Libraries. Suitability of Common Structural Grids for Fundamental Library Function

Libraries perform a range of functions in society. Academic libraries, for example, obtain, collect and store literature for education and research purposes, and are usually open to the general public. Public libraries provide communities with a wide choice of more general literature and other information media, with as much as possible displayed on open shelves.

The functions of academic and public libraries are often combined in a single library in larger towns. National libraries, for example, may house collections of literature and historical documentation produced in one country or region (deposit copies) and are open to the public, whereas specialist libraries for the collection of literature and media in limited subject areas often have limited access.

In academic libraries, reference rooms are provided. There may also be counters for loans from the closed stacks, and free access to the open shelves of magazines, books or separately presented educational material in reading rooms. Apart from books and journals, almost all the different information media forms are collected and presented for use in an accessible way. The number of reading places depends on the number of students in the various subjects. The information is arranged in a systematic way, i.e. by subject. The services offered include inter-library loans as well as photocopying, and reading and printing from microforms (microfiche and microfilm). In addition, an on-line literature search and a literature search on data bases stored on CD-ROM are available.

University libraries are organised in either one or two layers. The one-layer system is administered centrally (book processing and services) and normally has very few separate branch or subject libraries. The two-layer system includes a central library and usually a large number of faculty, subject and institute libraries. The stock is held on open shelves in reading rooms, or in accessible book stacks (with the same shelf spacing as in closed stacks), as well as in restricted-access closed stacks. Arrangements such as these are found in various proportions in almost all academic libraries.

The proportions of loan (open and closed access) and reference stocks depend on the type of organisation, i.e. the aims of the library and the form of the buildings often have a significant effect. The number of book shelves depends on the type of organisation, accessibility for users, type of shelving (fixed or mobile), the system of subject ordering in use and its method of installation, the separation of different formats and also the structural grid of the building - (4) - (7).

Reading room areas, with space for reading and working, should be easily accessible and therefore situated on as few levels as possible. This also aids book transport. There should be a clear directional system with easily read signs giving directions to services and book shelves. Avoid offset levels. Access to the operational areas and reading rooms on different floors should be by staircase, but lifts must also be provided for the use of disabled people and for book transport. Floor loadings in the operational and reading areas should be > 5.0 kN/m² .

Circulation routes should be >1.2m wide, and clear spaces between shelves at least 1.3-1.4m wide (or in accordance with local regulations). Avoid crossings and overlapping of routes for users, staff and book transport. Access to reading rooms can be through control gates equipped with book security equipment and, if possible, only one entrance and exit. For functional reasons, the control gates should be near the lending desk/central information desk.