library of the future
DESCRIPTION
Collaborative effort by UoB librarians at Aldrich for Architecture student sessionTRANSCRIPT
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]