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.

Planning a new or refurbished public library means considering not only facilities for collections, services, staff and users, but examining also the local context, reviewing the library image, and developing relationships with other community facilities and agencies. This book examines the entire gamut of challenges confronting the planning and development of contemporary public libraries; their mission, their roles, and key issues such as lifelong learning, social inclusion, community and cultural needs, regeneration and funding. The helpful presentation and readable style guides the librarian through the preliminary information-gathering and decision-making process that ensures a successful library building for all concerned. Using practical case studies, plans and photographs, the author tackles the critical issues of siting, size, plans and design concepts, and provides a helpful guide to weighing up the alternatives of refurbished, converted and new buildings. Separate chapters focus on the planning, briefing and construction process; security, safety and sustainability; key characteristics of successful buildings; identity, decor and signage; and interior layout and facilities. The text draws together a vast resource of real library examples from all over the world which provide best practice models and lessons to learn. For funding authorities, librarians and architects of public libraries this is a highly informative book that will help to ensure wise decision-making and prevent costly mistakes.

The information society and the information age are changing library services as well as library premises. This raises questions about what needs to be considered when planning and designing new library buildings in order to achieve attractive, efficient and future-oriented new library spaces. This new publication provides information and guidelines for the building planning process, whether you are planning a new public or academic library building. It reflects on fundamental issues, on new development trends and on the planning process. The library building process is seen from both the library manager's perspective as well as that of the architect and designer. Issues covered include what to consider when investigating the need for space, library design from a marketing viewpoint, green management and sustainability relating to library buildings and a layman's guide to reading plans. This publication and the IFLA guidelines provided are not seen as a traditional set of recommendations to be rigidly adhered to since this would be unrealistic in a fast-changing and global context. Rather, library managers and architects should read them in order to inform their thinking on key issues and establish a planning programme. They must then relate them to their own countries and circumstances by making the relevant local adjustments.

Architectural realisation of a building and its opening to the public with a range of services are central components of the building and design process of libraries. Post-Occupancy Evaluation (POE) is the final step in this process. It provides a opportunity to assess whether the construction and design of the building has indeed met the library's and users' requirements and how effectively the building functions.

Given the continuing cataclysmic shift in the economic landscape in the last few years, librarians have been forced to reevaluate not only the traditional services that they offer but also their continued existence and relevance to their academic institutions. Given the ‘new normal’ of tighter constraint on personnel and materials budgets, librarians now are compelled to find new ways of offering services and forging new relationships with departments and programs outside the traditional library setting. This volume highlights a number of projects being implemented in academic libraries including: rethinking the entire concept of a library, redefining physical space for new collaborative uses, adapting entrepreneurial techniques to acquire funding, creating new research tools and improving services, forging new consortial partnerships, allying more closely the mission of the library with that of the institution, and adapting public library programs to academic libraries. By re-examining the purpose of an academic library under continuing financial duress, librarians can ensure that their libraries will continue to have relevance to higher education. This book was published as a special issue of College & Undergraduate Libraries.

This eagerly awaited new edition, has been fully revised and updated to take full account of the many and radical changes which have taken place since the Encyclopedia was originally conceived.

This publication examines aspects of reducing the ecological footprint in libraries’ workaday operations as well as the social role and responsibility of libraries as leaders in environmental sustainability. The theoretical background and practical applications of contributions made by worldwide libraries to the United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are discussed. General articles and research studies from Finland, Germany, Portugal, and Brazil illuminate libraries’ contributions to the SDGs. Case studies from Sweden, Kenya, Germany, Ukraine, China, and Serbia highlight challenges and opportunities in implementing sustainable approaches in public libraries. Examples of best practice from academic libraries in Hong Kong, Cameroon, Germany, Uganda, USA and Kenya, are presented. All papers published in this book are selected from the best papers of the ENSULIB Satellite Meeting 2017 in Berlin, the ENSULIB/Public Libraries Section’s Open Session at the IFLA Conference 2017 in Poland, and from the IFLA Green Library Award 2017. All articles are written in English.

A study of libraries and the role they play in both inner city areas and dispersed rural communities. It examines the library as a cultural institution, considering its spatial and symbolic presence and exploring its public service remit. The book is intended for undergraduates and postgraduates on library and information science courses and as supplementary reading for cultural and communications studies, tourism and recreation, human geography and sociology - as well as for public and academic librarians.