Abstract
For centuries people have visited libraries to find information, and the practical needs of housing collections and accommodating readers have been the driving force behind library design. As technology advances of the past 20 years have made it possible for people to find information without entering a library building, some have even asked whether the bricks-and-mortar library is doomed to extinction. But today we know that this (bad) vision hasn't come true. Of course, it was imperative to rethink library services fundamentally and in this context also to rethink completely the functions of library buildings. In this ongoing process one term became more and more a magic word - "flexibility"! When Gerhard Liebers, the doyen of building libraries in Germany, came back from a study tour to the United States in the early fifties, his experiences condensed in the term "flexibility". He was absolutely enchanted by the in those days modern and in Germany, at least in the field of library construction, still unknown modular construction principle (Liebers, 2002). Over the years the requirement of flexibility as an important aspect in the planning and briefing of new library buildings became more and more important. Today it is regarded as one of the most decisive, perhaps the basic principle of modern library buildings and in particular it got a new quality.
Highlights
At the moment libraries live through a period of transition and radical change
Learners have different preferences: different learning styles mean a need for study space varieties and "zoning", such as quiet private areas, and busy social areas with low-level seating and tables, and with refreshment facilities
The library facilities are very spacious: The overall usable space amounts to 5.156 m2, of which 3.254 m2 are open access shelving and reader places area; the staff or office area covers 317 m2 and the closed stacks area comprises 720 m2, enough to house 100.000 books as it was required in the architecture brief
Summary
It is assumed that learning will become more collaborative, learners have different preferences, technology will continue and network access to information will be imperative. In addition to providing ready access to large book and periodical collections, hybrid library features will include:. As few as permanent internal walls as possible, systematic zoning of areas for different activities, an extensive and accessible network and power grid to enable the connection of reader places, load bearing floors sufficient for book stacks throughout the building. This leads us to the remarks of Faulkner Brown (Faulkner Brown, 1989) and Andrew McDonald (McDonald, 1997) that "flexibility or adaptability of space is a key criterion". Flexibility: the ability to reconfigure layout to match users changing requirements, variety: the provision of a "family" of spaces that facilitate different forms of learning (Powell, 2002)
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: LIBER Quarterly: The Journal of the Association of European Research Libraries
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
