LIBRARY BUILDINGS IN DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT

PARDEEP RATTANLibrarian

Govt. College,SAS NAGAR,(Pb.)

PRESENTATION AGENDA

1.  Introduction 2.    Objective3.    Digital Library: What?4.    Digital Library Collection 5.   Why revival of interest in library buildings?6.   Management of the project7.   Quality of design8.   Space planning and access9.   Recommendations 10. Conclusion

INTRODUCTION

Libraries are live organizations, so consideration of future needs- ‘Future thinking’- is very important. As the fifth law of library science given by Dr. S.R. Ranganathan (considered as Father of Library and Information Sciences in India) suggest “Libraries are growing organisms”, the libraries are facing the dual challenge of accommodating rapidly changing populations and keeping pace with information and communication technology (ICT). There arises the important question of how to organize and manage the ever growing size of collections varied in nature, the services the users, the staff etc. in a systematic manner and that too in a limited space. The answer to this question is DIGITAL LIBRARIES.

OBJECTIVE

• The objective of this study is to know a)  What impact the new technology of ICT has left on our traditional libraries in terms of

library buildings and collections and b) How we should change our space requirements to accommodate the process of shifting from traditional library to digital collection keeping in mind the location, design, quality and quantity of collection and services that are to be provided.

DIGITAL LIBRARY (DL)

It is defined as a library consisting of a resources and services supported by specialized staff with an objective to select, structure, distribute and preserve collection of digital works to support the interest of a defined community of users.

Digital Academic Library (DAL) is not an alternative but real value additions for traditional library services.

DIGITAL LIBRARY COLLECTION

The collection in a DAL is available in digital form organized on computers and available over a network having following collections:

        e publications        e journals        online databases        e theses        multimedia i.e. born digital        CDROMs etc.

WHY REVIVAL OF INTEREST IN LIBRARY BUILDINGS?

Factors leading to change in the design of 21st Century Library Buildings

Libraries to network New information technology especially electronic data

collection (Print to digital documents).  Greater community and educational role for libraries    Growth in life long learning and expansion in higher

education. User friendliness and customer care (ownership to access) Merging media (listening to audiotapes or watching a

video no longer needs separate areas)

• 21st Century Libraries: DesignUNESCO and IFLA list a series of design criteria and facilities to be considered for planning a new library-

The library collection: Books, Periodicals, sound recordings other non print

and digital resources.

Reader seating space: Serious reading, leisure reading one to one tutoring.

Staff facilities: Workspace including PC workstations, rest space during

breaks and meeting rooms.

Technology: Public access workstations, printers, CDROM stations, facilities

for listening and recording.

 Circulation: Both for public and staff

Mechanical services: Elevators, ventilation, heating, cooling, etc.

MANAGEMENT OF THE PROJECT

• Balance of cost, quality and time

Time Cost

Project

Quality

Cost

Impact

Time

DESIGN QUALITY

Access- site that encourages people to use the library is most important.

Location- satisfactory and acceptable to the population being served.

Solar and wind orientation- much of energy demand in buildings is for light and climate control. Natural light and ventilation.

Visibility- prominent position and have natural views User and staff safetySize for growth- ability to accommodate expanded library

facilities, if required.   Cost factors- purchase and development costs

DESIGN OF THE BUILDING“First we shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us.” Winston Churchill

Ten Qualities

1. Functional

2. Adaptable

3. Accessible

4. Varied

5. Interactive

6. Conducive

7. Environmentally suitable

8. Safe and secure

9. Efficient

10. Suitable for information technology

Six deadly sins

1.  Bad lighting

2.  Inflexibility

3.  Bad location

4. Complex maintenance

5. Insufficient work and storage space

6.  Bad security

ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS

Air-conditioning: A mustUse external light to increase daylight

penetration Provide solar shading and internal blindsReaders tables in well lit areasEmploy mixed-mode ventilation systems Maximize natural ventilation in public areas.   Impact of the climatic changes to be kept in

mind

SECURITY AND SAFETY

 Relates to fabric of the building: Earthquakes, lightening and other climatic hazards.

  Safety of collections: theft, defacing, fire safety

   Safety of library personnel and users

 Policy of disaster management must be adhered to

SPACE PLANNING AND ACCESS

“When good intentions meet bad planning library users pay the price”

Woodward, 2007

    Access to and loan of e books Access to journals and other research materialsAccess to internetElectronic access to electronic journals and e books   Café and refreshment area  Group study activity areas or rooms

RECOMMENDATIONS

For the libraries of the 21st centuries having digital

collections and traditional services as well to work in

tandem, the library buildings or the workspaces must

be

Functional, adaptable, accessible and varied

Environmentally suitable, safe and secure

Suitable for information technology

CONCLUSION

The librarians have a greater responsibility

themselves to have the proper mindset first

so as to enforce the latest techniques of ICT

in their routine work culture and to enable the

library systems to stand tall against all odds.

QUOTATIONS

1. “A library is not a luxury but one of the necessities of the life.”

Henry Ward Beecher

2. “When good intentions meet bad planning library users pay the price.”

Woodward, 2007

3. “A room without books is like a body without a soul.”Markus Tullius Cicero- Roman Politician

4.  “First we shape our buildings and afterwards our buildings shape us.”

Winston Churchhil, 24th Nov. 1951