park Place Branch Library
BEFORE
Seating Area

37. Park Place Branch Library
AFTER
Seating Area

38. Park Place Branch Library
BEFORE
Customer Service Desk and Handout Display

39. Park Place Branch Library
AFTER
Customer Service Desk and Handout Display

40. Park Place Branch Library
AFTER
Customer Service Desk and Handout Display

41. Park Place Branch Library
BEFORE
KidZone

42. Park Place Branch Library
AFTER
KidZone

43. Park Place Branch Library
AFTER
KidZone

44. Park Place Branch Library
Additional Space: Computer Area

45. Park Place Branch Library
Additional Space: Teen Zone

46. Budget For Park Place
Renovations
The Park Place Library expansion project was
awarded a $99,000 grant from The Norfolk
Foundation.
The City of Norfolk’s $200,000 contribution to
the project was used for construction and
renovations costs.
Total Renovation Costs: $300,000

47. Planning, Design and Implementation Team
For Park Place Branch Library Renovations
Norfolk Public Library Director – Norman Maas; (757) 664-7339; norman.maas@norfolk.gov
Norfolk Public Library Automation – Randy Miller; (757) 664-7328; ext. 311
randy.miller@norfolk.gov
Park Place Branch Library Manager – LeoNard Thompson; (757) 664-7330;
leonard.thompson@norfolk.gov
Park Place Branch Library Staff
City of Norfolk Public Works – John Facenda
Ray Jennings Interior Design – Ray Jennings; (757) 627-7296; wrjid@verizon.net

48. Opening the Mary D. Pretlow
Anchor Branch Library

50. Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch Library
March 2008

52. Photograph taken by Steve Budman

53. Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch
Library
Opened March 13, 2008
Since opening, the Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch
has:
Circulated over 30,000 books a month
34,000 people visit the library each month
Over 7,000 people have registered for new library cards
Over 50% of Pretlow’s public access computers are used
every hour

54. The 32,960 square foot Anchor
Branch features:
A great new book collection
A 2,000 square foot TeenZone
A 45-seat adult reading area
10,000 square foot Children’s Library &
KidZone
A state-of-the-art computer center bringing the
total to 90+ computers in the entire building

55. Features cont…
3 group study rooms
A public program and community meeting area
featuring 120 seats
A vending area with table and chairs
Expanded operating hours to include more
nights and Sundays
Ocean View Station Museum office and displays

56. Children’s Library & KidZone
Children’s Book Collection

57. Playscape
(For babies 0-3)

58. Creative Cove
Corner For Toddlers
(ages 3-6)

59. Play Area in KidZone
Children’s Information
Desk

60. Children’s Computer Area

61. Teen Zone

62. Teen Zone Computer
Area

63. Teen Zone

64. Teen Zone Lounge Area

65. Meeting Spaces
Conference Room (2nd Floor)

66. Group Study Rooms

67. Meeting Room 1
Meeting Room 2

68. Meeting Rooms 1 & 2 Combined

69. Computer Technology Center

70. Book Collection

71. Adult Reading Area

72. Adult Reading Area

73. Reading/Study Area

74. Ocean View Station Museum

75. Grand Opening Day at
Mary D. Pretlow Anchor Branch
Library

76. Design Team for Mary D. Pretlow
Anchor Branch Library
NPL Director – Norman Maas; (757) 664-7339; norman.maas@norfolk.gov
NPL Assistant Director – Sonal Rastogi; (757) 664-7328 ext. 309; sonal.rastogi@norfolk.gov
NPL Automation – Randy Miller; (757) 664-7328 ext. 311; randy.miller@norfolk.gov
NPL Collection Development Coordinator – Sean Bilby; (757) 664-7328 ext.352;
sean.bilby@norfolk.gov
NPL Childrens Coordinator – Terri Raymond; (757) 664-7328 ext. 347;
terri.raymond@norfolk.gov
NPL Family Place Librarian – Terry Wanser; (757) 664-7328 ext. 349;
teresa.wanser@norfolk.gov
Pretlow Anchor Branch Library Manager – Cynthia Seay; (757) 441-1750 ext. 344;
cynthia.seay@norfolk.gov
Pretlow Anchor Branch Library Assistant Manager – Cathy Thomann; (757) 441-1750 ext.
343; cathy.thomann@norfolk.gov
Additional Planning Committee Members: Mickey-Ann Garcia, Yvonne Bradley and Olivia
Osei-Sarfo

77. Design Team for Mary D. Pretlow
Anchor Branch Library cont…
Contractor
Sun Bay Contracting Inc. Interior Design
George Mosley & Kurt Voigtsberger W. Ray Jennings Interior Design
4865 Haygood Road Ray Jennings 1723
Virginia Beach, VA 23455 Pope Avenue Norfolk, VA
(757) 557-0100 23509 (757) 627-
www.sunbaycontracting.com 7296 wrjid@verizon.net
Lead Architect City of Norfolk Public Works
The Design Collaborative John Keifer (Director)
Edward Lazaron Sam Russo
230 N. Lynnhaven Road Sid Kitterman
Chris Smith
Virginia Beach, VA 23452-6917 (757)
340-4272
elazaron@designcollaborative.cc

78. The Future of Norfolk’s
Main Library

79. Kirn Memorial Main Library
Kirn Memorial Main Library was in operation for close to 50
years.
This summer, the building will be taken down in order to build a
transit station for the new Light Rail Transit coming to Norfolk.

80. Main Library Timeline
October 2007: City of Norfolk negotiates purchase of building, announces
plans to partially renovate it for use as an interim main library
October 2008: Mayor Paul Fraim announces that Frank Batten, Sr., long-time
chairman of Landmark Communications, has committed a $20 million
contribution to the construction of a new main library complex in downtown
Norfolk
October 2008: Norfolk Public Library Administrative Offices and Service
Center opens at 1155 Pineridge Road, with 30,000 square feet that includes
12,000 square feet of office space and an 18,000 square foot warehouse
January 2, 2009: Norfolk Main Library at 235 East Plume Street is partially
opened for public use
March 11, 2009: Norfolk Main Library is fully opened to the public

81. Norfolk Main Library

82. Book Collection

83. Customer Service Desk

84. Computer Technology Center

85. Norfolk Main Library KidZone

86. Periodicals and Reading Area

87. Periodicals and Reading Area

88. Sargeant Memorial Room ~ Historical &
Genealogical Collection

89. The Next Phase-
Col. Samuel L. Slover Main Library
Frank Batten Sr., long-time chairman of Landmark
Communications, committed a $20 million contribution to the
construction of the new main library.
The new main library complex will be named in honor of
Batten’s uncle, Colonel Samuel L. Slover, founder of Landmark
Communications. The library will be called the Col. Samuel
Slover Main Library
The Col. Slover Main Library will be designed in the next 18-24
months with a two year construction period to follow. A venture
the City of Norfolk and Norfolk Public Library are ecstatic to
embark upon.

90. Col. Samuel Slover Main Library cont…
The City will erect a 60,000 sq. ft. building adjacent to the
interim Norfolk Main Library (48,000 sq. ft.), and connecting the
2 buildings with a recessed glass atrium and courtyard. This will
create the Slover Main Library.
The Slover Main Library will total 108,000 square feet. By
combining the square footage of the main library with the
Administrative Offices & Service Center (30,000 sq. ft.), the total
space increases to 138,000 square feet. This compares well to the
77,000 square feet of space that was in the former Kirn
Memorial Library.

92. Where Do We Go From Here?
Continue to strengthen our ongoing relationship with customers
Continue to listen to the needs of our customers and staff
Continue to renovate branch libraries
Complete design and construction of a new Main Library
Begin planning for a South Anchor Branch Library
Increase staff development opportunities
Continue to strengthen the Library’s website and our use of
computer technology tools
Upgrade our Bookmobile
Further develop the use of the Norfolk Public Library
Administrative Offices & Service Center