RESOURCE CENTRE MANUAL
HEALTHLINK WORLDWIDE
3.1 Location, size and structure
3.1.1 Choosing a location
A resource centre needs to be easily accessible to the people who will use it. Its
location will depend on who the users will be and what space is available. It
could be somewhere users already go to regularly. For example, if most users
will be district health workers, the resource centre could be in the district
hospital, or in the district health offices where health workers collect their
salary cheques. If most users will be community groups, the resource centre
could be near a market place, bus station or school.
It is worth thinking ahead. The resource centre will probably be more sustainable
if it attracts a wide range of users, such as practising health workers, medical and
nursing students, health educators, members of community health committees,
members of district management teams and so on.
It is best to find a location where there are no distractions such as noise and
smells. The resource centre needs to be attractive and inviting. It needs to be
accessible to everyone who will use it (including people with disabilities). It needs
to be easy to find. It is important that it is well signposted and that directions are
included in any publicity material (perhaps as a map).
3.1.2 Working out the size
The size of the resource centre will depend on how many people are expected
to use it, and what activities are planned to take place in it. It will also depend
on how much space is available. It will be necessary to negotiate with
administrators to find a suitable site, in view of competing demands for space.
Resource centres can range from a set of shelves in someone's room, to one or
more rooms dedicated to the resource centre and related activities. The site
needs to be large enough to include:
• space for materials to be shelved
• work spaces for staff and users: desks, tables and chairs
• display area
• space for photocopier, duplicating machine or printing machine, if required
• space for a computer desk, if required
• space for meetings and possibly training activities
• storage space for materials waiting to be processed
• a secure place for expensive equipment such as a video recorder.
2 SECTION 3: SPACE, FURNITURE AND EQUIPMENT