Public Library Buildings

Planning a new or refurbished public library means considering not only facilities for collections, services, staff and users, but examining also the local context, reviewing the library image, and developing relationships with other community facilities and agencies. This book examines the entire gamut of challenges confronting the planning and development of contemporary public libraries; their mission, their roles, and key issues such as lifelong learning, social inclusion, community and cultural needs, regeneration and funding. The helpful presentation and readable style guides the librarian through the preliminary information-gathering and decision-making process that ensures a successful library building for all concerned. Using practical case studies, plans and photographs, the author tackles the critical issues of siting, size, plans and design concepts, and provides a helpful guide to weighing up the alternatives of refurbished, converted and new buildings. Separate chapters focus on the planning, briefing and construction process; security, safety and sustainability; key characteristics of successful buildings; identity, decor and signage; and interior layout and facilities. The text draws together a vast resource of real library examples from all over the world which provide best practice models and lessons to learn. For funding authorities, librarians and architects of public libraries this is a highly informative book that will help to ensure wise decision-making and prevent costly mistakes.

Supercedes Lushington's now classic Libraries designed for users (1980) by looking at planning a library in the context of new technology, new expectations of libraries, and new ways of evaluating the finished product. Describes initial design, emphasizing flexibility and the library's many roles; and also explains how to modify libraries in use to bring them into line with the design goals. Written for library administrators rather than for architects.

Building new libraries.

The only comprehensive treatment of American library architecture, this work details the evolution of the modern public library from 1850 to the present. Oehlerts examines the influences on the professions of public architecture and librarianship that shaped America's library buildings.

Library design in the 21st century has one common theme: collaboration is at the heart of innovation. Designing modern libraries is a complex process involving many stakeholders and participants. Libraries of all types work with an almost limitless range of constituent groups for input, buy-in and successful implementation. Securing support for new library buildings and renovations of libraries engages many people: library clients, community members, faculty, funding agencies, donors, governing authorities, librarians, architects, interior designers and planners. Telling the right story and getting to the end game demand carefully crafted approaches, wide-ranging skills, a unified vision and productive teamwork. The IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Section has selected the best papers presented by award-winning architects and international thought leaders from the academic and public library sector at our recent satellite conferences and seminars: "Collaborative Strategies for Successful Library Design" (Chicago, Illinois), "What comes after the Third Place?" (Columbus, Ohio); "Key Issues for Library Space: International Perspectives" (Maynooth, Ireland); "Storage, the final frontier" (Munich, Germany) and "Telling and selling the space story" (Wrocław, Poland). The stories by the library and design professionals within this publication illustrate how powerful a role partnerships, outreach and cooperation play in a library project’s success.

Result of a conference organised by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science and the Netherlands Public Library Association, on the occasion of the Dutch presidency of the Council of Europe on the 18th and 19th of March 2004 in The Hague and Apeldoorn. New functions and forms of public libraries in the 21st century were the central theme about which more than 150 participants of over 35 countries discussed. It was an expert meeting of governmental policy makers as well as professionals from the library field, and it includes library building and city planning, new public library concepts and its reflection in attractive and sustainable design and public library building. Consists of lectures, recommendations to the Council of Europe, seminar, survey reports on the situation of public libraries in European countries.