Libraries have undergone an extraordinary transformation over the last twenty years--from glorified book warehouse to interactive learning environment. For an architect they are currently amongst the most exciting projects to be commissioned to design. Innovation and "Next Generation" are the buzz words. However instead of exploring a first…

Cites a directory of consultants concerned with the design needs of handicapped people and lists the names and addresses given for Arizona. (CWM)

The author traces the growth of public library building in Finland, discusses the role of public subsidy legislation, and expresses the need for better library planning. (MF)

This paper discusses the design of flexible and intelligent library buildings. The first section addresses how flexibility, as one of the requirements of a library building, that has high priority in the planning process. Intelligent libraries are considered in the second section, and functionality is stressed. The third section examines…

Quality, not intensity, is the keystone to good library lighting. The single most important problem in lighting is glare caused by extremely intense centers of light. Multiple interfiling of light rays is a factor required in library lighting. A fixture that diffuses light well is basic when light emerges from the fixture. It scatters widely,…

The Islamic Republic of Iran's parliament, the Majlis, passed in 1990 a law setting out the functions of its national library. In 2005, the inauguration of the first stage of the new national library building was celebrated as a major national cultural and architectural achievement. This article looks at the origins and evolution of the National…

This volume presents the proceedings of the preconference institute of the Architecture for Public Libraries Committee of Library Administration Division's Building and Equipment section. The keynote address raises questions about architecture in a strategy for change. The remaining 14 articles and presentations are divided into five sections:…