Re: Planning And Design Of Library Buildings Pdf
Mirthe Luria
Planning and Design of Library Buildings PDF
Library buildings are complex structures that require careful planning and design to meet the needs of users, staff, collections, and services. Library buildings should be functional, flexible, sustainable, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing. They should also reflect the vision, mission, and values of the library and its community. In this article, we will explore some of the key aspects of planning and designing library buildings, as well as some of the resources available in PDF format to help library professionals and architects with this process.
Preliminary Work and Research
Before starting the actual design of a library building, it is important to conduct preliminary work and research to clarify the vision, goals, objectives, and requirements of the project. This involves gathering information about the library's current and future needs, such as user demographics, usage patterns, service trends, collection size and growth, space allocation, technology infrastructure, security, accessibility, sustainability, and budget. It also involves analyzing the site and context of the library building, such as its location, size, shape, orientation, topography, climate, zoning, regulations, utilities, transportation, parking, and surrounding environment. Additionally, it involves reviewing the literature and best practices on library building design, as well as visiting and benchmarking other libraries that have similar characteristics or features.
One of the resources that can help with this stage is the [Key Issues in Building Design] PDF published by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) Library Buildings and Equipment Section. This document summarizes the main points to consider when designing a new or refurbished library building, based on the IFLA Library Building Guidelines published in 2007. It covers topics such as preliminary work and research, vision, space needs, and communication.
Vision
The vision of a library building is the overarching idea or concept that defines its purpose, identity, and character. It is derived from the library's mission statement and strategic plan, as well as from the input of stakeholders such as users, staff, management, governing bodies, funders, partners, and community members. The vision should express the values and aspirations of the library and its community, as well as the unique features and functions of the library building. The vision should also be aligned with the site and context of the library building, as well as with the current and future trends in library services.
One of the resources that can help with this stage is the [Better by Design] PDF by Ayub Khan published by Facet Publishing in 2009. This book provides guidance on planning a new library building from a user-centered perspective. It covers topics such as developing a vision statement, conducting user research and consultation, creating user scenarios, designing user journeys, applying design thinking methods, selecting design concepts, evaluating design options, and implementing design solutions.
Space Needs
The space needs of a library building are determined by the functions and activities that take place within it. These include providing access to collections, delivering services, supporting learning, facilitating collaboration, creating community, enabling innovation, offering amenities, ensuring operations, and accommodating growth. The space needs of a library building should be based on quantitative data such as user statistics, collection size, staff numbers, equipment inventory, furniture specifications, room dimensions, circulation patterns, occupancy rates, environmental conditions, and performance indicators. They should also be based on qualitative data such as user feedback, staff input, service standards, functional requirements, spatial relationships, design preferences, aesthetic principles, and accessibility guidelines.
One of the resources that can help with this stage is the [Planning Library Buildings] PDF by Anders Dahlgren published by ALA Editions in 2009. This book provides a comprehensive overview of the process of planning library buildings from a space planning perspective. It covers topics such as defining space needs, developing space programs, creating space plans, designing floor plans, organizing functional areas, arranging furniture layouts, selecting materials and finishes, integrating technology systems, and applying sustainability practices.
Communication
The communication of a library building is the process of conveying its vision, goals, objectives, requirements, design concepts, design solutions, and design outcomes to various audiences such as users, staff, management governing bodies funders partners community members architects engineers contractors suppliers and media. The communication of a library building should be clear, consistent, accurate, timely, and engaging. It should also be tailored to the needs, expectations, and interests of each audience, as well as to the purpose, format, and medium of each communication channel. The communication of a library building should involve various methods such as meetings presentations workshops surveys focus groups interviews exhibitions models drawings renderings animations videos websites newsletters reports and publications.
One of the resources that can help with this stage is the [Communicating Design] PDF by Dan M. Brown published by New Riders in 2011. This book provides practical advice on how to create and deliver effective design documents for web and software projects. It covers topics such as planning design communication, choosing design deliverables, creating design deliverables, presenting design deliverables, and managing design feedback.
Conclusion
Planning and designing library buildings is a complex and challenging task that requires a multidisciplinary approach and a collaborative effort. Library professionals and architects need to work together to create library buildings that are functional, flexible, sustainable, accessible, and aesthetically pleasing. They also need to consult and communicate with various stakeholders to ensure that the library buildings meet the needs and expectations of the users and the community. To assist with this process, there are many resources available in PDF format that provide guidance, inspiration, and examples of best practices in library building design.
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