A framework for planning academic library spaces
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/LM-01-2016-0001 |
| Published date | 11 January 2016 |
| Date | 11 January 2016 |
| Pages | 13-28 |
| Author | Fatt Cheong Choy,Su Nee Goh |
| Subject Matter | Library & information science,Librarianship/library management,HR in libraries |
A framework for planning
academic library spaces
Fatt Cheong Choy and Su Nee Goh
Nanyang Technological University, Singapore, Singapore
Abstract
Purpose –The focus on designing spaces for users in the last decade or so signifies the gradual
change in the mission of libraries from provision of resources to that of a pro-active partner in learning.
Planning for user space in support of learning is far more complex as it needs to take into account
the variety of users’needs and behaviour. Before specifying the actual layout and design of users’
spaces it is important to consider all the major factors that affect the use of the intended library space.
The purpose of this paper is to provide a guide to library planning base on the experience of the
authors at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Libraries.
Design/methodology/approach –The framework for planning library spaces developed at NTU
Libraries consists of four components –collaborative space, sanctuary space, interaction space and
community space. Discussion on the rationale of these spaces and suggestions for their implementation
will assist others in asking appropriate questions on their own library space planning exercise.
Findings –The paper reinforced the view that a good library building has to provide a wide variety of
spaces, some of which are contradictory as the needs of a student is different from another. A student
also has different needs at different times. Providing and balancing these needs is essential.
Originality/value –This paper provides a tried and tested conceptual framework for use by library
space designers.
Keywords Academic libraries, Collaborative spaces, Community spaces, Interaction spaces,
Library space planning, Quiet spaces
Paper type Research paper
1. Introduction
Academic libraries are no longer focused on developing accommodation space for
shelving of print and physical collections. It is difficult to justify to authorities who hold
the purse strings for new shelving spaces when the prevailing view is the inevitable
displacement of physical collections with the digital. Library spaces have gra dually
been remodelled to be student study and work space and learning commons, with
collection space pushed to the sides or out of the library building proper.
The move from accommodation of collections to focus on user space signifies the
major but gradual shift in the primary role of the academic library that has been
observed for some time. Academic libraries are changing from being a provider of
information resources to that of a facilitator and activist in the business of knowledge
acquisition by users in learning, teaching and research activities. Today, information
resources provided by an academic library to students occupy only a small fraction
of the total available information in the world. Instead, students are using a wide range
of information beyond that provided by their library.
However, the easy availability of information in abundance also makes it
difficult for students to use information appropriately and effectively. Thus, one of the
main roles of libraries today is to help students to be more effective information users
instead of merely providing materials and resources. The mission of an academic
library is thus much broader in scope and a notch up the food chain of the learning
business. For example, at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Libraries, the
Library Management
Vol. 37 No. 1/2, 2016
pp. 13-28
©Emerald Group Publis hing Limited
0143-5124
DOI 10.1108/LM-01-2016-0001
Received 4 January 2016
Revised 4 January 2016
Accepted 27 January 2016
The current issue and full text archive of this journal is available on Emerald Insight at:
www.emeraldinsight.com/0143-5124.htm
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Academic
library spaces
mission of the Library is “to enable staff and students to engage optimally with the
ever changing information environment in order to succeed in their research, learning
and teaching goals”.
2. Importance of physical library spaces
Physical space plays an important role in helping the library to achieve user-centric
missions. In many academic institutions, significant number of students pass through
library space daily. It is often said that the library on campus is a third place, a kind of
holding, in between and neutral space that serves as a transition between dormitory and
work. Students are in fact captive audience which third places like libraries can potentially
shape their learning behaviour and help them to achieve their academic goals.
We all live and work in spaces and enclosures that are largely created artificially.
The way in which spaces are shaped, organized and designed has an impact on our
personal well-being, work productivity and sense of community. This of course is the
raison d'être of the profession of architecture and interior design. Students need
appropriately configured and well designed spaces to suit the variety of activitie s they
engage in. In an era of rapid technological changes, widespread use of social media
communication and adoption of various learning modes, students today can choose a
wide range of activities to structure their daily lives to suit their needs and preferences.
These range from solitary reflection to participating in large community events.
To support learning and knowledge discovery work of students, libraries need to be part
of these activities by offering a variety of services, activities and programmes. Creating
effective library spaces where these can be carried out and where students reap the most
benefit is an important goal of the Library.
About ten years ago, NTU Libraries started planning library spaces to accommodate
the university’s rapid expansion of academic and research programmes and student
population. The Library expanded from three sites to eight today, with renovations and
changes to spaces regularly. We developed a planning framework and guide to assist us
in future space development. In essence, we believe that library spaces should cater to four
different needs –collaboration, sanctuary, interaction and community spaces. This paper
elaborates on this framework. Though we have not been entirely successful in securing
the desiredlibrary spaces to implementour plans, the framework serves as a useful guide
for thinking and planning.
3. Guides on planning library spaces: a brief literature review
Planning forlibrary buildings and renovationinvolves many considerationsthat relate to
understanding and predicting the needs of library users. As these needs change with
technology, pedagogy and indeed the larger educational landscape, library planning is
not simply a listingof desirable features and spaces required. In library buildingprojects
involving external space designers and architects, typicallya design brief is prepared by
the library to translate desirable outcomes of the library into specific space and facility
needs. This is thenused by the space designers to transform ideas and requirements into
physical reality. There are many guides to library planning, both conceptual and
practical, in the library literature. Some of the general guides are listed below.
Jochumsen et al. (2012) proposes a four space model that has been used in public
libraries inNordic countries. It providesdesired outcome of library spacesat a conceptual
level. The four are inspiration space; learning space; meeting space and performative
space. “The four spaces are not to be seen as concrete ‘rooms’in a physical sense, but
rather as possibilities that can be fulfilled both in the physical library and in cyberspace.
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