DESIGNING LIBRARIES
Oulu Central Library, Finland. Photo © Hannu Rytky
own operations – and encouraging individuals and commu- nities they serve to do the same. Buildings should be as ‘green’ as possible, stock should cover environmental topics, events and activities should be pro- grammed around the green agenda, and all aspects of service provision should be considered from a green perspective – from membership cards to plastic book covers.
Cultural regeneration and iconic libraries Over the past decade or so, new libraries have featured in cultural regeneration projects worldwide. Think of the bold architectural statement of the new Library of Birmingham or the waterfront Dokk1 in Denmark, with its own automated, driverless car park. Libraries have been built as centre-pieces of urban redevelopments, designed to change the image and identity of a town, city or district. Some commentators have described this approach as “just add culture and stir”. Libraries feature in regeneration projects focused on renewing or reimagining urban infrastructure and on the creation of new cultural quarters, centres and hubs. They can also help regenerate High Streets by bringing more custom- ers to traditional shopping centres. For example in Warwickshire we are currently working on a new £25m Library and Business Centre in Nuneaton – as part of regeneration plans to transform and ‘rebrand’ the town centre.
A new breed, or brand, of iconic libraries is emerging – designed to be tourist attractions appealing to the widest audiences, not just book-borrowers. These icons play an important role in regeneration projects aimed at boosting cultural identity, community cohesion, civic pride and eco- nomic growth. The term ‘brand’ reflects a desire to sell or market a town or city to commercial users looking for eye-catching and impres- sive venues for their events, alongside visitors wanting to see and experience something special. Meanwhile locals are proud to have – and use – an iconic building on their own patch.
Medicine+Science Library, National University of Signapore. Design trends
Whether iconic libraries are new or adaptations of older buildings, there are some common design trends such as: flexible use of space, a focus on customer experience, a move towards joint provision with other cultural services, multi- use spaces, child-friendly design, greener credentials and built-in technology. Accessibility is, of course, a sine qua non. They are designed to be community hubs, not just libraries. Many feature open atriums, zoned areas, exhibition spaces, galleries and cafés, with fewer barriers between staff and cus- tomers. Some offer open access during unstaffed periods. The ‘wow factor’ can apply to both revamped old library buildings and exciting new ones. The key to getting it right is to engage local communities at the planning stage to fully under- stand their needs - and so potential users are invested in, and excited about, the new or remodelled library from its inception. This is all part of what is often called Placemaking – a multi-faceted approach to the planning, design and manage- ment of public spaces which capitalises on a local community’s assets, inspiration, and potential – aiming to create public spac- es that improve urban vitality and promote people’s health, hap- piness, and well-being.
Finally In conclusion, it is a combination of building, staff, program- ming and resources that make a successful library – and innovation in library provision drives success. Let me give an example: In a speech made in October 2025 to mark the 175th anniversary of the first ever Public Libraries Act, Libraries’ Minister Baroness Twycross praised Warwickshire Libraries for introducing the Discovery Den – the first Sensory Mobile Library in the UK. The electric vehicle will take to the road in 2026, visiting local communities across the county, reaching adults and children – including those on the autistic spec- trum – who might find the traditional library experience more challenging. IP
April-May 2026
INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL 11
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