Academic library design and learning space planning
Academic and college libraries are taking radical new approaches in their response to changing patterns of usage and service delivery.
This list of books, journal articles and online resources provides a guide to some of the issues and trends in the design of libraries, library spaces and library services in universities and colleges.
Websites
- Academic Libraries of the Future
- The Libraries of the Future project has been established to help those running academic libraries to plan for the future.
- Academic Library Building Design: Resources for Planning
- In response to frequent enquiries for information about planning academic library buildings, the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) and the Library Leadership and Management Association (LLAMA) in the US have joined forces to provide a basic framework for architects, planners, and librarians embarking on the planning and design of libraries for higher education. This guide will provide information for thinking about the design of new and renovated library space, and point towards additional resources that can support, inform and enhance the academic library design process.
- Design Guidance
- The Skills Funding Agency developed this website to provide guidance and support to colleges and their consultants to develop capital projects and for all those interested in the delivery of quality designed solutions to support the learning process, to inspire learning and enhance the working experience of staff. Inclludes case studies, articles on sustainability, being a client, the design process, construction and feasibility.
- Higher Education Design Quality Forum
- RIBA website. The HEDQF aims to improve the performance of buildings and estates in universities and higher education colleges. It was formed to provide a long term forum for discussions between procurers in the higher education sector and the architectural profession.
- Planning and Designing Technology-rich Learning Spaces
- One of the JISC InfoKits designed to help colleges and universities provide 21st-century learning facilities, optimise space to best effect and respond to learner expectations.
- Transforming Research Libraries: New Thinking on Space and Facilities
- The Association of Research Libraries (ARL) provides links to useful articles and online resources on learning spaces.
Articles and reports
- The academic library in 2010: a vision
- A report from a symposium held in 2005, looking ahead to 2010. Now that we are living in the envisioned ‘future’ it is interesting and useful to check how much has been achieved, how much has changed – and how much remains the same.
- Challenges for academic libraries in difficult economic times
- A guide for senior institutional managers and policy makers, published in 2010 by Research Information Network in association with SCONUL, focusing on strategies to deliver value in the context of continuing budgetary constraints.
- Changing a cultural icon: the academic library as a virtual destination
- An intelligent and insightful analysis of the impact of digital technology on the previous supremacy of the library as a source of information, written in 2006 by Jerry D Campbell, Chief Information Officer, University of Southern California, Los Angeles.
- Current trends in library building design
- A descriptive report of a study visit to a range of academic libraries in the UK. The study investigates the use of space in new or refurbished libraries with an aim of using the information in the strategic planning of future library developments at La Trobe University.
- The future of academic libraries
- An interview with Steven J Bell on the implications of the 'unbundling' of higher education in the US, March 2012.
- Learning space attributes: reflections on academic library design and its use
- The continuing preferences of students for library space is examined in the light of a hierarchy of needs made up of layers of access and linkages, of uses and activities, of sociability, comfort and image. A space which combines attributes from all four levels is an ideal learning space.
- The library as place: rethinking roles, rethinking space
- A 2005 report produced by the Council on Library and Information Resources as a series of essays including: 'Changes in learning patterns, collections, technology and use' and 'Space designed for lifelong learning'.
- Off-the-shelf solutions
- Times Higher Education article on redesigning the university library in response to an increasing focus on electronic and online resources, and the effect of this trend on learning spaces, with many examples from university libraries across the country.
- Self-assessment toolkit for learning resource services in Further Education colleges in England
- Produced by CoFHE and based on a national survey, available as a download from the CILIP website.
- The Ten Commandments revisited: the qualities of good library space
- A paper by Andrew McDonald, University of East London, published in the LIBER Quarterly, exploring key qualities of good learning space in academic libraries, whether in new or refurbished builidings.
- The Ten Commandments revisited: slide show presentation
- Illustrated slide show to accompany the above paper.
Books
- Redesigning the college library
- This book, published by Primary Research, looks closely at the building expansion and alteration plans of American college libraries. The study presents detailed data on capital spending, current practices and future plans, specifying investment intent in critical areas such as information technology, new buildings, energy saving technology, furniture, information commons and other technology centres, auditoriums and classroom space, staff offices and collection storage space, among others.
- Universal design
- A practical guide to creating and re-creating interiors of academic libraries for teaching, learning, and research. Chandos, Oxford, 2012.
- University libraries and digital learning environments
- Ashgate, 2011. The digital environment offers opportunities and challenges for librarians in all aspects of their work - in information literacy, virtual reference, institutional repositories, e-learning, managing digital resources and social media.
- University libraries and space in the digital world
- Ashgate, 2013. A series of essays with an international perspective exploring recent developments including new build and refurbishment. With users at the forefront, chapters cover different aspects of learning and research support provision, shared services, and evaluation of space initiatives. Library staff requirements and green issues are outlined. The book also looks to the future, identifying the key strategic issues and trends that will influence and shape future library spaces.
See also
-
- Technology and digital library services
- A guide to resources on the impact of technology in libraries, with particular focus on developing digital library services.
Designing Libraries Essential Design Guidelines
-
- Managing a successful library design and furnishing project
- The guide draws on more than 30 years of Demco's experience as library designers and suppliers of library furnishings.
- pdf (769.47kb)
-
- Planning a successful library or archive move
- A step-by-step guide to moving, from forward project planning to risk management, packing, storage and relocation, created for Designing Libraries by Harrow Green.
- pdf (3,507.95kb)
-
- How to photograph your library
- Key points to consider when photographing libraries. This simple but practical advice produced for Designing Libraries by Point Eight, will help you to produce professional pictures you can be proud of.
- pdf (1,310.55kb)
