Memorandum

Date: November 23, 2016

Subject Library- New Study Furniture Proposal

:

From: Emily Adams, Media Center Director

To: Silver Lake Community College Library Budgeting Board

In preparation for a new fiscal year, we would like the board to consider funding for new furniture for our students
to use in the librarys study areas. As a library staff, we have noticed that our study areas are not being utilized as
much as they could be. After talking to other librarians and comparing spaces, we have realized that changes to
our spaces could be made in order to make them more welcoming to students. In order to accomplish this, we
would like to introduce booth-style seating, armchairs, and table top charging stations.

Comfortable and Varying Study Spaces

Currently, the library has twelve study spaces throughout the stacks. After talking to several students, it has come
to our attention that our patrons would rather study in settings that feel welcoming, which includes comfortable
seating and spaces for charging devices. With the present furniture, our spaces do not match these descriptions.
Because of this, many students decide to study in other areas of campus, or completely off campus. As an
information center, we enjoy having our patrons using our space, and we would like to have it used by as many
patrons as possible. Our wooden chairs and large tables are useful for groups of four to six, but we would like for
individuals and smaller groups to also have spaces which serve their interests. Changing the configurations for all
study area would be unnecessary, but some alterations are desired.
My staff and I have decided that, in order to bring variety and comfort to our space, we would like to change the
furniture in six of our twelve spaces. In three spaces, four armchairs with a rotating writing space would replace
the wooden chairs and tables. The other three spaces would have the chairs replaced with a booth bench on each
side of the table. The remaining six spaces are used by larger groups on a regular basis, so their furniture will
remain unchanged. However, the additions of power modules to these existing tables would be welcome.
The rationale for each of our proposed changes to our study spaces is detailed on the following page. Attached at
the end of this document are pictures and specifications of each of the pieces of furniture and hardware we would
like to add to our space. An itemized budget with an estimate of how much this project would cost the college is
also attached to this document. Items in this proposal were chosen based upon price, quality, attractiveness, and
recommendations from other librarians. We appreciate your consideration of our proposal, and I would be happy
to answer any additional questions you might have.

Why Armchairs?
Students dont like to share spaces with people they dont know. When one student sits down at a table designed
for six people, they often have the whole space to themselves because other students are unwilling to infringe on
their spot. As part of the effort to make our furniture more comfortable, adding chairs with cushions is the first
step. Armchairs are individual enough that several students could sit in the same area without being concerned
about anyone else who might be using that space. Even couches and loveseats would be less effective in
accomplishing our goals, since students would refuse to share either of these with a stranger.
These specific chairs were chosen because they include a storage area beneath the seat. This would allow for the
study space to be more organized and less hazardous, since backpacks and extra papers could be stored. These
chairs are also very customizable and comfortable, which will make the space more welcoming and comfortable.

Email: eradams2@illinois.edu Phone: 217-520-5619 Office: LIS 105

Why Booths?
The idea for booths came about in an effort to keep the funding request as low as possible. By replacing individual
chairs with booths, the existing tables would not have to be replaced, which will save the college hundreds of
dollars. In addition, the number of students who could use this space would remain fluid, and the look and feel of
the space would be completely altered. More comfortable seating would be welcoming and contribute to a relaxing
study environment.
Like the armchairs, there is a storage area under the seat for students belongings to be kept. One of the features
my staff and I were most impressed with is the possibility of having a whiteboard finish on the back of the booths,
so that students have more options for the space. We decided not to choose the booths with taller backs on them,
both to save money and to maintain patron sightlines; we dont want to make our space TOO inviting for students
who have pursuits other than studying in mind.

Why Charging Capabilities?

After talking to several other librarians who have implemented this change in their spaces, we have learned that
adding places for devices to be charged could possibly be the most positive change an academic library can add to
their space. It can be very frustrating when a device dies in the middle of a study session, because that usually
requires the studying to stop until the device can be charged. Though some study areas are close to wall outlets,
others are located in the middle of the stacks, where nearby electrical outlets are hidden. In these island study
spaces, it would be more difficult to hook up table power modules, but not impossible. Cables should be run under
the floor if possible, in order to avoid tripping hazards (the costs of labor for installation is included in our
proposed budget).
The table-top modules we chose are mid-range models that also include USB ports. We wanted to avoid getting
the cheapest solution, in order to invest in quality. USB ports were a must, as all of the librarians we talked to
assured us that they were used heavily. We propose adding six units to remaining library study tables, with the
possibly of adding more in the future if the need continues to grow. By adding these six, we can make even our
existing furniture more inviting and useful to our students.
Several of the tables located in the stacks are in dimmer areas of the library, due to the way that the overhead
lights are set up. In those three areas, instead of installing the regular table-top modules, we would like to test
lamps with plug-ins and USB ports (lightbulbs are not included in the purchase of the lamps, so they have been
added to the proposed budget). This will allow students to have more control over the lighting in their space, as
they have two switches that can be operated independently of each other. Having two different kinds of table-top
power available will allow us to decide which type to invest in further, if necessary.

Budget Request
Unit Number of Units Price of Unit Total Price
Table Power Modules 6 $325 $1,950
Workstation Desk Lamp 3 $130 $390
Light Bulbs for Lamps 6 $2 $12
Booth Benches 6 $1,995.95 $12,000
Armchairs 12 $1,100 $13,200
Labor N/A N/A $648
Final Total $28,000
*All unit prices are provided by the vendor and can be checked in the Specifications sections source links
**Final total is rounded to allow for possible installation labor

Emily Adams, Library Director Library- New Study Furniture Proposal Page 2
Specifications
Russwood Mobile Benches
1" thick, particleboard side panels
3 diameter casters for movement
2" thick foam for seating comfort
Two storage cubbies
Optional marker board or laminate matching back (marker
boards would be nice, but not necessary)

Source: http://www.thelibrarystore.com/product/92-70047/

HPFI Genesis Mobile Team Chair

360 rotating tablet arm relocates left/right

Open storage area measures 10 H x 22 W x 18 D

18 fabric color options

4 wood color options

Optional cup holders, document holders and newspaper holders available

(not likely that we would spend money on these options)
Source: http://www.thelibrarystore.com/product/ad94-04624/hpfi#

Charlton Bronze Workstation Desk Lamp with USB Port

USB 2.0-A type port and two power outlets in base

Two on-off pull chains

26 H x 16 W

Shade 7 x 5 top, 16 x 9" bottom, 10 high

Two maximum 75 watt or equivalent bulbs (included in budget chart)

Source: http://www.lampsplus.com/products/charlton-bronze-workstation-desk-
lamp-with-usb-port__1r525.html

Smith Systems Retractable Power System

4 power modules or 2 power and 4 USB
3.72 H x 8.25 W x 4.43 D
Connects to a wall outlet using a 10 ft 15 amp power cord
Requires a 4 x 8 hole in table
Fits into and 1 1/14 thick table tops

Source: https://smithsystem.com/furniture/retractable-power-module/

Emily Adams, Library Director Library- New Study Furniture Proposal Page 3