DESIGNING LIBRARIES
Designing Libraries Conference
The inaugural National Designing Libraries Conference took place at Camden’s Swiss Cottage Library on 17 June. Introduced by Designing Libraries Chair, Ayub Khan, the conference brought together national and international speakers and explored themes around inclusivity, Innovation, technology, sustainability and key trends shaping library design writes Rob Green.
CILIP’s Chief Development Officer Sonia Ramdhian spoke on Design Matters – our spaces can be as pow- erful as our services. She referenced Maggie’s Cancer Centres and their design led approach to wellbeing, saying: “For over 25 years Maggie’s has championed the impact that design can have on health, support- ing people with cancer from their centres across the UK and abroad. In their design brief for the architects that they work with Maggie’s are very clear on the importance of environment and about how buildings and physical space can support emotions.” That connection between design and a positive impact on
users is something that is replicated in the best libraries, and increasingly something that is seen to be as important as some of the more practical design choices that have to be considered – like shelves, seating and desk space. The Designing Libraries Conference highlighted the fact that seemingly prosaic choices can have a big impact on a space, and it isn’t just big (and expensive), new-builds that have the monopoly on good design. It also showed that func- tionality comes in many shapes and sizes. Karen Latimer, Designing Libraries’ chief advisor, walked delegates through a step-by-step process of a project. She offered practical advice on how to get a project started, and completed successfully – including the planning required at inception through to post occupation evaluation once the project has been completed. She said that every project needs to be a mix of a strong vision of what is needed, and imag- ination to see what can be achieved. She warned that there would likely be challenges along the way, but planning could help to identify solutions early. Communication is also key to a successful project, according to Karen, with meaningful engagement with staff, users and other stakeholders critical at all stages. She added that once complete, there was still plenty of opportunity to learn and improve – again pointing to the value of engagement and saying that a post-occupancy review would prove invaluable. Laura Dyer MBE, Deputy Chief Executive, Places, Ebgag- ment & Libraries at Arts Council England, spoke of the value of libraries as safe and inclusive spaces. She said libraries are “the only free access space on the high street with no expecta- tion of spending money. [They are] a space where people feel safe, and often the place where young children, and indeed some families, have their first engagement with culture. “We have to continue to talk about the role these spaces play. How do we re-energise library spaces, to recognise they
can be shiny and new, but also safe and dependable.” She then talked about Arts Council England’s Library Improvement Fund and a new round of grants, urging ser- vice leaders to consider how digital spaces and tools could help enhance the physical realm. Ed Fay, Director of Library Services and University Librari-
an, at the University of Bristol, guided delegates through the new university library project that is currently in the works. Designed by Hawkins\Brown in collaboration with Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, thanks to major investment from the university, the new library is destined to transcend student life as it opens up its ground floor to the local com- munity.
The library will stand in a prominent position in the city, and has ambitions to be a landmark building for Bristol. But it is the use of shared spaces that marks out its true ambi- tion as a community asset that lives, breathes and works for Bristol residents long after students move on from their courses. Communication and engagement came out again as a key element in achieving success, and Ed talked about accessibility and adaptability being built into the design. Adaptability proved to be a spark for a healthy debate about wheels and the pros and cons of moveable furniture.
Unversity of Bristol Library. Photo © Hawkins\Brown Architects
www.hawkinsbrown.com
10 INFORMATION PROFESSIONAL
June-July 2026
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