FIAT LUXLET THERE BE LIGHT

Developing a master plan for a 21st century library in Canada

Diane Koen, Senior Director, Planning and Resources

McGill University Library and Archives

ékm architecture and Shepley Bulfinch for McGill University

MULTI-YEAR PROCESS

Architects selected through public tender process. January 2014 – August 2014.

EKM and Shepley Bullfinch engaged. Master plan developed. Sept. 2014 – October 2015.

Master Plan written, Marketing Document and video produced and delivered December 2015.

Principal Fortier’s 5 Priorities:

• Student Life and Learning

• Research

• Engagement with community

• A Learning Organization

• Transforming Space

ALIGNMENT WITH ACADEMIC PRIORITIES

“We are united by shared values and goals: • the joy we have in learning, in creativity,

in discovery; • our commitment to excellence and our

love of challenge; • a sense of responsibility to better our

society through the work that we do.”

McGill Principal Suzanne Fortier, March 28 2014

LISTENING TO THE MCGILL COMMUNITY• Steering Committee &

Communication Committee

• Student, Faculty, and Staff Focus Groups

• November 2014 Town Hall

• System-wide Visitor Survey

• Faculty Symposium on the Future of Academic Research Libraries

• Updates and anonymous feedback through website

• Publicity through local and campus media channels

WHAT WE HEARD: Access• Democratic access to resources and technology• Library as cultural resource: exhibits & events• Visibility of research and resources• Collections: tension between primacy of digital formats and research that is print dependent

Discovery• Collaborative and cross disciplinary work• Teaching, learning and convening• Discovery and exploration of physical and digital resources

Variety • Zones of use and activities, variety of scale and atmosphere• Clarity of way finding and orientation• In-between spaces and In-between times

Identity• Connection of Library to campus and City: multiple locations• Pride in unique and rare collections• Must make wise use of scarce campus resources• Primarily viewed by students as a place to get work done.

Need a more compelling image of McGill here

LIBRARY USE AND SPACE ALLOCATION

Reason for Visiting the McGill Library System (One-day Snapshot Survey)

Space Allocation Across McGill Library System (2013-2014)

SEATING: HOW DOES MCGILL COMPARE?

Seating as a Percentage of the Student Population at Peer Institutions (2013-2014)

Library Seats

• Current: 12% - 9% if rightsized

• Proposed: 16% rightsized

• Best Practice: 30-35 sf/ seat

• McLennan-Redpath: 23 sf/ seat

MORE SPACE FOR LIBRARY USERS

COLLECTIONS: EXPANDING DIGITAL AND DECLINING PRINT

E-Journals, E-Book and Print Loans Use 2007-2013

STEWARDS OF KNOWLEDGE

Unique Titles held by McGill University Library

AAU(Association of American Universities)

CanadaQuebec

• Capital Costs

• Staffing Costs

• Transportation Costs

• Retrieval Time

• Carbon Foot-print

HIGH DENSITY STORAGE ALTERNATIVES

ASRS: Automated Storage and Retrieval System “Harvard Model” High Bay Warehouse

High-density storage:$0.86 per volume

Open-stack shelving:$4.26 per volume VS.

REALLOCATION OF SPACE: SYSTEM WIDE

EXISTING PROPOSED

Space Allocation Across McGill Library System (2013-2014) Proposed Space Allocation Across McGill Library System

THE MCLENNAN-REDPATH COMPLEX SITE

1. Redpath Hall2. Redpath Library3. McLennan Library4. Campus Green

BUILDING CHALLENGESMCLENNAN-REDPATH COMPLEX

• Confusing Wayfinding and Access

• Inflexible Structure

• Misaligned Floors

• Limited Expansion Capabilites

Add birds eye view

LIMITED EXPANSION POSSIBILITIES

• 23m height limit over Redpath Library

• 30m height limit over McLennan Library

• Footprint can not expand over campus green

• Footprint cannot expand beyond McLennan Library benchmark façade

McTavish Street Sherbrooke Street

PRELIMINARY OPTIONS

BUILDING RECOMMENDATIONS• Automated Storage and Retrieval System• Rebuild 1950’s Redpath• Extension to McLennan• Renovations to McLennan and portions of Redpath Hall

IMPLEMENTATIONBuild and load ASRS under the campus green next to McLennan Library. Light refresh of former stack spaces in McLennan and Schulich to support study, service and staff spaces.

Rebuild Redpath Library, restore Redpath Hall and build new “Hub” connecting Redpath and McLennan. Library continues to function in McLennan throughoutconstruction.

IMPLEMENTATIONRenovate McLennan. Library continues to function in newly built Redpath.

Time frame: 5 yearsCost: ≈ $165M

* Library remains open & staff/services accessible throughout all construction phases.

Next steps:1. Finalize a business plan – contracted KPMG to develop plan.

• Philanthropy – signature gift and multiple contributions.• Central operating and capital funds. • Self funding (onsite café).• External financing – bond issue, public-private partnership?• Student fee.

2. Seek approval from McGill Principal and Board.• Where do we fit in the University Master Plan?• External distractions. Other priorities. Unknown unknowns.

3. Cultivate student contribution.• 10 year levy. Potentially permanent?

4. Obtain approval from the Province of Quebec.

Next steps:1. Promote, promote, promote!

2. Believe it will happen but be ready to compromise…..

McGill Library & Archives:

Master Plan Sponsored by the Friends of the Library

Prepared by ékm architecture and Shepley Bulfinchfor McGill University, October 2015