Rethinking the library for the 21st century?

Abstract

In the past few decades, the evolution of libraries has been increasingly dramatic and complex. Technology has fundamentally revolutionized information access, manipulation, and utilization. This transformation has challenged librarians and architects to evaluate the implications of these changes and their impact on the core mission of the library, its architecture, and the institution as a whole. Shepley Bulfinch is often engaged by our clients to help usher in the library for the 21st century. Such a facility is expected to fully integrate the digital and print worlds and introduce new spaces for media access, cyber cafs, 24/7 use, seminar and general instruction, faculty development labs, and GIS services. Additionally, such projects create flexible spaces that can be easily transformed to meet changing needs and uses. These projects bring with them significant acoustical isolation and technological access problems. However, such challenges are to be expected as these projects redefine the research and learning environment by integrating library resources, services, and users in spaces that reflect the overall evolution of the library.