Planning Public Library Buildings Concepts and Issues for the Librarian

About this book

The aim of this book is to save the librarian's time, perhaps stop the reinvention of the wheel on occasions, and to guide and enlighten the librarian's thought processes in the belief that a better public library building will result. In addition to concepts and issues, the book also discusses the basic principles and practices of the planning and design of public library buildings. These have been described at various times in the past but necessarily need to be reiterated for today's librarians. The work is intended primarily for a British audience and records matters that relate to that UK context. However, the experiences and library buildings of other countries are drawn on and a number highlighted as case studies. This wide-ranging coverage should broaden its appeal to an international audience. The book demonstrates that the UK continues to create public library service points, both big and small, that enliven and shape its local communities and that this is part of the world-wide public library scene.

Contents

Preface; Introduction; Mission, roles and buildings; Public buildings and public libraries today; Public libraries, their size, services and shape; 'Location, location, location'; Alternatives to new buildings; Sustainability, safety, security and systems; The planning, design and construction process; Key qualities for a successful building; Design concepts and building features; Organization and layout of the library interior; Anything it needs to be?; Appendices; Biennial UK Public Library Building Awards 1995 onwards; Library Building Award Program [USA], 1991 onwards; Bibliography; Index.

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Biography

Michael Dewe has extensive experience at senior level in public libraries and latterly as a University Lecturer in the Department of Information Studies at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales. As well as a long-standing commitment to writing and lecturing about library buildings, he has also acted as a consultant both in the UK and abroad. Actively involved with the IFLA Section on Library Buildings and Equipment for a number of years, he was also a member of the judging panel for the Public Library Building Awards scheme from 1995 to 2003. Currently he is a team member of the library buildings database project, Designing Libraries (www.designing libraries.org.uk) and has written a booklet on primary school library design.