The Physical Environment of Libraries

 

A major aspect of a library's appeal is its physical environment - that is, the look, feel, and overall tone that the library gives off. Most libraries, especially on college campuses, have designated silent areas for studying and other areas for collaborative group work. Regardless of the area, libraries are known as places of scholarly research, give off an aurora of education, and provide access to resources that would not exactly be available at your fingertips if you had researched at home. To most, there is something gratifying about being able to find the answer to something by physically holding a book and being inside a library rather than byusing a computer. The physical environment of a library not only plays an important role in the effectiveness of advertising and marketing the library, but it also produces a certain kind of behavior in individuals depending on the settings. With that said, physically being inside a library produces a certain kind of response and experience, one that is unique to each individual yet, at the same time, somewhat the same considering their scholarly feel, specifically on college campuses: -"Whenever I have a big project due, I like to go into the library and not just sit at home because seeing all the other people studying reminds me of my goal. I absorb their focus and manage to get my things done without interruption." -"While there louder places in the library, I like that the building is so large that you can go on any floor and basically find a quiet area to work." -"To me, it's easier to hold a book and search for information instead of looking up things online and not having concrete proof or validation." __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Along with the scholarly effect libraries tend to produce in the minds of college students, many worldwide are known for their unique physical structures and elaborate decorations that make it seem as if you were visiting a great mansion rather than a library.

Bates Hall

One of the main attractions of the Boston Public Library is this majestic reading room which, with its barrel vault structure and fifteen massive arched windows, was named after the man who donated much money towards the purchasing of new books for the library, Joshua Bates. Bates decided that he would only participate in the funding of the library if a grand room such as Bates Hall was constructed in order to serve as an 'ornament to the city.' Certainly doing so, the room itself, 218 feet long with arched ceilings reaching up to 15 feet, is considered one of Boston's most dazzling interior rooms and encourages the public to explore, read, or use the free wireless internet while being absorbed in the sweeping beauty of the giant sunlit room.

Geisel Library

Upon visiting the heart of the University of California, San Diego, one is instantly struck by the odd shaped building that looks less like a place for studying and more like an alien spaceship. Geisel Library takes its name from Tehodor Seuss Geisel (more commonly known as Dr. Seuss, the popular children's author) who, along with his wife, helped fund the library and made massive strides towards improving literacy. Because of this, part of the unique library is dedicated to 'Dr. Seuss' and many of his original copies of unique children's sketches and books are housed in it, often displayed once a year to the public and restricted to special research the rest of the time. The building itself is eight stories high, the first two stories forming a flat base, the total rising 110 feet above the ground. Contrary to popular urban myths on the street, the building is not 'sinking' due to the unaccounted for weight of books, and it continues to serves as a visually pleasing and relaxing place to study.

Seattle Library

A marvel of modern architecture, the Seattle Library is comprised largely of glass and steel and even offers underground parking for over one hundred cars. Guided by overwhelming public support on a 'Libraries for All' bond to invest millions of dollars into renovating the original 1960's Seattle Library, multiple architecture firms began to fight for the honor to begin undertaking the hefty job that would double the square footage of the library. Rem Koolhaas, a Dutch architect without much American background work, was awarded the honor and eventually given the Pritzker Prize, architecture's highest and most valued award, for the library. His eleven foot avant-garde library is structurally striking to the eye from the outside, and also has many unique highlights on the inside, including the display of the entire nonfiction collection in a downward staircase spiral. Five different platform areas are used to denote different areas and functions in the library, which stands out as one of the greatest libraries of the 21st century.

Sources:

http://www.bpl.org/guides/bates/bateshall.htm, http://www.ucsd.edu/portal/site/Libraries/menuitem.346352c02aac0c82b9ba4310d34b01ca/?vgnextoid=039692a0691d3110VgnVCM10000045b410acRCRD, http://www.spl.org/default.asp?pageID=about_history_history