Better by Design. An Introduction to Planning and Designing a New Library Building*
Libraries today are faced with rapidly shifting populations of users with differing needs, who require a range of new Communications links that are transforming our concept of the library space. This developing role has created a set of new and complex challenges for those delivering library Services.
There is no such thing as the ‘perfect’ library building. However, a well designed building will enable a project both to gain local acceptance more easily and to ease the process of securing planning permission. It also needs to be cost effective to run, support the organization’s objectives well, offer an improved Service to the user and make an impact on the community.
This much needed book takes as its starting point the fact that few architects know very much about libraries, and fewer librarians know about architectural planning and design. It steers a clear path for library managers through the language and processes that they need to understand as members of a team overseeing the planning of a new library building project, major refurbishment or remodelling of an existing library. Key topics include:
■ twenty-first century libraries
■ developing a business case
■ project management
■ the design/project team
■ selecting an architect
■ partnership and community engagement
■ the design brief
■ design quality
■ space planning and access
■ occupancy and post-occupancy evaluación
■ building libraries for the future.
