Process to Product: Inclusive Libraries by Design

Abstract

People experience buildings differently, depending on their personal cultural, social, economic, and physical circumstances; yet many buildings are designed to accommodate only a narrow slice of the human population. In some cases, inequity is being constructed into the built environment. Awareness of potential barriers to use when considering the built environment can make the difference between places that support inclusion¬ and ones that do not welcome all users. Foundational to creating inclusive buildings is the design process itself. No one person can embody all perspectives. Creating an inclusive building requires an inclusive process. This paper demonstrates how process, flexibility, and choice can be powerful tools in the quest for equitable library buildings.