Greene County District Library, Fairborn Branch

Fairborn, Ohio

13,000 sq. feet

Services Provided: Building Review | Functional Planning | Interior Design | Procurement of all Furnishings

The Fairborn Community Library has been located in an older, two-story post office since 1979. In 2008, the need for new carpet prompted the library to conduct a complete review of the existing building, library program and patron services. LDA was hired to lead the review and to help insure that the library would be able to get the most out of their existing space after the new carpet was installed.

After working with the library staff to complete our analysis, the main level was planned to allow the entire adult collection to be housed on one floor, with a comfortable, soft seating arrangement in front of the building windows. The staff workroom was reorganized to allow patron returns to be deposited directly into the workroom, which reduced double handling of materials. A new circulation desk was designed, which allowed the library to institute a successful self-check program for the patrons. With self-check technology, space became available on the main floor to allow patron pickup of holds and additional merchandising and display.

The lower level of the library is now fully dedicated to the children’s and teen departments. The children’s staff gained a full-service desk, which allows supervision of the main staircase and juvenile computers. The teen area is a dedicated space, accented with a unique color scheme, comfortable lounge arrangement and high-top café tables and chairs.