“Changing Spaces”: The New Designs of Libraries as Community Centers

Many libraries in the 21st century are changing their main focus from books in the print form to serve other needs of the community. Users are looking more for a place to work, to study or to gather rather than purely a place to find a book to read. One library director, Dan Gjelten, said “We’re moving books out and moving comfortable new furnishings in….and [also] replacing them with coffee shops.” Libraries have historically been a social institution and will continue to be so, but in a different physical environment.

This article mainly features architects discussing the physical changes of libraries. Architects are stating that the change of library design bridges across the divide of public and academic libraries. Both are serving the user needs for a place to come together, interact, and learn together. It is important to study exactly what the particular community needs in order to gain the funding for a large library design project like these. They also noted that with a smaller space for circulating materials, less full-time staff is necessary. This could contain costs to the new library spaces.

This article notes that one inspiring model of the change of library design to a community center is the central library in Amsterdam, Netherlands. The library has many amenities including a radio station, three restaurants, a bar and an organic market.

Here is the link to the full article;
http://www.libraryjournal.com/lj/community/buildingandfacilities/891656-266/changing_spaces_exploring_future_user.html.csp

Would your community benefit from a change in your public libraries design?

What are the negatives to losing space for physical materials circulating the library?

Would you like a public library like the one noted in Amsterdam?

Kelley, M. (2011, September 27). Changing Spaces: Exploring Future User Needs, Sustainability, and Value: Library by Design. In Library Journal Archive. Retrieved November 6, 2012