Vanity Project or Reflective Space : holding the mirror up to library buildings in the 21st century

Abstract

Fox News host, Greta Van Susteren, re-opened the debate on the virtual versus the physical library recently. This article briefly examines trends in library building design and the emergence of a new typology in the 21st century citing a number of examples from which lessons can be learned. At the turn of the century issues under discussion were the move from print to e-collections, the hybrid library, the library as third place and the freeing up of shelving space for new uses and services. More recently the topics being debated include sustainability, what makes effective learning spaces, the need for postgraduate and research areas, storage projects, and postoccupancy evaluation. The need for further research to ensure continuous improvement in the design of libraries is noted.