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History & aims

Aims

A web portal, incorporating a database, devoted to sharing best practice in the planning and design of library buildings through access to information and images.

History

In early 2004 the MLA (Museums Libraries and Archive) granted the Thomas Parry Library, University of Wales, Aberystwyth (UWA) the tender for a funded project to develop a pilot public library buildings database, as part of the Framework for the future action plan 2003-2006, which includes library design workshops and an audit of public library buildings.

UWA has historical connections with library building and design through its Library Planning Collection, held in the Thomas Parry Library. This resource of primary and secondary material on more than 4,000 UK and overseas library buildings has been used for teaching, research and publication. Built up over many years, it includes a number of important collections. Of particular significance for the database project was the acquisition in 2003 of the Public Library Building Award (PLBA) material.

The PLBA scheme has operated biennially since 1995, and is run by CILIP (Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals). To participate in the award scheme, library authorities nominated buildings completed in the previous two years and submitted supporting documentation. It was this deposited documentation for 1995-2003 - including floor plans, photographs and building descriptions - that made possible the input of information into the pilot database.

In May 2004 the pilot database was presented to the steering group. Funding was then granted for the development of the public site, which was launched in March 2005. Since the launch the site has developed rapidly with the addition of many new libraries and a host of new features.

For the future it is the intention to develop the site to include libraries from other countries and other sectors.

Press

Items in the press about Designing Libraries, listed in date order with the most recent first.

• Library & Archives (Issue 1 2006)
• Library and Information Update (5(3) March 2006, pg 6)
• Design Week (Jan 26, 2006, pg 20)
• Library and Information Update (4(12) December 2005)
• Irish Library News (254, September 05)
• Public Library Journal, Mike Dewe (20 (3) Autumn 05)
• Library & Information Update, Karen Latimer (4 (7-8) July/August 2005)
• IFLA Buildings and Equipment Section Newsletter, Karen Latimer (June 05)
• Irish Library News (251, June 05)
• Y Ddolen, Mike Dewe (Spring 05)
• Newyddion (April 05)
• Library and Information Update ((4(4) April 05, pg 11)
• Library and Information Gazette (11.3.05 pg 5)

© 2008 Designing Libraries.