RESOURCE CENTRE MANUAL
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3.2.2 Space for different uses
As well as space for shelves, the resource centre will need space for users, staff,
training and meetings, storage, and displays.
People who use the resource centre need space to sit and read the materials.
Space needs to be allowed for tables and chairs. Small tables allow more
flexibility than large tables. They can be arranged separately or put together to
make a larger table when required. Folding tables and chairs are convenient.
Access to a photocopier is useful. If the resource centre is very small, the
photocopier could be put outside the resource centre itself, to keep the noise
down. The photocopier may also need to be outside the resource centre if it is
shared with other departments. However, the photocopier needs to be very
close to the resource centre, so that users do not have to go far with materials
that they wish to photocopy.
Resource centre staff need their own working space, either in the resource
centre or in an adjoining room. Staff need desks, chairs, filing cabinets and
shelves.
If the resource centre is in a room that is also used for training, staff need space
in an adjoining room, so that they can continue to work when the resource
centre is being used for training. If staff have a separate room, it is a good idea
to situate the workspace for one or more staff near the main door of the
resource centre, so that staff can see resource centre users and assist them if
necessary.
Training and meetings are activities that can benefit from taking place in a
resource centre, as materials that may be needed are already there. However, if
the resource centre is a very busy place - for example, if it is in a training
institution - meetings will distract people who are using the resource centre to
study. In such cases, it is better to have a separate adjoining room for activities
such as meetings, training sessions and showing videos. It is useful to include a
noticeboard and table or display rack in this room, for displaying information
from the resource centre that relates to the meeting or training session.
Storage space is needed for:
• newly received materials that are waiting to be processed
• older materials that are being repaired or withdrawn
• back issues of periodicals, if there is no space in the main room
• stationery and small equipment
• expensive equipment (which needs a locked cupboard).
Display space is needed for new materials, notices and so on. A table could be
used to put new materials on, slanting display shelves could be used for
periodicals, and a noticeboard could be used for announcements (see Section
3.3.2: Display equipment).
6 SECTION 3: SPACE, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT