High quality design on a low budget: New library buildings

Abstract

Since 2008 the world's economy has seen dramatic changes that have rippled throughout the library world. While the demand for library services has increased, the money available to build, refurbish and operate them has decreased. Many countries report a decrease in funding of libraries. On the other hand, public and student demand for study and collaborative work space, the changing nature of content delivery and the increased need for access to computer technologies are creating an increasing need for more library space that is smart, flexible and economical to build and operate. Libraries are central to our knowledge economy. Without them, many communities would have no access to technology, study space or tutorial and literacy training. High Quality Design on a Low Budget brings together a range of building projects from national, academic and public libraries from different regions of the world showing how these libraries are able to continue to provide high quality library space that is affordable in these times of difficult economic circumstances.