What makes a great library? – it's the ideas in the building
I have worked in education for over 45 years as:
Science teacher, Senior Lecturer, IT Manager, College Dean
University Director of Information Resources, Pro Vice Chancellor and a consultant in Library, IT and learning, design and development
See my linkedin cv and my consultancy clients
Glasgow Caledonian University – the Learning Cafe and the Saltire Centre
Royal Holloway University of London – The Bedford Library
York St John University – Fountains Learning Centre
….. details on these projects to follow
You can see a full list of clients here
During my involvement with library builds and refurbishments it has become clear to me that whilst the tangible aspects of the building and its interior, such as the construction materials used, the furniture & fittings and the details of the project plan, are all vitally important there is something else that is also essential for a great result. The strapline that I have used for this website tries to encapsulate this as ‘the ideas in the building’. Those aspects of the services and space that might be considered ‘peripheral’ to the serious business of crafting the building are, in my view, as important or even more important in creating a great building and achieving a stand out result. The sections below are some aspects of the planning and design that can make the difference between a good result or an outstanding one.
Here’s a potentially useful reading list…