Library

A library is a facility that collects, organizes, preserves, and makes accessible a variety of information materials, primarily books, manuscripts, electronic documents, photographs, maps, and other types of resources. They are designed to facilitate access to information and promote lifelong learning, research, and the pleasure of reading.

The evolution of the library

Studies have shown that the oldest library in the world is that of Alexandria. In reality, it was a true editorial laboratory reserved for a few scientists, philosophers and philologists.
In the Middle Ages, however, the library was a space reserved for the religious community. Here, texts were often transmitted via copying.
During the Renaissance, greater attention was paid to the past, so the library became a place to conserve ancient documents and preserve the link with the past.
Around 1450, with the invention of printing, the library becomes the place of knowledge. Large monumental halls that open to the public. The first encyclopedic libraries open to the public in Italy were the Biblioteca Ambrosiana in Milan and the Biblioteca Angelica in Rome.
With the French Revolution, books belonging to the nobles and the clergy were confiscated and it was decided to return this heritage to the French people. Thus the national library was born, a library that collects and tells information about a specific people.
It was in the nineteenth century that, first in the United States and then in England, the library was interpreted as a public service open to all. The first small libraries were born, which became windows on the world, a place where one could emancipate oneself and at the same time a place where one could keep up to date on world events through newspapers.

Library: functions and typology

The library is not a place where you go to read what you could read at home: the library is a place where you go to receive new and unpublished cultural stimuli, to inform yourself, to study, to consult, to use various documentary materials simultaneously, to use all accessible information, not only that which is physically available in the place where the user has gone. This place, the library, is nothing more than a terminal in the complex system of circulation of information and knowledge. In this sense, the library is an interactive service and not a place where books are kept. To make its collection of information and documents usable – in the double meaning of physical collection and virtual collection -, for the purpose of its functional use to the particular interests of its public, the library must make such documents identifiable, locatable, accessible and available, it must offer a network of relationships between them, it must be capable of giving something more than the sum of such documents, it must give them an added value. Added value that is created when the informative content of the documents is treated and mediated to give life to the service.

Giovanni Solimine, Introduction to the study of library science, 1995

Library functions

Based on the above, the functions of a library are: preservation and access to information, support for education and research, promotion of reading and culture, inclusiveness and accessibility, innovation and technologies.

Storage and access to information

This is perhaps the most obvious function. We can schematize it in three phases:

• materials collection: acquisition and preservation of books, documents, and other information materials
• organization and cataloging: classification and cataloging to facilitate the search and access to information
• loan: service of lending materials to users for a fixed period of time

Support for education and research

By providing teaching and study materials for students and teachers, providing help in finding information, organizing workshops, courses and lessons, the library, which is the place of knowledge, supports education and research.

Promotion of reading and culture

In the era of digitalization, promoting activities that can arouse interest in reading and culture are essential. The library must guarantee the organization of cultural events (book presentations, exhibitions, conferences) for adults but also for children and young people.

Inclusivity and accessibility

The library must offer open services to all and ensure inclusiveness in services and accessibility to environments. It must therefore offer accessible, comfortable spaces for users of all ages and abilities.

Innovation and technology

The methodology in searching for information is always changing. Today, it must also offer technological services (WI-FI connections, printers, computer stations, supply of ebooks, online databases and other digital resources) to allow users greater accessibility to information.

Types of library

The Italian legal system, issued with Presidential Decree no. 417/956, distinguishes libraries as: state, university, local authority, school, cultural institution, research institution, public institution, ecclesiastical, private, children's, special.
The AIB (Italian Library Association), on the other hand, distinguishes between five types of libraries: public libraries, university libraries, school libraries, local authority libraries, special libraries, national libraries, conservation libraries, digital libraries, libraries of cultural associations and institutions.

Public Library

The public library is accessible to everyone without restrictions. It promotes reading, provides educational, cultural and recreational resources, supports learning and self-learning. An example are municipal and provincial libraries.

University and academic library

These libraries are located within higher education institutions, so they are generally accessible only to students. They provide specialized and high-level resources.

School library

The school library is located in schools of all levels. This too is accessible only to students by providing them with teaching materials.

Local or regional authority library

This library is managed by local or regional authorities. It provides library services at the local or regional level, supports the information needs of the community. An example is municipal libraries.

Special library

The special library contains information only on a specific topic or professional sector. For example, medical, legal, scientific, business libraries.

National Library

Inside a national library, there is the bibliographic and documentary heritage of a nation. The purpose is to protect, preserve and make accessible the works of national interest. The National Library of Florence and the National Central Library of Rome fall into this category.

Conservation Library

The preservation of historical materials, valuable documents, is guaranteed by the preservation library. Museum libraries fall into this category.

Digital library

They provide access to digital resources through the Internet. They offer digital resources (ebooks, databases) accessible remotely.

Library of cultural associations and institutions

This type of library is managed by associations, foundations or cultural institutions and preserves materials pertinent to the mission of the organization.

Designing the library

Knowing the types of existing libraries and the functions they must perform is of fundamental importance for correct planning.
Designing a library requires attention to several aspects, from spatial layout to ergonomics, from lighting to material selection.

Needs analysis

Before proceeding with the design of the library, we must consider the required needs.

Type of users

The library must be designed to meet the needs of a variety of users, offering services and resources specific to each group. Understanding the different types of users and their needs is essential to creating an inclusive and functional space to serve the community.
Users can be divided into types:

• students (primary, middle, high schools, universities) who need to be guaranteed access to resources, individual and group spaces, and research assistance;
• researchers and academics (university professors, researchers, postgraduate students, professionals) to whom we offer high-level and specialized resources, manuscripts, historical documents and suitable workspaces;
• families and children (educators, children, parents) who need to be offered books for children and young people, educational and recreational materials in safe and stimulating spaces for reading;
• adults of all ages who use the library for recreational, educational, or professional purposes;
• seniors who use the library for pleasure, socialization and learning in comfortable and accessible spaces;
• professionals and employees who need continuous training;
• users with physical, sensory or cognitive disabilities to whom special materials such as audiobooks, Braille books, assisted reading software should be offered in easily accessible spaces;
• occasional users and tourists who visit the library to access local information, tourist guides and information materials.

Required features

From the classification just made, it is clear that, for each flow of users, the needs change and consequently the services that the library must offer change and consequently the layout and spaces.

Where to design the library

If the design is a new project, it is advisable to choose the location based on two important principles:

• accessibility, therefore prefer an area that is easily reachable by public transport and has parking;
• visibility place it within a highly frequented territorial area to increase the number of users.

The Italian heritage offers many historical buildings suitable to guarantee a new function. This is why, creating a library in an existing historical building could be a valid alternative. The reuse of the historical building would guarantee its historical continuity thanks to its restoration. Clearly this choice is not always the most suitable. It is always necessary to guarantee safety, suitable spaces for carrying out the required activities and accessibility for all.

The layout of the library

The layout of a library is essential to ensure a welcoming, functional and efficient environment for users. In general we can identify the following areas: reception area, reading and study area, multimedia and technological area, area for children and families, specialized areas, support areas and services.

Reception and reception areas

This is the entrance area to the library, where users are welcomed and receive assistance. Easily identifiable from the reception desk with library staff, information panels and seats provided in case of waiting.

Reading and study areas

Area of ​​fundamental importance to allow users to use the services offered by the library on site. This area must be welcoming, ergonomic and guarantee individual or group reading.
The layout clearly provides:

• individual reading stations, tables or desks with chairs and adequate lighting
• larger rooms with larger tables reserved for study groups
• shelves containing books and information materials

Multimedia and technological area

This area of ​​the library is designed to offer digital resources, internet and computers.
The layout includes:

• PC stations: tables with computers
• spaces for audiovisual devices
• training areas

Areas for children and families

Area of ​​fundamental importance to encourage children to read and culture. The layout, which must be designed to suit children to encourage autonomy, includes:

• child-friendly furniture
• activity spaces (carpets, chairs, play areas)
• parents corner comfortable spaces for parents and educators

Specialized areas

Having internal areas available to ensure conferences, exhibitions is certainly a great added value. The conference room must be appropriately equipped with chairs and audiovisual equipment.

Support and service areas

To complete the layout, there are the support and service areas. In this type of area are placed:

• library staff offices with offices, workstations;
• warehouses for storing reserve materials, archives
• Toilets for users and staff
• refreshment area: cafes or spaces for well-deserved breaks.

Internal routes

The internal paths, corridors, inside a library, are appropriately thought out and designed to ensure the right flow of users and facilitate their consultation of the material. The corridors must be easily navigable to reach the various sections also through signs.

Furniture and equipment

The library's furnishings aim to create a welcoming, functional and stimulating environment for users.

Bookcases, tables and chairs

Book shelves must be sturdy and functional, with an optimal height to facilitate access to books. They can be either wall or central, double or single-sided. Tables and chairs must be ergonomic, provide sufficient space for books and writing materials and must ensure the right comfort.

Armchairs and sofas

Armchairs and sofas for informal reading and relaxation or to ensure socialization.

Carpets, plants, art and exhibition

Details should not be overlooked, furnishing the various areas with carpets, green plants and artistic displays will make the environment less rigid and more welcoming.

Color Palette

Even the chosen colors contribute to making the library a welcoming, stimulating and creative space.

Neutral and relaxing colors

White, light gray, beige, neutral colors to be used mainly for walls and ceilings. These colors visually enlarge the space and make it brighter.

Bright and vivid colors

Some colors, if well placed, can evoke certain sensations in the individual.
Il blue promotes concentration so it can be thought of in reading and study areas.
Il Verde It evokes a feeling of tranquility and well-being, therefore designed for relaxation areas and some reading areas.
Il yellow stimulates creativity and gives liveliness to the environment, it could be designed for the children's area or for other common areas.

Choosing colors for a library should be thought about to enhance the user experience, but before making a final decision it is advisable to test color samples on the walls or furniture elements to evaluate how they react to the light and the surrounding environment.

Finishes

The finishes for a library are crucial to ensure a welcoming and also resistant environment.
Wood is definitely the most suitable material for desks and tables as it is resistant to scratches and stains. Chairs should have comfortable padding and fabrics that are easy to clean.
Wooden floors are elegant and long-lasting, however laminate floors are often chosen (for economic reasons) which imitate wood.

Interior comfort

The internal comfort in a library ensures that users spend their time in a pleasant and productive way.

Lighting

In addition to choosing the right furnishings and color palette, lighting must be appropriate for the activities to be carried out in the library areas.
In particular, you need to pay attention to:

• natural light: trying to make more use of natural light inside by placing reading areas near windows when possible;
• artificial lighting: adjustable and directional lights to improve visibility and create a different atmosphere depending on the area of ​​the library.

The use of LED systems is recommended for their energy efficiency, long life and different heat temperatures.

Environmental control

Monitor the library environment in terms of temperature (avoid overheating or overcooling), ventilation (ensure there is good air circulation), humidity (to maintain user comfort and the preservation of library materials).

Acoustics

Good acoustic management in a library improves the user experience and their productivity while reading.
Acoustic insulation can be ensured by using sound-absorbent materials, used as wall coverings or heavy curtains to reduce echo and absorb sound. Carpets and rugs also reduce footfall noise and reduce reverberation. On ceilings, acoustic tiles can be used to improve the quality of audio inside the spaces and reduce reverberation.
The various areas must obviously be separated from each other, that is, separate the conference areas from the reading areas for example.
Finally, windows and doors isolate the internal environment from noises outside the building.

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