Libraries. Science Libraries

A pneumatic tube system can convey information such as lending tickets. Modern systems tend to use plastic conveyors, running in plastic tubes, with comparatively small plants. Other methods of sending call-slip information to the stack as part of retrieval communication are faxes, gravity tubes and document carriers. A computer link between the request counter and the stack is also possible. Ideally, all material should be moved directly to where it is required. The return of books to their correct place on the shelf is very important.

Lighting should be appropriate to the use to which the area is put. Bookshelves should be protected from daylight. Sensitive materials should not be exposed to a level >50lx. Artificial light is preferable in an exhibition area since it is easier to control. The best illuminance distribution ratio at workstations is 10:3:1 (book:surface:background). Non-work rooms need 100-300 lx, stacks need 150-300lx, office and administration blocks need 250-500 lx, and reading rooms without individual lights and catalogue rooms need 300-850 lx. Lighting should have separate switches in each area and be individually adjustable at each work station.

Building design should be based on climate, and internal environmental control should be based on the building. The recommended temperature for reading rooms and open access areas is 22°C in summer and 20°C in winter, with 50-60% relative humidity and six or seven air changes per hour. Stacks should be kept at 17-22°C in summer and 17°C in winter, with 50-60% relative humidity and six to seven air changes per hour. The recommended humidity level in libraries is between 45% and 55%. Special measures should be taken for unusual and sensitive materials; humidity which is too low or too high can damage films. The air should be changed at least three times per hour, depending on the area of the library and time of year. The air intake per cycle should preferably be 25%, but is often reduced to 15% for economic reasons.

Public libraries have no academic collection obligations or archiving functions, and are usually without, or with only very small, archive stores. They are freely accessible to the public, and are used by children, adolescents and adults. Public libraries orientate their level and choice of stock and services to the needs of their users. As a communication 'market-place' for all population groups, in addition to the traditional provision of books, the library may have browsing areas, a citizens' advice/enquiries desk, a cafeteria, music listening facilities, recreation and meeting rooms, and study seating for groups and individuals. It may also include a music library, an art lending library and a mobile lending service. In addition to books and newspapers, the collection may include periodicals, brochures, games, or new media (CDs, videos, PC software) to be used in the library or borrowed.

The room design should encourage adults, children and young people to spend time in separate open-plan spaces where activities take place. The floor area depends on the size of the collection. There should be 300m² of usable floor area for every 10000 units of media in the collection The objective is to have a minimum of two media units per occupant.

Ideally, the design should include large, open, extendible multipurpose areas, which are roughly square, and organised horizontally rather than vertically, and an inviting entrance. Areas for adult users can have five or six shelf levels (maximum reach 1.80m - (3)); in the children's area there should be four shelf levels with a reach height of around 1.20m. Shelf aisles should not be more than 3m long, and can also be used to produce niches and exhibition stands. Book transport should be with book trolleys 920 mm x 990 mm x 500 mm (DxHxW). The goods elevator should be at the service entrance, and larger libraries should also have book conveyors.

Floor loadings in public libraries should not exceed 5.0kN/m², in archive storage and similar open access areas with closely spaced stacks they should be 7.5kN/m² maximum, and with compact storage (mobile shelving) 12.5 or 15.0kN/m² .

Science Libraries. Science libraries have always had a central position in science and the life of universities. They are not only locations to store books, but also places to work with books. Important and decisive contributions to world literature have been produced in libraries. The erection of libraries is one of the most notable building duties of society. Important architectural examples from the 19th century (such as the Biblioteca Laurenziana, Florence, and the Bibliotheque Nationale, Paris) show how these demands were met. The Bereichsbibliothek, Berlin – (1), has a gross area of 3800m² containing 200000 books in the reading rooms, 300000 volumes in the open stacks and 8500 journals.