Gül Yücel Public Libraries and Flexible Planning: Istanbul Public Libraries Case Paper at BOBCATSSS 2017

1. Public Libraries and
Flexible Planning:
Istanbul Public
Libraries Case
Gül Yücel*
[*] Asst. Prof., Istanbul Gelişim University,
Engineering and Architectural Faculty,
Department of Architecture, Istanbul.
25-27 January 2017
Tempere, FINLAND

2. public library
architectural design
case study
conclusion
Design criteria, flexibility
planning
Istanbul public libraries case

3. •Physical sufficiency,
rich and qualified
inventory and good
serving are the main
elements of the
public library.
•The library design
depends on local
characteristics such
as demographic,
cultural and
economic aspects.
Public libraries are the core of community,
Kartal Public Library, İstanbul

4. For library planning;
•function,
•size,
•designated space,
•design features,
•accessible shelving,
•sign-posting,
•ambiance of the
library,
•electronic and
audiovisual equipment,
•safety and parking
are important issues
The profile of the public library users may change according to
the settlement characteristics.
Üsküdar, Şemsipaşa Public Library, İstanbul

5. Due to the
demographic changes
in community, new
requirements are
needed in the libraries
for adaptation, such as
additional services
area.
Some service areas
may be out of use
because of
demographic changes
in the community also.
Settlement population data is not enough information solely
about community profile for library designing.
Kadıköy Aziz Berker Public Library, İstanbul

6. During the
construction of a new
library, knowing the
community specifics,
the library users’
needs, the role of
library in the
community, the library
inventory, the
librarian-user
interactions, relations
with other institutions
and NGOs are factors
which affect the
planning.
The role of library in the community is key issue
Gaziosmanpaşa Public Library, İstanbul

7. Basic library building standards
IFLA basic library
building standards:
The recommended size
of a design area is 300-
500 to 2200-3300
square meters,
depending on settlement
population (5.000-
50.000).
Population limits can be
exceeded especially in
large cities.
Settlement population
data is not enough
information solely about
community profile for
library designing.
Avcılar Public Library, İstanbul

8. Evauation of existing libraries for new library design
The checklist prepared by IFLA for evaluation of existing libraries
for new library design, includes general information, building and
services issues.
General information: section facts and figures, location,
accessibility, sustainability, safety and security and flexibility
Buildings: Entrance area, materials, flooring, ceilings, acoustics,
openings, lighting, furniture, heating, ventilation and air
conditioning, installations fed through a wiring system, data, and
issues to do with sanitary areas
Services: service areas, shelving, user areas, children’s area,
young adults, staff areas, automation, and maintenance issues.

9. According to IFLA (2013), the flexibility assessment
includes questions such as:
1. Are spaces flexible enough to allow for change?
2. Does the building allow you to provide a variety of
services?
3. Is it possible to extend the building at a future date?
4. Is it possible to use some areas of the library outside
of normal opening hours for other activities (multi-
purpose halls, classrooms, etc.)?
5. Are there external areas pertaining to the library? If
this is the case, is it possible to enter them without
going through access control (electronic alarm
system)?
Evauation of existing libraries for new library design

10. •Most of the questions
are related with physical
changing capacity of
libraries.
• Existing open area is
important for expanding
the library in the future.
•The location of the
library is also important.
Even if it is located at the
center of the settlement,
there should be enough
expanding space or
open civic areas for
activities.
Evauation of existing libraries for new library design
Üsküdar, Şemsipaşa Public Library, İstanbul

11. (www.ibb.gov.tr)
Case study/ Istanbul Public Libraries & Flexible Planning

12. •The study is based on the assessment of existing public
libraries in Istanbul which are subject to the rules of the
Ministry of Culture and Tourism, General Directorate of
Libraries and Publications.
•Methodology of the study is to review the related literature,
assessment of existing public libraries and asses the
interviews was held with the public libraries managers.
•In total, 13 libraries of 35 libraries are examined.
•The study was carried out in parallel with the accessibility
and vulnerability research of existing public libraries which
was held August-December period of year 2015.
Case study/ Istanbul Public Libraries

13. Case study/ Istanbul Public Libraries
•Flexible planning parameters are evaluated on the existing
public libraries in Istanbul.
•Though the flexibility parameters are referenced from IFLA
samples, some local specifications are also taken into account.

14. There are 1130 public
libraries subject to the
rules of the Ministry of
Culture and Tourism,
General Directorate of
Libraries and
Publications of the
country.
Today, public libraries
serve more than 23
million users, however
only around 1,3 million
of those are registered
members in Turkey.
Case study/ Istanbul Public Libraries
Kadıköy Aziz Berker Public Library, İstanbul

15. Most of public library
buildings give services
in their original
building, which are not
designed as libraries.
Only a small part of
them is designed as a
library.
It is necessary to
examine existing
public libraries and
evaluate them together
with usage profiles and
to determine priority
issues in library
design.
Case study/ Istanbul Public Libraries
Gaziosmanpaşa Public Library, İstanbul

16. •During the interview with library
managers, changing conditions,
physical conditions and flexibility
problems are discussed as well as
the solution suggestions are
discussed during the interview.
•Main problem is insufficient
physical conditions and restrictions.
•Big part of libraries do not have
open plan and does not have
expanding areas or open areas.
•Physical changes or adding new
annexes are restricted or it is
impossible due to the conservation
criteria’s in historical buildings.
•Rapid changes in user profile are
another problem to respond the new
needs of the users.
Case study/ Istanbul Public Libraries
Üsküdar, Şemsipaşa Public Library, İstanbul

17. •Most of the public libraries are within the multi functional
buildings such as they are either within cultural centers, theaters,
youth centers, official institutions or within private offices.
•Parallel functions within the buildings affects the libraries
positively, such as if they are located within the cultural centers
or institutions.
•If the case is sharing, most examples are placed in the upper
floors of buildings.
•Even if they are invested or allocated buildings, public libraries
should be prepared and strengthened for the natural disasters.
Case study/ Istanbul Public Libraries

18. •Planning except the
basic service areas in
public libraries should
be flexible enough to
meet the needs in
during using period.
•Historical building
using process, new
library program or
special program
should be progressed
for historical buildings.
•Standard and/or
typical library projects
are not suitable for
every plot when it is
considered the needs
of the community and
users.
Flexible planning, special program for historical building,
location
Üsküdar, Selimiye Public Library, İstanbul

19. •Updating and
upgrading the
public libraries to
meet the
contemporary
needs of today’s
world will support
access to the
information,
exchange
information and
also creates
opportunities of
studying together.
Public library is informal learning place also, even though we
are in digital era.
Gaziosmanpaşa Public Library, İstanbul

20. •The location of
public libraries
within the
communities affects
the use and the
users. It should be
implemented within
the town planning
and policies and
also their locations
must support the
spatial planning of
the country to
strength the social
ties within the
community.
The location of public libraries within the communities affects
the use and the users.
Maltepe Public Library, İstanbul

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THANK YOU,
gul@gulyucel.com