ABSTRACT
One of the most important steps in planning a library is preparing the layout or schematic design that shows the location and amount of space allotted to each part of the library, e.g., for the librarian’s office, the photocopiers, and the stacks for periodicals. Sometimes called space utilization, the creation of a good layout is usually a repetitive process in which the plans gradually achieve greater suitability and acceptability to the planning team. Although the use of computers by many architectural firms has brought an element of speed and flexibility to the process, there is still no foolproof, easy method of making a creative, satisfactory layout. It takes time, much thought, and usually several preliminary versions before the process is completed. Even then unexpected problems may arise and require changes to be made.
