Project:
WAC Bennett Library - Main Floor Renewal
1. Name of branch:
4. Library Director:
7. Fax:
W.A.C. Bennett Library
Gwen Bird
778-782-3023
2. Library Name:
5. Contact Person for submission:
8. Email:
Simon Fraser
University Library
Natalie Gick
ngick@sfu.ca
6. Telephone:
9. Cost/Budget:
778-782-3266
$2.5 million
3. Address:
8888 University Drive
Burnaby BC V5A 1S6
British Columbia Library Association - Merit Awards - Category B: Building Project - 1.
1.
Describe the scope of the building project, and its major goals and objectives.
The WAC Bennett Library opened in 1965 as part of the original SFU campus complex on top of
Burnaby Mountain. This project was the most significant renovation to the seven-story building
in the last 17 years. A substantial portion of the Library’s main floor was renovated, approximately 17,000 sq ft.
Goals of the renovation:
•
Create a more welcoming and engaging entry façade for the Library, and enliven the
Convocation Mall outside the Library, by enhancing the relationship between the two
through improved visibility and flow
•
Improve user experience and highlight high demand services by Integrating check-out,
reference, and reserves into a single service location
•
Increase student seating through the creation of a new lounge and reading area; ensure
student requirements for comfortable seats, tables to work on, and power for devices are
met
•
Facilitate teaching and programming with a new Student Learning Commons and
Library classroom/events room
•
Expand the Student Learning Commons consultation area to meet student demand
•
Increase visibility of Special Collections materials by locating new exhibition cabinets in a
high traffic area
•
Improve comfort for students and staff by upgrading climate control at the entrance
•
Promote self-service, enhance convenience for faculty and students, and reduce
repetitive transactions for staff by adding an automated book return at the entrance and
intuitively located self-checkouts inside the Library
•
Maintain full library operations during the renovation, including 24/7 openings for exam
periods
•
Honour the architecture of one of the original buildings on campus and a historically
significant example of the Brutalist style, designed by Arthur Erickson and Geoffrey
Massey, with Robert F. Harrison as architect
Before: View Upon Entry
British Columbia Library Association - Merit Awards - Category B: Building Project - 2
2.
Describe the involvement of library staff, board members, the community, or other
official bodies in planning and design of the project.
The project was initiated in response to student demand for improvements to the Library.
Student and Library User Surveys for the past several years had consistently identified the need
for improvements to library facilities and comfort:
•
Bennett Library was the fourth-highest student priority for building improvements at SFU,
requiring more more/improved carrels, seating, study spaces and electrical outlets
•
SFU Library fell most below user expectations in the Library as Place category, specifically
by not providing a comfortable and inviting location that inspires study and learning
Library staff were involved at every stage of the project:
•
A Task Group with membership representing all service points made the initial
recommendations for improvement
•
Staff were consulted throughout the concept planning and design development stages,
and during the renovation whenever decisions which would impact them were required
Support for the project came from the Vice-President Research, the University Priorities Fund and
Library endowments.
University Facilities championed the proposed project as meritorious, and once it was approved
managed the project.
NEW : View Upon Entry
British Columbia Library Association - Merit Awards - Category B: Building Project - 3
3. Comment on ways in which the project:
a)
made maximum and effective use of the building site
The renovation capitalized on the Library’s central campus location by improving visibility and
flow to the highly trafficked Convocation Mall. Where once shelves of laptops blocked the view,
full-height windows welcome students in.
b)
made efficient use of internal space
By right-sizing Reserves, combining the Reference, Checkout and Reserves Desk into one, and
eliminating the former Sorting Room, we were able to repurpose space to create a new
classroom/programming room, expand consulting space, and maximize student study space.
c)
provided flexibility for future needs
Space is delineated using dividers and glass walls, which can be removed or moved in the future
without damaging the building interior. Wireless is available throughout, with standard and USB
power at every seat. Where possible furniture was chosen over purpose-built elements, to allow
for ease of relocation.
d) showed creativity and innovation
The use of a circular Service and Reserves area in the centre of the floor facilitated flow and
complemented the very rectilinear architecture. Self-serve and service points were re-located to
facilitate unmediated discovery and reduce confusion, for example the Service desk, book return,
and self-checks. Glass walls contribute passive climate control at the entrance. Areas are dual or
triple-purpose: the consulting/study area and the programming/class/study room.
NEW Learning and Events Room
EXPANDED Learning CommonS Consultation
British Columbia Library Association - Merit Awards - Category B: Building Project - 4
4.
Evaluate how well initial goals and objectives were met.
Bright, inviting and comfortable – the WAC Bennett Library Main Floor Renewal is turning
out just as planned. All of the project goals have been met, and some exceeded.
•
New storefront windows open the Library up to the Convocation Mall to a
degree that exceeded all expectations, welcoming students and satisfying the
University’s desire for a livelier Mall
•
An integrated hub combining information and checkout services with reserves
within a dramatic circular space at the centre of the main floor has eliminated
user confusion formerly caused my multiple and hidden service points
•
New student seats have exceeded our target of 100; overall the project added
220, some as consequential renovations on other floors, increasing student
seating in the building by over 17%
•
Students are delighted by the new lounges with comfortable seating, good
sized tables and power at every seat
•
The new Learning and Events room is a success and is being used daily by the
Student Learning Commons for teaching, after hours as study space, and for
public events such as the recent Freedom to Read Week reading by Raziel Reid
•
The expanded and enhanced Student Learning Commons consultation area is
fully utilized during consultation times, and doubles as a popular study space in
the evening
•
State of the art museum cabinets allow Special Collections to display rare
materials safely and securely in a highly visible location.
•
Improved climate control via heat curtains and double-glazed windows mean
staff and students are more comfortable, and allows areas near the entrance to
be used effectively
•
The automated book return and additional self-checks save both user and staff
time, and use of both is increasing steadily
•
The Library remained fully operational throughout the renovation, thanks to
careful staging, and opened 24/7 during exams
•
New areas are delineated by dividers or glass walls, maintaining the long vistas
and allowing the original heritage interior to shine
British Columbia Library Association - Merit Awards - Category B: Building Project - 5
5.
Document any community response to the project.
Students have responded enthusiastically to the renovations on Twitter:
•
Outlets, cozy chairs, and collaborative spaces as far as the eye can see! Loving the reno
progress at @sfu_library. (Tweet Mar 13 2014)
•
Ecstatic about the newly powered work stations @ sfu library with 4USB slots and 2 outlets
PER work stn. (Tweet Mar 20 2014)
•
Love the @sfu_library new check-in system. Convenient and fancy! (Tweet Jan 02 2014)
In addition, we interviewed students and asked why they had chosen to study in the newly
renovated space:
•
First reason again was its “really” comfortable furniture compared to other places
on-campus. Users specifically liked the chairs and movable tables.
•
Second was power: The comfortable seating was made perfect by power outlets; having
plugs everywhere was “definitely a big bonus” and they kept mentioning outlets as an
advantage.
•
According to users, the space has a “wonderful ambiance” and a “community vibe” to it. It
has certain elements which make it feel like home including the fireplace, sofas and an
open plan, and at the same time it has a serious vibe as one wants “to sit here and get work
done”.
•
Users made mention of the fact that the open plan makes it easier to see people around
working (something they don’t have at home) and “even though you aren't studying with
other people, just seeing other people studying makes you focus more on what you're
supposed to do” (peer pressure to study ).
•
Apart from being new, modern, warm, relaxing, bright, colorful, cheerful and welcoming
(keywords used by to describe the space), they liked the fact that the Lounge is accessible –
conveniently located next to the entrance and close to other amenities such as the front
desk, printers, washrooms, the bus stop, Starbucks, and West Mall Centre.
•
Students reported more studying and better learning and see these as one of the ways
study spaces like the lounge can affect their university experience: they get more work
done and feel good about themselves!
NEW Study Area
NEW Student Lounge
British Columbia Library Association - Merit Awards - Category B: Building Project - 6
7.
SFU News included an article on the renovation
April 20,2014:
Home / News /
W.A.C. Bennett Library party
celebrates ‘new front door’
SFU Library has completed an extensive renovation of the main (third) floor of its Burnaby
campus W.A.C. Bennett Library — and library staff
are inviting the university community to help
them celebrate on Wednesday, May 7, from 3-5
p.m.
The Open Spaces! Bright Ideas! grand opening
will feature an official welcome, cake, ribboncutting ceremony and opportunities to the
explore the revitalized space, try out new services,
view exhibits and lounge on the cozy seating.
Students can also enter to win an iPad Mini and
other prizes by completing entertaining activities.
For more details, visit http://at.sfu.ca/LpiFiz.
The new features on the main floor include an
integrated hub combining information and
checkout services with reserves within a dramatic
circular space at the centre of the main floor. The
library entrance was also renovated to provide
better climate control and integration with
Convocation Mall, and space for an automated
book return. The revitalized space also encompasses a new Learning and Events room, student
lounge, and enhanced Student Learning Commons consultation space.
trative services who managed the project,
which was completed on time and on
budget.
“This is essentially our new front door and we
wanted the space to be as bright, inviting and
comfortable as possible, filled with innovative
places to conduct research and study in as
well as areas for exchange, collaboration and
quiet contemplation.
“It’s been completely revitalized to accommodate the contemporary use of library collections for teaching and research, the rapid
growth in collaborative studies, SFU’s primary
focus on student, research and community
engagement, and the central role of digital
technology in all university activities.”
The brightly lit entrance both draws people in
and enlivens the outside Convocation Mall,
says Gick. “Spacious study lounges with
modern, comfortable furniture and multiple
power outlets stretch on either side of the
entrance. And services—both high-tech
self-serve options and from librarians and
assistants—are readily available, front and
centre.”
Also visible from the entrance is the glass
walled "jewel box" learning space for writing,
learning and library workshops and events
showcasing the university's connections
between learning, research and community.
Revitalizing the W.A.C. Bennett Library is a key
element of the SFU Library’s current strategic
plan and a centerpiece of its fundraising
priorities.
http://www.sfu.ca/sfunews/stories/
2014/w-a-c--bennett-iibrary-partycelebrates-new-front-door.html
“We’re delighted with the results,” says Natalie
Gick, the associate university librarian for adminis-
British Columbia Library Association - Merit Awards - Category B: Building Project- 7
NEW Book Drop
Before
British Columbia Library Association - Merit Awards - Category B: Building Project- 8
10.
NEW Main Entrance - Interior
Before
British Columbia Library Association - Merit Awards - Category B: Building Project - 9
NEW Study Area
BEFORE
British Columbia Library Association - Merit Awards - Category B: Building Project - 10
NEW Reserves Stacks
Before
British Columbia Library Association - Merit Awards - Category B: Building Project - 11
Simon Frase
Burnaby Cam
8888 Univers
British Colum
V5A 1S6
5t
TABLE
42” Dia
STUDENT
LOUNGE
CIELING
MOUNTED TV
TABLE
42” Dia
PRINT SCAN COPY
PRINT
COPY SCAN
PRINT
COPY SCAN
RESERVES
TABLE
42” Dia
STUDENT COMPUTERS
20
28
RESERVES
CONSULTATION
LAP TOPS/ COMPUTERS
DIGITAL
SIGNAGE
8
RESERVES
RESERVES
ASSISTANCE
Gate 6’-0”x
PHOTO COPIER
INFORMATION
STANDING TERMINAL
Millwork Unit
12’-4” x 2’-10 ” x 3’-6“
Site Measure
STANDING TERMINAL
SELF CHECK
STANDING TERMINAL
RETURNS
INFORMATION
Book Truck
Book Truck
Book Truck
3’-0” x 1’-6” x 3’-11”
3’-0” x 1’-6” x 3’-11”
3’-0” x 1’-6” x 3’-11”
SORT
ORIENTATION
DIGITAL
SIGNAGE
Desk
6’-0” x 2’-6” x 2’-6”
CASH REGISTER
RESERVES
CONSULTATION
LAP TOPS/ COMPUTERS
LOANS & INFO
DIGITAL SIGNAGE
DIGITAL SIGNAGE
Millwork Unit
Approx 19’-3“
x 4’-9” x 31.5”
FIREPLACE FEATURE
3
Book Truck
3’-0” x 1’-6” x 3’-11”
Book Truck
3’-0” x 1’-6” x 3’-11”
Desk
6’-0” x 2’-6” x 2’-6”
DRG PR
*TTVF'&
Revision
C
L
RETURNS
RETURNS
Book Truck
3’-0” x 1’-6” x 3’-11”
RESERVES
CONSULTATION
LAP TOPS/ COMPUTERS
SPECIAL
COLLECT
RETURNS SHOOT
3’-0” x 1’-6” x 3’-11”
Book Truck
Desk
4’-0” x 2’-6” x 2’-6”
CONSULTING
Re/Desensitizer
Book Truck
RESERVES
LOANS
CONSULTING
STUDENT LOUNGE
RESERVES
RESERVES
4’-0” x 2’-2”
CUT/BIND/STAPLE
Millwork Unit
12’-4” x 2’-10 ” x 3’-6“
Site Measure
ORIENTATION
DIGITAL
SIGNAGE
CLASSROOM/PROGRAMMING
COPY BIND
4’-0” x 2’-2”
REFERENCE
COLLECTION
3’-0” x 1’-6” x 3’-11”
DISPLAY SHELVING DISPLAY SHELIVNG DISPLAY SHELVING DISPLAY SHELIVNG
SHELVING DISPLAY SHELVING DISPLAY SHELVING
3’-0” x 1’9“ x 7’-6”
3’-0” x 1’9“ x 7’-6”
3’-0” x 1’9“ x 7’-6”
3’-0” x 1’9“ x 7’-6”
3’-0” x 1’9“ x 7’-6”
3’-0” x 1’9“ x 7’-6”
3
8
EXPRESS
SELF CHECK
Gate 6’-0”x
RESERVES
Desk
4’-0” x 2’-6” x 2’-6”
3
3
DIGITAL
SIGNAGE
PRINT/COPY/SCAN
CARD MACHINE/
DISPENCER
3
3
C
L
RESERVES
CONSULTATION
LAP TOPS/ COMPUTERS
PRINT/COPY/SCAN
CARD MACHINE/
DISPENCER
RESERVES
PRELIM
SCHEM
FLOOR
COMP/LAP TOP CUEING
Total of
208
3’-0” shelves
STUDENT LOUNGE
BOOK CASE
3’-0” x 3’-0“ x 1’-6”
ACCESSIBLE COUNTER
BOOK CASE
3’-0” x 3’-0“ x 1’-6”
BOOK CASE
3’-0” x 3’-0“ x 1’-6”
BOOK CASE
3’-0” x 3’-0“ x 1’-6”
BOOK CASE
3’-0” x 3’-0“ x 1’-6”
BOOK CASE
3’-0” x 3’-0“ x 1’-6”
LOANS & INFORMATION
EXPRESS SELF CHECK
EXPRESS SELF CHECK
SELF SERVE
CHECK OUT
FULL HEIGHT BACK PAINTED FRAMELESS GLAZING
SELF SERVE
CHECK OUT
EXPRESS WORK
STATIONS
CIELING
MOUNTED TV
EXPRESS WORK
STATIONS
RETURNS
LOBBY
SEAT
2’-6” Dia
SEAT
2’-6” Dia
SEAT
2’-6” Dia
SEAT
2’-6” Dia
CIELING
MOUNTED TV
LOBBY
3
PRELIM
NOT FOR CO
VESTIBULE
Book Truck
2’-6” x 2’-9”
VESTIBULE
SEAT
2’-6” Dia
W.A.C
LIBRA
Simon Frase
Burnaby Cam
STUDENT COMPUTERS
20
28
COMP/LAP TOP CUEING
FULL HEIGHT BACK PAINTED FRAMELESS GLAZING
STUDENT LEARNING COMMONS
TECH DESK
20
20
3
TABLE
42” Dia
FULL HEIGHT BACK PAINTED FRAMELESS GLAZING
TABLE
42” Dia
PRINT SCAN COPY
Sigange 6’-0” x 1’-0”
FULL HEIGHT BACK PAINTED FRAMELESS GLAZING
CIELING
MOUNTED TV
TABLE
42” Dia
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TABLE
42” Dia
3
TABLE
42” Dia
SEAT
2’-6” Dia
SEAT
2’-6” Dia
SEAT
2’-6” Dia
SEAT
2’-6” Dia
SEAT
2’-6” Dia
SEAT
2’-6” Dia
SEAT
2’-6” Dia
Book Return
Sorter
Book Truck
2’-6” x 2’-9”
Book Return
Sorter
Book Truck
2’-6” x 2’-9”
Book Return
Sorter
Book Truck
2’-6” x 2’-9”
DR
Book Return
Sorter
Book Truck
2’-6” x 2’-9”
Book Return
Sorter
Book Truck
2’-6” x 2’-9”
VESTIBULE
VESTIBULE
RETURNS
RETURNS
ENTRANCE
FLOOR PLAN
Existing Base Building
New Full Height Back Painted Glazed Wall Panels
New Full Height Clear Glazing c/w Frosted Vinyl Covering
NEW Floor plan
New and/or Existing Equipment
New and/or Existing Millwork
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suppliers and
New and/or Existing Furniture
New Full Height GWB/Stud Partitions
C
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Document Delivery Se
Receptionist
Before
Third Floor
British Columbia Library Association - Merit Awards - Category B: Building Project - 12