There is a public building in my community that is so poorly designed, I just have to comment. It’s amazing this building was designed, approved, funded with tax dollars, constructed and accepted. Apparently no one raised any objections as to its usability and fitness for its purpose.
I’m talking about the Huntsville Madison County Public Library branch building in Madison, Alabama. I like libraries and I use this one frequently, but every time I’m there I think what a poor design it has.
First off the entrance is a foreboding, unwelcoming sight. From the parking lot, the landscaping forces you to cross a drive that curves past the front door. The book return drop is located opposite the front door. Consequently cars constantly arrive and depart (and sometimes park for several minutes) while you’re trying to get into or out of the library.
If you avoid getting hit by a car, good luck using the sidewalk. Rough, square brick pillars force you to step down from the curb to get around them. Your path is also blocked by a large bicycle rack that acts like a gate restricting your entry.
Inside, the building is an open atrium. Although the children’s book area is in one half of the building the sounds of children screaming and running permeates the grown-up section too. (It used to be that libraries were quiet places, but I’ll leave that story for another day.)
A large skylight covers the building from front to back. A skylight is a nice airy concept, but not for a library. The administrative desk is bathed in sunlight making it hard for employees to see their computer screens. So they installed a large awning to shield their work area. The hot Alabama summer sun heats the whole library.
Glare makes it hard to see. Of course sunlight and books don’t mix. Paper fades in sunlight. The books are prematurely aging and wearing out even before patrons touch them.
The library is actually quite roomy. There are a few wide open expanses filled with tables. But the book stacks themselves are crammed together closely. It is very difficult to find a particular book, let alone browse the collection, when you have to navigate such narrow aisles. It is particularly troublesome when you must share an aisle with another person. There is no room to pass without getting personal.
Some aisles are less than three feet wide. If you wear bifocals, it’s hard to stand at the proper distance and orientation to read the call numbers. Larger books are stacked on their sides and stick out into the aisle. Countless times I’ve been hunting a book, only to take a step back and get a sharp jab in my back from books on the opposite side of the aisle. You can’t help but bump and dodge your way down the aisle. Every time you stoop down or stand up looking for a book you’re stopped short and stabbed by another book.
This area’s library system is a great resource. They say it’s one of the most heavily used library systems in the state. It’s a wonder though, what were they thinking when they built the Madison branch?