Jens Thorhauge has written a paper on the libraries’ future challenges. The paper was presented at "Future Libraries: Infinite Possibilities". IFLA World Library and Information Congress, 17 - 23 August 2013, Singapore.
“Creating a model-program for the building of future public libraries and their role in culture led redesign of urban spaces” library.ifla.org/102/
The book "Biblioteket i byudviklingen – oplevelse, kreativitet og innovation" (Eng.: The library in urban development – experience, creativity and innovation) brings into focus the correlation between library development and urban development. It is written on the basis of a research project conducted at Centre for Cultural Policy Studies, The Royal School of Library and Information Science.
In connection with the project the researchers studied cutting-edge libraries in the Nordic Countries, Europe and North America. The book is aimed particularly at architects, cultural and urban planners, library people and others who wish to participate in the discussion about how libraries can fortify urban potentials in terms of experience, creativity and innovation.
Danmarks Biblioteksforening (the Danish Library Association) has translated the successful book “Biblioteksrummet – inspiration til bygning og indretning” to a English edition “The library room – inspiration for buildings and design”.
The book is intended to inspire to new thinking on architecture and city planning, to give some inspiring input on quality, flexibility and creative courage.
With LIBRARY SPACE the Danish Library Association wants to stimulate a rethinking of library layout and construction. To encourage library 'owners' to work for new library buildings of high quality, flexibility and creativity - as well as to have the courage to seek new directions in design, architecture and urban location. And furthermore, to position the public library as a visible and powerful asset of the 21st century knowledge society.
In Finland, the idea of function is realised in very different ways in libraries and museum buildings. Libraries have often been designed specifically for use as libraries. By contrast, museums are often housed in existing buildings, and understandably so. This is a significant difference in terms of the design and functionality of the buildings.
At the BOBCATSSS symposium held in Portugal in January 2009 a paper was presented to shed some light on the libraries’ position in today’s society. The paper presented by Henrik Jochumsen and Casper Hvenegaard Rasmussen states that, the physical libraries may have had some adversity in later years but that the function of the library is on the brink of change.
The author’s view is that the uncertainty for the future of the public library as a place which characterized the 1990’s today is replaced by a new belief in the importance of the physical library. This belief is not only strong among librarians but also among scholars, politicians and city-planners. The paper introduces this renewed interest in the physical library, emphasizes new trends in library-development and finally pinpoints an essential challenge when new libraries are being planned or built.
Danmarks Biblioteksforening (the Danish Library Association) published a new book earlier this year. The title: “Biblioteksrummet – inspiration til bygning og indretning” means “The library room – inspiration on buildings and interior design”.
The book is intended to inspire to new thinking on architecture and city planning, to give some inspiring input on quality, flexibility and creative courage.
The tendency in Denmark seems to be integrating the public libraries in community centers, schools, sports and town halls. The buildings are multi-purpose flexible buildings integrated in community and landscape.