looking at libraries: defining space through content
[brief explanation]
return to pictures
______________________________________the library_______________
The library is a place full of stories, adventures, information.
A place where all is shared, borrowed and brought back. Imagine all the books, the infinite possibility of stories all of which are hidden beneath a cover. Like secrets, they sit unknown, waiting to be touched and revealed only after having spent the time to know the book well.
________________________________where is the magic______________
Why is it then that the magic, mystery, adventure and knowledge is not sensed when entering a library? It is disgraceful that a library should be considered dull and stuffy. After observing Academic libraries, how they function, who uses them, how they are used, when they are used, what they look like, what expectations are, what frustrations are... I discovered many things, and decided the most notable design solution would be one applicable to all libraries, big, small, regardless of the physical shape and structure. In terms of library architecture, I came across some brilliant spaces, I even designed my own ultimate library in terms of placement, aesthetic and although I had some very important key factors established, I quickly realized the varying shape and infinite possibility of library architecture was part of the magic I did not want to lose.
____________________________________consider this______________
So I reconsidered the interior, how the books are displayed, how they are organized, what else (apart from books) is in the library, what services the library offers, who uses them. I considered different ways of emphasizing and classifying library content. I imagined a library without shelves, hanging, laying, piling... even taking the library's token giant stairway and having the library be nothing but a giant staircase that doubled as a staggered bookcase. In the end I realized that shelves made the most sense in terms of efficiency, safety and accessibility.
_____________________________content defines space______________
I wanted the content to define the space, because the content is where the excitement lay. I also decided to focus on Academic libraries, it is important to realize different libraries have different uses, goals, and classification systems. The Academic library most often uses the Library of Congress Classification System. This system uses the first letter of the call number to classify every book into one of 21 general subject matters.
___________________________________why book labels______________
I decided to design the space using the call number labels. More than a re-design; I consider this design to simply use an existing element, rather than add a new one.
In a library setting, not only is does the book take up to most physical space, it is iconic in terms of our association to the library. Notice that the book's cover loses it's importance in the library, it is squashed between this book and that book. Not to be confused with a book store, this is a well organized storage space. It is the spine that one look's for and it is the call number label that allows one to find. With so much pressure on the call number label, I found it to be tiny and inconsistent, appearing to be slapped on carelessly. Now imagine a wall of books, it appears to be quite disorganized in terms of the book's information, a mismach a textures, typefaces and colours. The information inevitably gets lost within itself. I Initially wanted to cover the books individually with a standard removable sleeve that I would design displaying all of the book's information in a clean, efficient and legible manner; however, it took about 30 seconds in the encyclopedia section to feel how boring and unbearable this solution would make one's library experience. The trickiest part was realizing that having the same template for every book did not ease one's book search, but rather cause the book to completely to disappear within the others, making it impossible to see or stand out. All signs of curiosity vanish.
_____________________________________colour coding______________
Knowing there are only 21 main subject it was important to colour coding the labels. This is a major part of having the content design the space, it is the subject that "paints" the space. Since all Academic libraries use the same classification system, one can see the possibility of quickly familiarizing oneself with a specific subject's colour, making it easy to place yourself in a new library. This opens new opportunities for signage and wayfinding designs. Books design the space—every library is familiar, yet unique. My favourite aspect of the colours is knowing a law library's colour palette will be dramatically different then that of a Art & Design library. The colours are assigned to the subjects as a rainbow gradient since there is no such thing as 21 unique colours and the classification system is linear.
____________________________________design aspects______________
So the label is big enough to emphasize it's colour, clearly display the information at hand, while still leaving a preview of the book's spine. Labels vary in width, the information is stacked to accommodate both thin ad thick spines. The label's information is spaced/seperated (date and subject letters isolated) and lines up to ease a user's quick scan. A nice feature is having the book's full title viewable with a slight tilt. The label is fastened to the spine (always lining up on the left side of the spine) and the wrap around can easily be lifted to reveal the full cover design, untouched by permanent stickers and labels. The demi-cover aids in protecting the book and has a nice reference to not judging a book by it's cover. The citing information is all provided on the label's side, including some of the most common citing styles.
________________________with quality, comes respect_____________
With a refined treatment, the contents of the library gain the value and respect they deserve.