Literature Review: Modern Public Library

II. Background:
Libraries are where books are kept and used for study. Many of us remember as a student borrowing books from
library to study for test, presentation or a semester project. We also have personal collection of our own books at
home on the shelf and organize it with our desk and chair makes it our study spot.

Libraries in general terms are connected with collection of books and study. The collection of books is what makes
libraries unique and recognizable to anyone. On the other hand, study is what is going to happen in the middle of
a collections of books on a shelf. This study is carried out only by sitting on a chair at a desk. All these characters
are the first notions that come to mind when thinking about libraries.

The historical initiation of library dates back to when mankind started to document things and store these
documents in a special room. That special room turn out to be a library. After the industrial revolution, where printing
machineries were invented. Many books of great thinkers, writers, journals, historians were published and stored in
libraries. During the enlighten period and after that studying these books were as part of mankind day to day life.
Reading novels, poems, plays were becoming tradition.

Explorers and discoveries were booming in the late 19th century. Books and written documents were published
during those times. Libraries become even more a study area rather than just a storage place. People needed
more time to read the achievements of great minds and works of the time needed the library very much. Even
students take time to do homework and assignments.

Library classification depends on the purpose it built for. If it is a private place used for collection of books and
document, we can say a homemade library place. In some residential designs such spaces are considered. The
other one the academic one. It’s called Academic or College library. We all are familiar with this one it’s specially
built a high school or built for a specific department or built for the whole campus to come and share knowledge.
The last one is what we are going to design it is called public libraries. These libraries are different and are also recent
update to the design and purpose of libraries They have changed the way libraries are perceived. They made a
library a gathering space for the users and in city wide they are becoming a public place like the museums or
theatre.
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 Literature Review: Modern Public Library

III. Public Library Services:

A. Book borrowing and lending:
The main task of public libraries is to provide the public with access to books and periodicals. The American Library
Association (ALA), addresses this role of libraries as part of "access to information" and "equity of access" part of
the profession's ethical commitment that "no one should be denied information because he or she cannot afford
the cost of a book or periodical, have access to the internet or information in any of its various formats."

Libraries typically offer access to thousands, tens of thousands, or even millions of books, the majority of which are
available for borrowing by anyone with the appropriate library card.

B. Digital engagement:
Part of the public library mission has become attempting to help bridge the digital divide. As more books,
information resources, and government services are being provided online (see e-commerce and e-
government), public libraries increasingly provide access to the Internet and public computers for users who
otherwise would not be able to connect to these services.

In addition to access, many public libraries offer training and support to computer users. Once access has been
achieved, there remains a large gap in people's online abilities and skills. For many communities, the public library
is the only agency offering free computer classes, information technology learning and an affordable, interactive
way to build digital skills.

C. Classroom and meeting space:

Public libraries have a long history of functioning as community centers or public spaces for reading, study and
formal and informal public meetings.

Today, in-person and on-line programs for reader development, language learning, homework help, free lectures
and cultural performances, and other community service programs are common offerings. The library Storytime,
in which books are read aloud to children and infants, is a cultural touchstone. Most public libraries offer frequent
Storytime, often daily or even several times a day for different age groups.
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 Literature Review: Modern Public Library

IV. Programming:
While in the past libraries were merely buildings to house their collections, most now utilize their space to offer
programs or clubs regularly. Although some libraries will have similar programs with different names, such as book
club, writing club or computer programs, most programs will differ based on the specific library and the community
they serve.

Adult programs:
Adult library programming in the United States initially had strong ties to adult education and adult literacy.

The New York Public Library offers over 93,000 programs to its patrons every year at its 87 different branches. Adult
programs include Excel classes, writing club, adult coloring club, chess club, knitting club, and a jewelry making
class.

Teen programs:
The Orange County Library System offers numerous teen activities such as a Maker/DIY program, Audio Equipment
Training, sewing classes, Knitting classes, ESL classes, and Chess club.

The Springfield Greene County Library has writing and book clubs as well as a tech training class, board game
nights, movie nights, craft classes, and a My Little Pony club.

Children's programs:
The Belmont Public Library offers an array of children's programs including story times for various age groups,
concerts, music classes, puppet shows, a maker club, and sing-along Saturdays.

The Chelmsford Public Library has a plethora of story times for ages birth to preschool. They also offer baby yoga,
stay and play time, toddler rhyme time, a dads and donuts day, and an annual Gingerbread Festival.

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 Literature Review: Modern Public Library

V. BUILDING ATTRIBUTES
Types Of Spaces: There are seven broad types of public library space:
 Collection space (including public electronic workstation space)
 User seating space - Non-assignable space (including mechanical space)
 Staff work space - Special use space
 Meeting space

 Accessible:
Various types of disabilities should be considered including those with visual, learning, mobility, & hearing impairments.
 Aesthetics:
Provide natural daylighting where possible but consider effects of light on collections to reduce damage.
Provide visual contrast and use differences in colors, textures, and patterns to create an engaging experience and
differentiate spaces.
 Secure / Safe:
Fire protection, occupant safety and health, and natural hazards mitigation, as well as security for building occupants
and assets.
- Fire department access - Mass notification system
- Fire hydrants - Smoke detection system
- Fire rated construction materials - Fire alarming system
- Enough fire exit access

 Sustainable:
Designing with integrated process that takes into account: the materials, operations, and health and well-being of the
users.
Energy insulation and Durable and changeable materials.

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 Literature Review: Modern Public Library

STEP 1: THE SERVICE POPULATION

A projection of the needs of the design (service) population for 20 years.
Population estimates are generated from project site analysis and sample counting of the residential and commercial
areas.

STEP 2: NEEDS FOR COLLECTION SPACE

the collection size must also respond to the 20-year projection.
 Calculate Space Needs for Books
 Calculate Space Needs for Non-print Items

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 Literature Review: Modern Public Library

STEP 3: SPACE NEEDS FOR ELECTRONIC WORKSTATION SPACE

 Space Needs for Public Access Computer Stations
 Space Needs for Computer Workstations
 Space Needs for Microfilm or Microfiche Workstations

STEP 4: SPACE NEED FOR USER SEATING

 In general, public libraries should provide at least 5 seats for every 1,000 users in its service population.
 Calculate Square area Needs for User Seating

STEP 5: SPACE NEEDS FOR STAFF WORK AREAS

 Staff space should include space for computers for online access to outside resources.
 On average, the space needed for staff work areas is approximately 150 square feet per work area.

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 Literature Review: Modern Public Library

STEP 6: THE SPACE NEEDS FOR MEETING ROOMS:

 meeting space for library- and community- sponsored meetings or events.

STEP 7: SPACE NEEDS FOR SPECIAL-USE AREAS:

 Display Case, Index Table, Staff Locker, Vertical Files etc…

STEP 8: SPACE FOR BOH AND OFFICES:

 Required space for offices, staff toilets and back of house areas.

VI. LIBRARY PROGRAM:

Dia. 01: Programing Bubble Diagram Dia. 02: Major interaction zoning diagram
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