Week 2 – National and State Libraries

What are the design considerations for National and State Libraries?

National and State Libraries are the collective property of the people. As such they should be accessible to all. This doesn’t just mean that care should be taken to comply with standards for wheelchair ramps and handrails, although these things are extremely important. It also means that the building itself must open itself up to the people and welcome them in to experience the wealth of knowledge contained in the archives.

Many National and State Libraries are situated in historic buildings. This can be a blessing and a curse. A historic building lends a sense of continuity and stability to a library. Carefully maintained or restored period details can tell a story about where a nation has come from. On the down side a historic building comes with constraints. Bold architectural additions can be unpopular with fans of historic architecture and planning committees alike slowing the development of new spaces. Retrofitting technology into old buildings can also be a problem.


What is the role of a National or State Library and how does the architecture reflect this?

A National library represents the memory of a nation. As such it has two, often conflicting, responsibilities. One is to act as an archive. Many National Libraries are beneficiaries of laws that require copies of newly published works to be deposited into their collections. Simply storing an ever expanding collection is a nearly impossible task. The State Library of Victoria, like many other libraries, has in part solved this problem by using off site storage. Preserving information in this way is invaluable to historians. The other function of a National Library is to provide access to their collections to the people of the Nation. To this end, National Libraries require spaces in which items can be studied by patrons.

National and State libraries often try to make an architectural statement. They may try to express the character of the nation or project hopes for the future.  Take a look at this architects proposal for a new National Library in Kasakhstan.  The bold modern curves and circular shape are referencing a traditional tent, known as a yurt.



Some other videoes of National Libraries are included below.

A video of the National Library of Australia

A video of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France



How has the State Library of Victoria worked with its historic building to meet the needs of a 21st Century community?

The State Library, like many large historic buildings, is a patchwork of different styles formed as different sections were completed at different times. It could be argued that it has never been “completed” as work continues constantly, adding new extensions and restoring old areas that have fallen into disrepair.

One recent restoration has been the complete renovation of the historic domed reading room. When it was first opened in 1913 it was the largest reinforced concrete structure in the world. The glass dome and fan shaped desks are based on the design of a domed reading room in the British National Library. Originally the upper stories were accessible only by metal spiral staircases. Elevators have since been installed. In 1958 the skylights of the dome were covered with copper sheeting to prevent water leaking in. This changed the nature of the reading room entirely, plunging it into semi-darkness. Pictures from this period show patrons quietly hunched over their books in little pools of light coming from the reading lamps above the desks. In 2003 the latest restoration of the reading room, now known as the La Trobe Reading Room, was opened to the public. The copper sheeting was removed and the skylights restored, flooding the space with natural light again. The contrast is remarkable and the room is one of the most popular in the library.

The La Trobe Reading Room is a space that has been restored and used for its original purpose but many other spaces in the library have been re-purposed over the years. A great example of this is the old periodical reading room which is now the Information Center. This centrally located room makes an ideal place for much needed computer access. New spaces for special purpose reading rooms have been created by roofing over what were once courtyards.

The best example of how the Library uses its 19th Century building in the 21st Century is the entrance. The enormous sandstone columns of the portico are imposing. In the past a wrought iron fence would have added to the slightly intimidating feel of the entrance. The fence is now gone and a beautiful open lawn and gentle steps are a favorite hangout for city folk on sunny days. This makes the building feel approachable. Large banners hang between the columns on the portico advertising what is going on inside. This constantly changing display draws people in to new exhibitions and events. Engaging with the public is vital for an institution like the State Library so it can continue to serve the people of Victoria into the future.



References:

Hastings, Sascha & Shipman, Esther E (eds) 2008, Logotopia: the library in architecture, art and the imagination, Cambridge Galleries, Cambridge, Ontario.
Zable, Arnold 2003, ‘The age of enlightenment’, The Age, 14 June, Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre, EBSCOhost, viewed 2 September 2010
‘A top architecture prize to SLV’ 2005, inCite, Vol. 26, Issue 12, p. 21, Australia/New Zealand Reference Centre, EBSCOhost, viewed 2 September 2010

Links:


The State Library of Victoria - Explore our heritage architecture

The National Library of Australia - History

The Age - Libraries Queens Hall worth of royal treatment



Reflection

I found this weeks topic a little easier as it focuses on a single type of library.  Unfortunately I was unable to find any design specifications for building a national library, which makes sense when I think about it.  Each library is unique to the country or state that it's built in so of course the design specifications will be unique each time and there is no point publishing a "how to build a national library" guide!  I found focusing on SLV to be a good way to look at the topic.  The Age seems to love publishing articles about it and the SLV website has a brief history of the building.  Taking a wander through the library itself was edifying as well since I could feel what it's like to be in the spaces, which is a good way to evaluate the design.  I may re-visit this post so I can add links to more photos, but I'm so behind I have to keep going with my next topic or I'll get bogged down.