This document discusses envisioning the contemporary public library as a space for innovation in the proposed design of the Abuja Public Library. It begins by outlining the evolving role of public libraries from knowledge repositories to multifunctional community hubs. The document then presents the problem statement that Nigerian public libraries need to adapt services to the digital age. The aim is to investigate how traditional library activities can be integrated with innovative spaces in the new design. The objectives, research questions, scope and literature review on the evolution of public library design and typologies are also summarized.

1. ENVISIONING THE CONTEMPORARY LIBRARY AS AN OF INNOVATIVE
SPACE IN THE DESIGN OF PROPOSED ABUJA PUBLIC LIBRARY
DEBORAH, ZARMA
P19EVAT8003
DEPARTMENT OF ARCHITECTURE
FACULTY OF ENVIRONMENTAL DESIGN
AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSSITY ZARIA
FEBUARY,2023

2. The public library is a local gateway to knowledge and information that provides a basic condition for lifelong learning
( Aslam & Seher, 2018).
Traditionally, public libraries were known as the public repository of knowledge and information but contemporary
public libraries are more multifunctional; providing spaces for different activities (Marino & Lapintie, 2015).
INTRODUCTION

3. The traditional view of libraries as mere physical information repositories that provide regular bibliographical services is being
restructured from indexing, cataloguing, extracting, borrowing, to a wider, more inspiring, and more brilliant image.
Public libraries have continued to evolve and adapt their services in order to thrive in a world of constant change.
Public libraries are projected to become an attractive and welcoming space for anyone in search of knowledge and innovation,
no matter who
they are or where they come from. (Abutayeh, 2021).
INTRODUCTION

4. INTRODUCTION
Innovation is the introduction of novelties; the alteration of what is established by the introduction of new
elements or forms” (Oxford English Dictionary Online, 2018).
While creativity is the process of producing new ideas, innovation is the process of generating and applying such creative ideas by
converting them into products,services and business practices (Ramjaun,2022).
Somarajan, Esmai, & Mohamed, (2022) gave three reasons why libraries shouldinnovate;
1. The need to adapt to a changing environment
2. The need to improve existing services
3. The need to make use of new opportunities.

5. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Rapid advancement in ICT has compelled libraries to adapt and evolve their functions in order to justify their
existence in the changing information environment (Marino & Lapintie, 2015).
While Contemporary libraries in advanced countries have evolved and have been remodeled to provide a variety of services using a
wide range of multimedia to reach a multitude of diverse audience (Shonhe & Jain 2019). The public library in Nigeria today, is more
of a space to prepare for public examinations such as professional body exams and the General Certificate in Education (GCE)
because Nigeria is fundamentally an oral-literate society ( Akintunde,2017).

6. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Previous studies such as Audu (2019) demonstrated ways to retrofit Dr. Abubakar Imam
public Library
Minna library to meet users’ satisfaction. Sambo (2021) worked on integrating contemporary user facilities in the design of
Hybrid Public Library Abuja but none of them have worked with a focus on integrating library use with innovative activities.
The concept of redesigning and transforming the public library space it has been an emerging trend worldwide in
recent years; it is therefore timely to examine what this means for Nigerian libraries. Hence, the need to carry out a
study to attempt to fill the gap of redesigning the public library space to accommodate the 21st century users and
make libraries relevant to them.

7. JUSTIFICATION
In recent times, public libraries have undergone several changes which have predominantly been ascribed to
rapid advances in Information and Communication Technologies. Technology has rapidly transformed the way we access information.
Library users’ needs and preferences are helping to drive the change in libraries. ( Akwang, 2021).
Contemporary public libraries therefore need to redefine, to diversify their activities and services so that they can face the challenges of the
new information and communication environment. (Tirziman, 2018). This concept has failed to incorporate the dynamics of the current
library users.

8. AIM & OBJECTIVES
This research aims at investigating how the traditional public library activities can be integrated with innovative
activities in the design of an innovation hub.
1. To identify the shifts that has taken place in the
21st century public library space.
2. To establish ways in which library and innovative
activities can be seamlessly integrated into public
libraries in Nigeria
3. To demonstrate the outcome of the findings in the
design of a proposed contemporary public library
Abuja.
OBJECTIVES

9. RESEARCH QUESTIONS
1. What are the features and trends of the contemporary public library space?
2. How has public libraries responded to the changing trends of the public library?
3. What is the function of the public library space in the 21st century?
4. How can the results of the study be demonstrated in the design of a contemporary public
library?

10. SCOPE
The scope of the research will be limited to providing an architectural solution to the effect of the changing public
library space and exploring how the traditional public library space can be transformed into an innovative space.

11. LITERATURE REVIEW
Evolution of Public Libraries; The Shift in Architectural Typologies
1.Libraries of Antiquity
2.Medieval Libraries
3.Renaissance and Reform Age Libraries
4.Industrial Age Libraries
5.Modern Period Libraries
Public Library Design during the Late 19th Century to Mid-20th Century
The basic model for the design of public libraries was developed in 19th century. These buildings leaned towards grand appearances, featuring ornate spaces
with cathedral-like attributes befitting seriousness of purpose. (Gisolfi, 2019). The focus of this era, was warehousing and protection of materials rather than
circulating them. This model changed gradually over the course of the 20th century, largely as a result of the philanthropy of Andrew Carnegie. ( Gisolfi,
2019).

12. LITERATURE REVIEW
Public Library Design in the Mid to Late 20th Century
The characteristics of public library in this era were;
1. A quiet place (no talking, food or drink)
2. A repository for books, large areas devoted to stacks and the collections
3. A circulation desk for manual check-out and return
4. A community room
5. An extensive collection of encyclopaedias and other reference materials
6. An inspiring place, often the main reading room
Emerging Trends of the Public Library Today
Today’s library looks significantly different from most of its predecessors. The changes in library design are clear: the library is no longer a storehouse for
books; (Gisolfi, 2019). The typical characteristics of today’s 21st-century library are;
1. An informal community cultural centre
2. Comfortable seating spaces interspersed within the various collections
3. Increase in digital materials, and reduced space devoted to the book collections

13. LITERATURE REVIEW
Roles of the Public Libraries
public libraries serve two vital and timeless roles namely:
1. Public Libraries serving as Community Hubs
Libraries shape communities. They are the reflection of their communities. They provide space where anyone can gather to learn, share, work, reflect,
study, collaborate, and socialize. Free of charge. They are the “Living Rooms” of their communities with no financial, class, cultural, or educational
barriers. Libraries enhance lives, resulting in healthier and more prosperous communities. (Palmer, 2021)
2. Public Libraries serving as Knowledge Facilitators
Libraries offer knowledge in the form of physical books and online materials. They facilitate the sharing of knowledge through reference services,
workshops and community presentations.

14. LITERATURE REVIEW
Innovation occurs across a broad spectrum of library services. These include the physical
library environment, lifelong learning, community engagement, events and collections.
(Nicholson, 2019).
Public libraries have a strong tradition of innovation in transforming their services to respond to changing
environments, external pressures and user expectations. (Nicholson, 2019
Innovation in libraries is the process by which library services evolve to be calibrated to the changing needs of users
by offering new or revamped services incorporating new digital technologies and by supporting for new paradigms
of information seeking behavior by users (Yeh and Walter, 2020).

15. LITERATURE REVIEW
Spaces to found in an innovation hub
1. Inspiration Space.
Libraries can inspire meaningful experiences through interior design that encourages “play, surprise and new ways of using the library
space”. ( Jochumsen, Hvenegaard , & Rasmussen, 2012).
2. Learning Space.
A place where people can discover and learn new things. These areas may offer workshops, access to technology, collaborative and individual
workspaces, and activity-based, playful zones for children
3. Meeting Space.
This space encourages connection through open, relaxed venues. Connection may occur through random interpersonal interactions or organized
meetings with specific topics. It requires flexible design for small and intimate spaces, as well as areas designed for larger gatherings.

16. LITERATURE REVIEW
4. Performative Space
These spaces, often called “Maker Spaces,” offer materials and information to help visitors “create” content, including support and presentations
from local experts such as professional artists and technological
5. Collaborative Space
In a society that increasingly encourages collaboration for work and learning purposes more patrons and businesses will cluster in groups that are noisier than
what was once allowed in traditional libraries.
6. Quiet Work/Study Space
Wi-Fi throughout libraries allows individuals to work anywhere they would like, but dedicated quiet zones enable focused work. In addition to open workspace,
visitors can book office space or chairs that “shield against sound and have room for a portable computer” (Palmer, 2021).

17. LITERATURE REVIEW
DesignCriteriaforContemporaryLibraries
Libraries need to be innovative in order to sustain their institutional existence and present their new roles to the users. The new design
criteria for contemporary libraries of the 21st century include;
1. Urban Location and Accessibility
Libraries need to be located at a place that can be easily accessed by everyone, including the physically challenged.
2. Visibility, Aesthetics and symbolism
Libraries should make their presence felt in the urban environment with bold and magnificent architectural form and façade that reflects the value
that society attaches to knowledge by becoming the symbol of a new kind of environment at the hub of urban

18. LITERATURE REVIEW
Access to Collections:
Access should be provided for both print and digital materials
Learning Processes
Areas should be provided in the library that support both individual learning and learning by doing together in order to meet different user needs.
Sustainability
Libraries shouldaddress environmental values by using recyclable materials such as steel, glass and wood, as well as innovative lighting, energy and air
conditioning concepts. Indoor and outdoor continuity shouldbe ensured.
Smart and Comfortable Interior Elements
Libraries should have various kinds of indoor elements for many reasons such as function, collection types, and user diversity (Odabaş & Akkaya, 2020).
Table and seating elements can be examined in separate groups with different sizes, types, textures

19. METHODOLOGY
This study will use qualitative research method.
Interview and observation method of data collection will be used. Case study will be carried out to study examples of public libraries that
inco-operate some form of ICT and innovation activities.
DATA COLLECTION
Methods of Data Collection
1. Observation survey
2. Interview
3. literature review
4. case studies
INSTRUMENTS OF DATA COLLECTION
1. Interview schedule
2. Case study checklist
3. Photographs
4. sketches

20. SAMPLE AND SAMPLING TECHNIQUE
The sampling technique to be adopted to obtain the adequate sample will be a non-probability purposive sampling technique. The sample
size for this study will include;
1. Public libraries in active use by all age groups in Abuja.
2. Public libraries that incorporates ICT / Innovation
3. Librarians and library patrons of the three selected Public libraries Nigeria.
The selected public libraries are;
1. City library Abuja
2. National library Abuja
3. National Library of Nigeria Headquarters, Abuja.

21. PROCEDURE FOR DATA ANALYSIS
Data collected on each case study, interview and visual survey will be carefully analyzed and presented in different formats which will
include ;
1. Diagrammatic representation
proper representation of data will be made by the use of sketches and also where drawings/ sketches will not do or are not available, it
will be supported with pictures.
2. Photographs
Pictures of the existing cases will be taken and documented
3.Tables
Data collected on this research from the case studies will be documented
and represented on assessment tables.