Library Design in the Digital
Age
Presentation by Bridgette
Billingslea
Library Architecture of the Past
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Libraries over the centuries have been designed to
hold the collective intellectual wealth of the times.
They have been symbols of wealth and power, as
well as centers of enlightenment and education,
centers for preservation of history and culture,
repositories for maps, and important legal and
religious documents.
In the case of the Vatican Library, (top photo), they
have also been designed to hide materials deemed
dangerous to religion. The Vatican Library kept
materials chained to the desks until 1613 and
ancient collections are locked away in secret rooms
and compartments. The Vatican amassed countless
literary and historical treasures while at the same
time restricting access to its collections.
The Monastic Library at St. Gall in Switzerland was
founded in the 6th century (bottom photo), it is an
example of a library designed for religious study.
Religious scholars traveled across Europe to study
here.
Religious and Monastic Libraries
• These libraries were designed primarily for the edification of its
members and for advancing the teachings of Christ. The design
emphasis is placed on using the richest materials, colorful ceiling
frescoes and paintings. The Abbey Library of St Gall (shown above),
was rebuilt in the late 16th century to include precious woods, gold
leaf scrollwork, rococo decorations and frescoes.
English Libraries
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Libraries associated with universities and academia shifted away from the highly decorative style
of design favored by religious institutions. The heavy religious ornamentation was replaced with
scores of wooden bookshelves and enclaves for quiet reflection and serious study. In the case of
the Bodleian Library at Oxford University (top left), prior to electrification in 1929, lighting was
provided solely by floor-to-ceiling windows.
Wren Library, Trinity College Cambridge University, (top right) designed in the late 16th and early
17th centuries. The checkerboard marble floor was installed to reduce the sound of foot noise.
The natural lighting was provided by 24 large bay windows set between three sided bookshelves
with study tables and chairs in between each alcove.
French Libraries
• The Mazarine Library Paris, France, built from 1660-1688 with oak
woodwork, ironwork on the galleries; busts made from bronze and
marble are found throughout the library
• Les Cabinets de Livres du Duc D’Amale Chantilly, France. This library
was built by a true bibliophile created to house his massive
collection of books, maps and artifacts.
Royal Libraries of Spain and
Portugal
• El Escorial in Spain, top left, was commissioned by King Phillip II as both a monastery
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and a repository for his literary treasures, maps, globes, paintings, and scientific
instruments. There are marble floors in 3 different shades of gray as well as vivid
ceiling frescoes.
The National Palace Library in Portugal, top right, was built by King Joao V as both a
monastic library and royal palace. It never reached it’s full grandeur having fallen
victim to the economic downturn in the Portuguese colonies, and an earthquake.
American Libraries
• The New York Public
Library Reading Room,
shown right, costs 9
million dollars to build in
1902, most of which was
donated by New York
City’s elite high society.
Many of the ornate
decorations seen in
European libraries, such
as frescoes, elaborate
woodwork, and marble
floors can also be found
in this library.
Washington, D.C.
• The idea for the National
Library of Congress was
conceived prior to 1800, it
opened November 1, 1897.
The Reading Room is shown
right. Although the style of the
building resembles those in
Paris and Vienna, all the work
was awarded to American
artisans, including, marble
workers, sculptors, tilers,
fresco painters, and artists that
specialized in stucco and
bronze.
Boston Anthanaeum
• Founded in 1807 by Boston’s elite, this library has carpets, fireplaces
and mahogany furniture which befits its use as both a library and a
private club. Membership is reserved for it’s shareholding members,
young associate members, and authorized university students and
researchers. The library is open to the public for exhibitions.
Library Design of the Present
• The Clinton
Presidential Library in
Arkansas has the
highest green rating
of any library in the
world
Open Access = Open Design in
Finland
Turku City Library, Finland
• Modern design built to harmonize with
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an existing historical structure.
The design makes use of glass and
natural light. The major design
premise used was flexibility. The
furniture can be moved to change the
function of the rooms and
accommodate new media.
Design includes café and meeting
rooms, a courtyard for cultural events,
reception and lounge area, a children’s
and youth section
Top photo, the “news market” a more
modern version of the periodicals
reading room.
Royal Library of Copenhagen ,
Denmark
Taipei Public Library, Taiwan
• The Taipei Public Library completed in
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2002 is the first green library in
Taiwan. Recycled wood and steel were
used in its construction. The roof of
the facility has plants and grasses
planted to absorb rainwater that is
channeled into recycle tanks. The
windows are equipped with shades
and lattices to block the light and
reduce the need for air conditioning.
Each level of the library has
wraparound verandas so that patrons
can sit outside and read.
As a result of the pleasing design
aesthetic this library patronage has
increased to four times the amount of
the other branches in the library
system.
Bibliotheca Alexandrina, Egypt
Bibliotheca Alexandrina
• Built near the ancient site
of the Great Library of
Alexandria in Alexandria
Egypt. This library has a
massive reading room
that receives indirect,
vertical light from the
north so that books and
manuscripts are not
exposed. Photos, top and
bottom right, book stacks
and Media Room of the
Alexandrina Library.
Library Design of the Future
• Design Concept for Exterior
and Interior of the National
Library of Prague
• This design includes a viewing
platform, café, and reading
rooms.
• Upon it’s completion in 2011,
the library will have 10 million
books stored underground,
accessible via an automated
storage and retrieval system.
Books will be distributed to
patrons via this automated
system within 5 minutes of the
request.
Future Design – Middle East
• King Abdullahaziz Library,
Saudi Arabia, both exterior and
interior views. This library
design based on 6 concepts:
the past and future, introvert
and extrovert, repository and
beacon, diversity and unity,
teamwork, and energy.
• The library broke ground in
May 2008 and should be
completed in 2011. The design
will include an auditorium,
cinema, library exhibition hall,
museum and archive.
Interior, King Abdullahaziz Library
Library Design in the Digital Age
Conclusion
• The Future of Library Design involves
building functional spaces for flexible use,
bringing together all types of information
and media in a one-stop fits all
aesthetically pleasing location allowing
open access to information for all.
Photo Credits
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Slide 1-Opening slide
Slide 2- http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2007/06/23/arts/23.vatican.span.jpg,
http://hitec.i.hosei.ac.jp/information/info08/info_koen081125_en.html
Slide 3- http://hitec.i.hosei.ac.jp/information/info08/info_koen081125_en.html
Slide 4-http://www.emilydickinsoninternationalsociety.org/oxford.html,
http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Europe/United_Kingdom/England/Cambridgeshire/Cambridge-315845/Things_To_Do-CambridgeTrinity_College-BR-1.html
Slide 5-http://www.ladir.cnrs.fr/ArtRaman2005/images/Mazarine-Salle-Lecture.jpeg,
http://www.pbase.com/marcdemoulin/image/41294100
Slide 6- http://www.photographyblogger.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/06/library15.jpg, http://www.linkinn.com/ Librophiliac Love
Letter A Compendium of Beautiful Libraries
Slide 7 http://a330.g.akamai.net/7/330/2540/20080908154421/www.libraryjournal.com/articles/images/LJ/20080915/ljx080902lbdfleet.jpg
Slide 8Slide 9-http://artsboston.org/images/org/7073/fifth_floor_straightened_smaller.jpg
Slide 10-Arno de la Chapelle, credit:http://www.e-architect.co.uk/finland/turku_city_library.html
Slide 11-Arno de la Chapelle, credit:http://www.e-architect.co.uk/finland/turku_city_library.html
Slide 12-Ralph Richter Photography
Slide 13-http://thegreenlibraryblog.blogspot.com/2008_10_01_archive.html
Slide 14-http://www.e-architect.co.uk/egypt/alexandria_library.html
Slide 15-http://www.e-architect.co.uk/egypt/alexandria_library.html
Slide 16- http://www.e-architect.co.uk/prague/national_library_prague.html
Slide 17- King Abdullahaziz Library, Saudi Arabia, http://www.e-architect.co.uk/saudi_arabia/king_abdulaziz_library.html
Slide 18- King Abdullahaziz Library, Saudi Arabia, http://www.e-architect.co.uk/saudi_arabia/king_abdulaziz_library.html
Information Sources
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Slide 1 - pages 62-69 from “The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World” by Jacques Bosser
Slides 2-3 - pages 124-125 from “The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World” by Jacques Bosser
Slide 4-pages 138-149 from “The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World” by Jacques Bosser
Slide 5-pages 84-85 and 113-114,”The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World” by Jacques Bosser
Slide 6- pages 190-201 from “The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World” by Jacques Bosser
Slide 7-pages 228-229 from “The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World” by Jacques Bosser
Slide 8-pages 218-220 from “The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World” by Jacques Bosser
Slide 9-pages 208-209 from “The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World” by Jacques Bosser
Slide 10-Humanities International Complete Clinton Library Receives Highest Green Building Rating.
Prologue Spring2008, Vol. 40 Issue 1, p63-63 2008 The article reports on the designation of the William J. Clinton
Library in Little Rock, Arkansas as one of the most energy efficient and environmentally friendly places to work in
the U.S. by the Green Buildings Council under its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED-EB)
Green Building program. It is noted that only 29 other buildings have achieved the LEED platinum designation in
the world. A Silver Certification was given to the Clinton Library when in opened in July 2004 under the LEED for
New Construction.
Slide 12- http://www.e-architect.co.uk/finland/turku_city_library.html
Slide 14-New Library World Vol. 109 No. 7/8, 2008pp. 321-336q Emerald Group Publishing Limited0307-4803
DOI 10.1108/03074800810888159
Slide 16- http://www.e-architect.co.uk/egypt/alexandria_library.html
Slide 17- http://www.e-architect.co.uk/prague/national_library_prague.html
Slide 18- http://www.e-architect.co.uk/saudi_arabia/king_abdulaziz_library.html
Slide 19- http://www.e-architect.co.uk/saudi_arabia/king_abdulaziz_library.html