Digital library buildings

1. LIBRARY BUILDINGS IN
DIGITAL ENVIRONMENT
PARDEEP RATTAN
Librarian
Govt. College,SAS NAGAR,(Pb.)

2. PRESENTATION AGENDA
1. Introduction
2. Objective
3. Digital Library: What?
4. Digital Library Collection
5. Why revival of interest in library buildings?
6. Management of the project
7. Quality of design
8. Space planning and access
9. Recommendations
10. Conclusion

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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)

8. • 21st Century Libraries: Design
UNESCO 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.

9. MANAGEMENT OF THE
PROJECT
• Balance of cost, quality and time
Time Cost Cost
Project
Impact
Quality Time

10. 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 safety
• Size for growth- ability to accommodate expanded library
facilities, if required.
• Cost factors- purchase and development costs

11. DESIGN OF THE BUILDING
“First we shape our buildings and afterwards
our buildings shape us.” Winston Churchill
Ten Qualities Six deadly sins
1. Functional 1. Bad lighting
2. Adaptable 2. Inflexibility
3. Accessible 3. Bad location
4. Varied 4. Complex maintenance
5. Interactive 5. Insufficient work and
6. Conducive storage space
7. Environmentally suitable 6. Bad security
8. Safe and secure
9. Efficient
10. Suitable for information technology

12. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS
• Air-conditioning: A must
• Use external light to increase daylight
penetration
• Provide solar shading and internal blinds
• Readers tables in well lit areas
• Employ mixed-mode ventilation systems
• Maximize natural ventilation in public areas.
• Impact of the climatic changes to be kept in
mind

13. 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

14. 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
materials
• Access to internet
• Electronic access to electronic journals and e
books
• Café and refreshment area
• Group study activity areas or rooms

15. 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

16. 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.

17. 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