Is this the library of the future?

71% households in UK have an internet connection [Office of National Statistics, 2009)

Or… Is there still a need for….

Libraries are important because...

Libraries are important because...

Libraries are important because...

Social interaction = shared spaces

Libraries play a major role in the communities that they serve:

“ the (library is the) local gateway to knowledge, provides a basic condition for lifelong learning, independent decision making and cultural development of the individual and social groups”

[UNESCO Public Library manifesto]

Informal spaces where people can meet and talk are also important. This social function of a library is not always taken into consideration.

New libraries are not built as stand-

alone facilities for a single sector- developed in

partnership with other organisations

or services

One-stop shop for council services, health centres, record

office, community theatre, creche, café facilities, art

galleries & schools

Multi-functional, user-friendly spaces for the communities they serve

Used differently – Book Groups, Baby Boogie, homework clubs, IT use, adult

education film clubs, local history,

+ 101 other community uses!

Social interaction = shared spaces

Social interaction = shared spaces

“The library is more explicitly seen as providing the opportunity for this

crossover whilst simultaneously redefining

its own value.”

“The interconnectedness of the cultural and leisure offering was ... much stronger than in previous

competitions.“We are also aware of the implicit realisation of the ‘space to be’, given the increasing

emphasis on the elegance of the architecture as a

complement to the library in shaping our

wellbeing.”

National New Library Building competition comments:

Corby Cubecouncil administration, theatre, library & commercial activities

That is what the building is all about …bringing services

together and making them accessible”

{www.corbycube.com]

Bolton High Street Public Library

Pollock Library and Learning Centre, Glasgow

Winchester Public Library

Peckham LibraryAlsop & Stormer1999 “Designed to be striking….making people curious about what lay inside…challenge traditional view of libraries as staid and serious environments”

Chichester Public Library, UK

Tenerife Arts SpaceHerzog & de Meuron-contemporary arts centre, public library, café & photography centre

Learning = shared spaces

Libraries....• incorporate non- traditional activities – cafes, one-stop student

services, health centres.

• buildings which reflect cultural and civic aspirations.

• Intellectual focus of the [University] community – at the heart of the learning landscape

• Names reflect expectations: • Civic Realm• Discovery centre• Curve• Creative Zone • Laboratories• Learning Grid

• hub/heart of the whole campus

• “powerhouses of content”; should promote creativity

Biblioteca Vasconcelos, Bilbao, Spain

Musashina Art University Library, TokyoFujimoto

Philips Exeter Academy Library. Architect: Louis Kahn, 1971

Information Commons, University of Sheffield, UK

Range of provision that meets the changing needs of diverse group of users with various learning and research styles

Group learning/ social learning opportunities – meet, interact and collaborate

Private/individual study IT/information literacy training Teaching methods – group work and problem-based learning

Flexible…one size fits all approach- bland, boring and anonymous

Accessibility – 24/7 – security of collections, furniture, equipment and safety of staff and

readers

Noise – “acoustic comfort” – zoning areas, using architectural features to minimise

noise disruption, sound-absorbing materials

Design influences

Design influences continued...

Cater for traditional and electronic modes of delivery

Enable a relationship between people, books, information technology

Rapid advances in IT – Less than 30% of reader places in libraries in UK have open

access workstations (SCONUL, 2009) Future trends – can you predict them?

Books

Print Periodicals

Electronic resources

E-books

University of Brighton

… to remove the reservations people may have aboutgoing into an educational building, and recreate an environment theyare used to…closer to a retail environment thana traditional [educational] building

“show what's on display to draw people in” Adjaye/Associates Ideas Store, Whitechapel

Ideas Store

Glasgow Caledonian University Library, Saltire Centre

Glasgow Caledonian University Library, Saltire Centre

Techno booth

Alamedia City Free library, USA

Seattle Public LibraryRem Koolhaascompleted 2004

La Jolla: University of California, San Diego: Central LibraryW. L. Pereira1970

Madrid Regional Archive and LibraryRichard Rogers Partnership 2007

Tama Art University Library Toyo Ito & Associates2007

Rolex Learning Centre SANAA2010

Frederick Lanchester LibraryShort & Associates1995

Aldrich Library, University of Brighton

Aldrich LibraryCase study

... is designed with the interior environment and the user primarily in mind. It is equipped with up to date hardware and software as well as traditional learning materials. ... Both open study areas and closed areas for group work ensure acoustic viability. [Architect’s Journal (10.4.97)

Aldrich LibraryCase Study

Busy/buzzy “vibe” spaces appear to

deliberately encourage socializing.

Some wireless areas

Computer pool room

Varied study areas

Not enough group study spaces

Sounds carry Not enough

wireless or pcs Heating

/ventilation(or not)

Aldrich LibraryCase Study

What would we like to see? 10 suggestions:

More group study areas Wireless building More information in building about services/help/information

points Better signage/”wayfinding” Rethink use of existing spaces More flexible learning spaces Range of furniture/seating that can accommodate different

types of group Self service Windows could be double glazed Better ventilation

New technologies Fundamental to the experience of library users for

information, learning and culture – used everywhere not confined to one area – integral part of the service.

ICT can be part of the architectural make up of the building, e.g. video walls, and virtual reality

Encompass trends in elearning, mobile learning, visual and interactive learning

Self Service – staff no longer an intermediary between resources and user.

New technologies continued...

Consider who is using the library – what technologies would meet their needs? How could you incorporate that into the design of the library space?

Overcome “digital divide” – providing access to information for the information “have-nots” . Only 30% of households in the lowest income group have an internet connection [ONS, 2009]

Self service at University of Salford Library

Self service at Dublin Institute Technology, Aungier Street Library

Bournemouth University Library, Techno Pod

Durham University, Techno cafe

Edinburgh University Library, group study pods

Amsterdam Public Library

•What is the role of a library in preservation of materials?

• to collect, organize, preserve and use the materials that are rare, scarce, valuable, and historical

•Tension between preservation; protecting material from deterioration, and ensuring continued and appropriate access.

•Role of both digital and print preservation techniques.

Preservation

Consider • Space• Integrity• Temperature• Light• Storage requirements • Access• Security• Engineering and scientific factors vs.

aesthetics

King’s Library (British Library)

Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library University of Toronto

The Beinecke Rare Book Library, Yale University, 1963 Gordon Bunshaft of Skidmore Owings & Merrill

The library of the future

Social interaction

New technologies

Learning

Preservation

Shared space

“recognise that as individuals there are times we need libraries and times when we might not, but as one community, we benefit from them all the time.“ [MLA, 2010]

…having to readdress the nature, form and sometimeseven the name of the conventional library to meet 21st centuryneeds. [Design

Week, 2006]