UFC 4-740-20
1 May 2006
CHAPTER 4
FUNCTIONAL AREA GUIDELINES
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GENERAL
This chapter presents criteria specifically applicable to the design of each functional
area and space of library facilities. Primary design considerations are presented for
each functional area indicating the anticipated use, performance, organization,
character, and relationships between each area's component spaces. Specific criteria
is provided concerning space sizes, critical dimensions, storage requirements,
furnishings, equipment, and technical requirements for each component space within
each functional area. The technical requirements provided in this chapter address only
items with special criteria for each individual space. General considerations are
presented in Chapter 3.
The guidelines in this chapter apply to all sizes and types of library facilities. Specific
space allocation guidance for the three prototypical sizes of general libraries is
presented in Chapter 2. All guidance is provided based on the recommended space
sizes and capacities for each overall facility size, supplemented by standard use and
size factors, as appropriate. These recommendations may be modified in the design of
an individual project to reflect local program requirements and capacity needs.
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BUILDING FUNCTIONAL AREA RELATIONSHIPS
The entry lobby should have direct access to the meeting/conference rooms, restrooms
and other public support areas. A movable security closure should be located to
separate the entry lobby from the rest of the building. This will enable the public support
areas to be utilized when the rest of the library is closed. The six core building
functional areas include:
Public Services Areas
Information Services Areas
Children's Areas
Administration Areas
Technical Services Areas
Support Areas
The scope of operations may vary depending upon specific installation and size
requirements for each facility. Expeditionary libraries and some medium or small
general libraries may be required to combine some core functional areas due to space
limitations, existing infrastructure, or unique situations regarding the specific library
program for each facility.
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