Despite calls for electronic, virtual, digital libraries without walls, the walled variety are still being built, some of them massive. This book explores the reasons for this contradiction by examining several notable new library facilities around the world to see how modern expectations for libraries are being translated into concrete and steel. More and more libraries are looking at change not as a dreaded hazard but as an opportunity that can itself be seized to strengthen the library in the areas of mission, technologies, facilities, funding, and organizational structure. Thirteen libraries are discussed--by a librarian or administrator who worked on the project. Each author writes about the design and building concerns that were particularly relevant to that library: philosophy, political issues, or any other concerns that affected planning, building, and services in the new facility. Introductory and concluding chapters identify underlying values and themes, tying everything together. The unique combinations of issues, constraints, and opportunities show how libraries are planning to fit into the approaching era of virtual information delivery.

Libraries have quietly changed over the last 20 years. They have adapted early and consciously to the changes of digitalization, they have recognized the changed need of their users for collaborative work and derived new spatial concepts from this. Transparency and access to information, knowledge and encounters are the prerequisites for holistic social development. It is the challenge of the 21st century as the information age. This book presents the latest developments in library architecture as well as the way scientists and architects are meeting this challenge. With essays by Achim Bonte, Catherine Lau, Max Dudler, Georg Gewers, Henning Larsen Architects, MSAO Architects, Claudia Lux, Marco Muscogiuri, Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects, Snøhetta, Sauerbruch Hutton, gmp Architects followed by a conversion with Oliver Jahn and Dante Bonuccelli. Watch the first Knowledge Talk: KNOWLEDGE FOR ALL with Prof. Dr. Claudia Lux and Prof. Dr. Eike Schmidt on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aKk_wRBGt1E The new role of the Uffizi, Florence and the opening of knowledge to a wider society are subject of the first Knowledge Talk with Prof. Dr. Claudia Lux and Prof. Dr. Eike Schmidt live from the Uffizi on International Museum Day, May 18, 2021. The Knowledge Talk connects the topics from the new publication "Libraries and Their Architecture in the 21st Century".

Public libraries, through their mission, vision, and position in the community, play a significant part in building community sustainability and are already positioned to serve as a “backbone support organization” for collective impact initiatives.

This volume on the challenges public libraries may face in the 21st century covers such strategic and technological issues as fund-raising, pursuit of a community-based mission, and the combination of new and old media. Lists of additional readings and questions for discussion are included.

An index to library and information science literature.

What is the role of a library when users can obtain information from any location? And what does this role change mean for the creation and design of library space? Six authors an architect, four librarians, and a professor of art history and classics explore these questions this report. The authors challenge the reader to think about new potential for the place we call the library and underscore the growing importance of the library as a place for teaching, learning, and research in the digital age.

The International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the information profession. The series IFLA Publications deals with many of the means through which libraries, information centres, and information professionals worldwide can formulate their goals, exert their influence as a group, protect their interests, and find solutions to global problems.

It seems that being in a state of uncertainty is the overwhelming characteristic of library organizations today, but there are ways in which this can be used to improve our organizations. The power of negative capability is that it supports reflection and measured thinking, and in the right sort of organization, it will release creative energy. This book presents the characteristics of those organizations. Managing 21st Century Libraries is primarily concerned with creating the circumstances in which people can maximize the use of their talents and generating the opportunities for people to work with others in ways that engage all of the abilities of everyone involved. It is about developing an organization that is an interesting, stimulating, provocative, and effective place to work. Above all, the book is about the ways in which library managers and staff can develop systems for managing contemporary library services, and thus take advantage of the unique combination of circumstances that provide the potential for innovative organization development in the library services of today. It relates important issues in people management to the characteristics of libraries that deal significantly with both digital and printed material.

1970- issued in 2 vols.: v. 1, General reference, social sciences, history, economics, business; v. 2, Fine arts, humanities, science and engineering.