Tarlac State University

College of Architecture and Fine Arts

Research No. 1

PLANNING A UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

(Academic Library)

INOCENCIO, RYAN T.

ARCHI-2B SY. 2022-2023

 INTRODUCTION

Library has always been the heart and brain of a university. Its objective is to support
the academic programmes of the university by providing relevant information for learning
and teaching. However, 21st century technology made gathering information easy to support
students and educators in academics. 21st century technology made learning easy; with
internet you can access any information; news, articles, magazines, researches, books etc. If
internet is able to aid students and educators in their academics anywhere, then why do we
even need libraries?

This is the biggest obstacle that library has in 21 st century, whereas it once seemed like the
best answer to the question “Where can I find…?” but now internet is the answer. That is
why students no longer make library the first stop to do research; rather the first stop to take a
nap.

This change in process of consuming information in hard copy to multimedia digital form has
moved the method of researching in libraries to browsing in internet. This leads to the topic
of this research, what is a university library and how to plan it? How can we boost the
function and importance of university library in response to current trends and needs of
modern community?

History

Libraries can be said to have existed for almost as long as the first records. The first
libraries was appeared five thousand years ago in Mesopotamia and the oldest known library
is believed to be The Library of Ashurbanipal, which was founded around 7 th century B.C.
The library was named after the great king Ashurbanipal, ruler f Assyrian Empire, the library
is a collection of 30,000 clay tablets organized according to matter. The tablets are from
Babylonian and Assyrian wide variety of documents, both administrative and literatures.

By 1338, the first academic library took shape, the library at Sorbonne (University of Paris),
contained over 1700 volumes of lectures. More and more lectures and copies of books being
collected libraries became the powerhouse of every academic institution.

Moving to 1940s when computers were introduced to universities for education. Computers
are being developed and slowly digital system is being introduced. Precondition for this
changes from hard copy to digital information started in 1950s, digitization changed the way
we work, shop, bank, communicate, study etc. Moving from paper-copy to digital-copy may
be time consuming but the end result is convenience.

January 1, 1983 is considered the official birth of internet were all networks could be
connected by a universal language. The internet changed the way people do everything, one
is accessing knowledge. In records, the first digital book or e-book was published in 1971
when Project Gutenberg digitized the Declaration of Independence. However, it was not until
early 2000s that electronic textbooks were pushed for the use of free and open-source e-books
in schools.

This digitization of information declined the purpose of academic libraries, where books,
lectures or any literature works production in hardcopy is no longer the trend.

Reference Literatures

(Beth, 2015) 21st century libraries should be a learning destination when schools
reimagine them as open, transparent spaces that invite student communication and
collaboration. Since libraries existed approximately 2600 BCE as an archive of recorded
knowledge. From tablets to e-books, libraries reinventing themselves as content become more
accessible and their role become less about housing tomes and more about connecting and
constructing knowledge. Cushing Academy in Ashburnham, Massachusetts announces its
plans for “Bookless” library in 2009. A database of millions of digital resources of 20,000-
volume of collected books, and a café replaced circulation desk. With this transition in space
change the way student study and use library space. “Library to Learning Commons”,
printed books still play a critical role in supporting learners, but digital technologies offer
additional pathways to learning and teachers no longer need a library simply for access.
Instead, they require a place for collaboration and allow students to understand lectures from
variety of sources. In other words, instead of an archive, libraries are becoming a learning
commons. The design and implementation of the new library at Chicago’s Francis W. Parker
School epitomized this concept.

(Isaac, 2011) the most crucial component of the 21st century library is the users.
According to (Nwalo, 2003, as Isaac, 2011 cited) the library user is undisputedly, the most
important person in library settings. Nwalo (2003) defined library users as anybody who
visits the library with the purpose of exploiting its resources to satisfy their information
needs. According to (Isaac, 2011) library users now are requiring 21 st century technologies to
access library collections on their own, such as, computers that can locate books that they
need and information about the library services. “User Profile” 21 st century library users are
being identified according how they are skill using computers. From Computer Literate User
to Computer Illiterate user, library should be able to accommodate these users and properly
service. Also, there are Abusers (Isaac, 2011) among the users of the library of 21 st century
are unauthorized users. They are very crafty in gaining illegitimate access to library resources
available online. In 21st century library settings, library should be able to identify the users
and properly assist them and satisfy their needs ad at the same time be able to protect the
information collected. Isaac (2011) concluded that library must adapt to this 21 st century
users’ needs and librarian or administrators must be computer savvy.

(Deborah, 2020) university libraries struggle to keep on rapidly changing technology

and associated adjustments in teaching and building strategy. These adjustments impacted
mostly the facilities due to significant higher demand of students for wireless internet,
boosters for better reception of personal devices and on-demand for almost limitless access of
electrical outlets. These needs of 21st century users are the struggle of most traditional
libraries along with librarians and administrators that are not trained to assess space needs of
non-traditional library users. “Library as Place” it is important to remember that some view a
library as merely a space—a space to store books or to provide study tables. However, as
people create memories and make social connections in a space, that space becomes a place
(Mathews and Soistmann, 2016 as cited by Deborah, 2020). Libraries often become a place
between home and work where people can connect and unwind. “It is a place where people
come together on levels and in ways that they might not in the residence hall, classroom, or
off-campus locations” (Freeman, 2005 as cited by Deborah, 2020). One of the goals of 21 st
century academic libraries should be to create a “sticky” library by “creating the right
environment to retain students throughout the day” (The UK Higher Education Space
Toolkit, 2019, as cited by Deborah, 2020). 21st century libraries should adapt to traditional
and non-traditional library settings create comfortable spaces that encourage collaboration
between users and faculty. Designing libraries to accommodate traditional library users and
non-traditional users, providing spaces that are appropriate according to their needs.
1. What is University Library and How Do We Plan It?

University Library or Academic Library is a library that attached to a higher education

institution to aid education and teaching. Traditionally, most school library is a place where
students go during their break time to access limited books to read, to go research or lecture
activities. However, a 21st century library needs to adapt to the rapid change and demand of
modern learning and teaching. To adapt non-traditional library settings, but not completely
shifting from traditional library.

1.2. Challenges in Planning

Transition to non-traditional library settings – this is one of the problem that

needs focus when planning 21st century library. Library need to adapt to the
changes not completely change.

Users’ interest – 21st century technology made learning and teaching easy and
accessible through internet, libraries needs to keep up to the growing interest of
students and encourage them to use the facility for both traditional system and
digital system.

Location – the location should have better reception for personal devices aside
from away from noises and traffic.

Spaces and Accessibility –creating separate space and access for faculty and
students, also designated places for varieties of users are needed.

1.3. Things to Consider in Planning the Spaces

Users Preferences – According to (Nwalo, 2003, as Isaac, 2011 cited) the library
user is undisputedly, the most important person in library settings. Nwalo (2003)
defined library users as anybody who visits the library with the purpose of
exploiting its resources to satisfy their information needs. Users are anybody that
visits the library, in this case we can assume variety of preferences; traditional
users, non-traditional users, introvert person, group of students, and such.
 Accessibility for Special Need Users – Special needs/ with disability users must
receive equal services as normal user. Library should be accessible to this users
and the facility spaces should be able to accommodate.

Proximity to Classrooms - library should be away from classrooms to avoid too

much noise that can reach the users inside or with the proximity of the library.

Spaces and Movements - 21st Century Libraries should have a floorplan that
makes detailed provisions for multi-purpose spaces including areas for study,
research, instruction, project group work, and administration. In planning spaces
movement of users should be observe to properly place this spaces for easy
access.

Noise Control - Space in the library should be planned so that noise factors are
minimized, with at least some parts of the library free from external noise. This
may require the construction of library lofts, adjacent library gardens, or enclosed
rooms that are free from noise.

Sufficient Lighting - Libraries should have appropriate and sufficient light, which
may be natural (through the extensive use of large windows) or artificial

Ventilation and Temperature - Libraries should be kept at an appropriate room

temperature (e.g., air-conditioning, ventilation with fans) to ensure good working
conditions year round as well as the preservation of the book collections.

Application of 21st Century Technology – spaces such as media rooms,

electrical outlets, wireless connectivity etc.

Emergency Measures – safety is always top priority, users and also the
collections of the library.

1.4. Space Planning Requirements

Space planning will prioritize that mentioned in “Things to Consider in Planning
Spaces”, whereas; planning will focus in innovating traditional library with 21 st
century standards. In Space Planning for library we can include consideration such
as:
 Numbers of users
 Appropriate location
 Division of spaces from administration and ordinary users
 Traffic Control
 Space relations
 Circulation

1.4.1. Type of Spaces

 Collection space
 Hi Electronic workstation space
 Multimedia workstations
 User seating space (individual and group)
 Staff/faculty work space
 Meeting space
 Special use space
 Non-assignable space (including mechanical space)
 Outdoors space (including coffee/juice bar)

1.4.2. Spaces Relations / Bubble Diagram

2. Why Do Young People Nowadays Don’t Use Library Anymore?

Traditional libraries are not able to keep up with the rapidly changing technology. 21 st
century technology made studying and gathering information easy and more accessible, using
internet, students now can access almost limitless information online to aid them in their
studies, which libraries struggles to provide due to limited access. Library services are not
sufficient to support students, such as, providing internet access to extend their research since
library has limited collections of information. Spaces is not enough to accommodate students
with varieties activities that they need to accomplish to finish their studies or research. 21 st
century lifestyle affects the interest of young people nowadays. Students often visit cafe to
review, do homework or research. Ambiance and comfortable is what they aim visiting this
places to study to boost them to stay longer and focus more into their works, also addition to
the coffee and snack that they get while staying they can also access internet for free.

3. Why Libraries are Important in One Community?

Library is essential. Library plays a vital role in a community, it provides support to

the members of the community to access information and resources. Library also serve as
cultural and heritage asset since it stores and collect information that the community have
gathered overtime. Libraries also assist new generations to further and expand their
knowledge.

4. How Do We Create/Plan Library That Respond to the Current Trend and Needs?

“I knew that I wanted the library to be a campfire space where students could gather,
a collaborative space where they could work together in small groups, a transparent space,
where learning in the school could be “seen” through the windows, a more barrier free space
in terms of student use, and an innovative space, where the design would reflect the
innovations that are going on inside our campus” (Carole, 2008). Library should be barrier-
less to promote collaborative environment. “The libraries of the 21st century provide a
welcoming common space that encourages exploration, creation, and collaboration between
students, teachers, and a broader community” (Beth, 2015). Library must be plan to adapt
with 21st century needs of users, not just applying 21st century technology of digital world
but also appropriately creating space that can accommodate services that the users need.
Design application like Redesigned Westlake library in Texas by Carole, which includes
glass walls, making the space literally transparent, as well as an outdoor area with a "juice
bar" -- combining the concepts of an Apple Genius Bar and a Starbucks.

CONCLUSION

Libraries are essential in a community by providing information and resources.

Despite the rapid change because of 21st century technology along with demands of the users
for access. We need innovation not change. By thorough observation and study of 21st
century behavior of the users and their needs we can create a library that can provide the
services that users needs and help them rise along with technology. Because in the end we
need space that encourages positivity and inspiration for the users to learn. As (Carole, 2008)
quoted “The only important thing about design is how it relates to people.” – Victor Papanek.
REFERENCE LIST

Beth, H. (2015, January 14). 21st-Century Libraries: The Learning Commons. Edutopia.
https://www.edutopia.org/blog/21st-century-libraries-learning-commons-beth-holland

Isaac, E. A. (2011). The Anatomy of Library Users in 21st Century. Library Philosophy and
Practice (e-journal). https://digitalcommons.unl.edu/libphilprac/535

Deborah, C (2020, June 17). Creating Library Learning Spaces that Supports Twenty-First
Century Pedagogy and Student Learning. Theses and Dissertations.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/8527

Carole, F. (2008, April 8). Thinking About Library Design. Not So Distant Future.
https://futura.edublogs.org/2008/04/08/thingking-about-library-design