Two research on the effect of interior acoustics on the number of user in library architecture: Metu and Atilim University libraries

Abstract

The library's readership services can be likened to the generosity of the ice mountain. A source goes through many stages until you reach the reader. Therefore, when the library activities and sections are examined, it is seen that different acoustical environments require different functions and spaces. These places include direct or indirect connections and transitions. Acoustic control should be solved by architectural methods in areas where there are continuous, direct connections, and transitions, while the absence of distinct acoustical features in areas with indirect transients does not create a problem. The librarian, the reader, or the user can experience the problem of adapting in transitions between different places, or it can be noisy due to the fact that there are no interrupters between the spaces. Acoustic comfort also does not just mean quiet as it is generally known. It should be able to serve different activities of users and readers and provide psychological acoustic comfort. In interviews conducted with many readers, it has been observed that the complete silent environment creates distrust due to insecurity in mass and wide areas, and thus prevents the desire to stay in the space for a long time. Comfort can be quantified and measured in terms of Articulation Index (AI) or other metrics based on signal-to-noise ratio. In highly reverberant library spaces, Speech Transmission Index (STI) may be more correlative to subjective impression of acoustic comfort.