Renewing Our Libraries: Case Studies in Re‐planning and Refurbishment

Citation

Parry, F. (2010), "Renewing Our Libraries: Case Studies in Re‐planning and Refurbishment", Library Hi Tech, Vol. 28 No. 2, pp. 323-324. https://doi.org/10.1108/07378831011047712

Much has been written in recent years about the need for change in library services to meet the challenges of the electronic age. It is becoming increasingly obvious that library buildings need to change, too, which is quite a challenge in these stricken times, when the easiest option is to just close a library down.

In the introduction Michael Dewe says that refurbishment typically occurs every 20‐30 years in public libraries. He also estimates that, since the recommendations concerning library space and provision in the 1993 Follett report, more than 100 new academic library building projects have been started. This book contains case studies from a good cross‐section of libraries – public, academic, national – from around Britain, Ireland and Sweden with themed sections such as heritage library buildings, new styles of provision, remaking university libraries, extending the library and refurbishment. Most follow a similar pattern of describing the reasons for refurbishment, the design and planning process, problems during the work, impact on the library community, and the success of the projects in achieving their goals.

Many words are used to describe the process of refurbishment – renewal, remaking, upgrading, improving and more – but, as Richard Ward remarks in his chapter on the Winchester Discovery Centre, “without the service transformation building refurbishments … would be the same as painting the Titanic as it steamed towards the iceberg”. Note the use of the word “discovery” in place of “library” which mirrors the tussle between the traditionalists who believe that “libraries” are for books and those who are more likely to talk about “idea stores”. Some studies are better than others in describing the drivers in the refurbishment process, but it is not difficult to detect the air of slight panic as libraries stare at ever‐increasing downward trends in library use. It is therefore heartening to hear that many refurbished libraries reported notable increases in attendance after work had taken place – in the Long Eaton case, an increase in new members of 440 per cent.

There is an extensive bibliography, and most case studies have links for further information, plans and photographs.

I particularly liked the editor's introductory remarks about the refurbishment of St Pancras station, just a short walk away from the new British Library, and the way in which the old and the new are remodelled to create a dynamic building, fit for purpose in the twenty‐first century. Clearly, this is a lesson to be learned in the library world. The British Library building at St Pancras is not among the case studies here, but a very good chapter on the National Library of Wales is. The description of the work at this fascinating building overlooking Cardigan Bay has prompted me to make a note to visit it sometime, which is a measure of this book's success – we should all be encouraged by efforts to renew our services and buildings. This book was published shortly after the death of its editor, Michael Dewe. Dewe spent a large part of his life studying, writing and teaching about library buildings, and this is a fine testimony to his work. It will be of interest primarily to managers and planners of library buildings together with all who are interested in how we continue to provide an up‐to‐date library service in pleasant, suitable and modern surroundings.