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Since 1972, Aaron Cohen Associates LTD, Library Consultant, has drawn on our wealth of library program experiences to assist libraries around the world with new buildings, renovations and additions--including the conceptualization of the learning spaces. Our experience is broad, with projects ranging in size from small special libraries to very large international libraries. It all began in 1972 when our founders, Aaron and Elaine Cohen, led a library planning workshop for a group of librarians from the U.S. Government. The workshop focused on the measurement of library services and behavior of space as they related to one another. Soon the business expanded to include Alex Cohen, MLIS; a planner and facilitator, project manager, data analyst and e-library consultant. Over the years, we have expanded our knowledge base by adding expert consultants to our teams. They are practicing librarians from academic and public institutions, interior designers, architects and e-resource/e-media professionals. All of us are aware of the forces changing library buildings and virtual libraries today. To understand the challenges, our library consultants are well-focused in change strategies. We employ a series of qualitative and quantitative activities to support academic, government, law, medical, public libraries and systems, museums and corporate research projects. We know how to improve the library collection and provide space for the long term. We conduct exercises to increase the effectiveness of library design. Our master plans include new perspectives on preservation, access, technology research and digital asset management for academic libraries, universities and public libraries. Library architecture can be simplified with a solid building program. We measure the library's service data to determine the future size of the collections, study spaces and staffing needs. Our measurements validate the library concept design, enabling programming, fundraising and new revenue streams. Our feasibility studies specify the requirements for collections to ensure there is an adequate budget and/or cost estimate. We develop compact shelving systems for special collections and develop specifications for preservation centers that include High Density, Compact Shelving or ARS systems. Our feasibility projects include learning space concepts, information commons, library technology and digital asset management. Functional programming requires in-depth knowledge of the ways in which library's function. Our highly-experienced and multi-disciplinary staff consists of librarians (MLIS), architects, interior designers, educators and an IT consultant. Contact ACA or start a self-study by attending one of our Library Space Planning workshops. |
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  Library visualizations are important aspects of the planning process.    |
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Over the years, our firm has been recommended for a number of high level library building projects. If there is a difficult building project, we are ready to support its objectives to a successful outcome.
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The interconnection of community, knowledge, IT, learning tools and special collection processes, which enables your library to serve and grow in importance.
We provide service and operations planning to support innovative library architecture. Contact ACA to develop a long/short range library facility plan. Our research interests focus on library buildings; services and operations associated with strategy development and strategic change. Over the years, this has manifested itself into a number of new library buildings, additions and renovation projects.
It has been an honor to work with so many librarians who have given their time to make library services thrive. |
