Designing Libraries Newsletter

December 2024

Welcome to the new Designing Libraries (DL) quarterly newsletter. The first, December edition offers a reminder of recent posts you might have missed - and takes a quick look forward to DL’s plans for 2025.

Remodelling libraries

DL Advisory Group member Alan J Clark posted two articles on emerging trends and opportunities in library design. Part 1 looked at ‘the big picture’ - designing libraries for a new era in service provision - while Part 2 outlined current key trends. Together they offer a useful, brief introduction to remodelling libraries.

Sponsor highlights

In 2024 DL welcomed a new sponsor. Find out more about The Creative Core here. Featured projects from other DL sponsors include: FGLL’’s work on prison libraries, and a project around biophilic design from the Design Concept. Other sponsors Opening the Book specialise in ‘reader-centred thinking’ on library interior design, while Bibliotheca continue to work with libraries around the globe, creating ‘seamless’ physical and digital library experiences.

Libraries list

DL’s archive offers inspiration and ideas for anyone involved in making or remodelling a library. Check out the popular web-section here.

Case studies

DL’s case studies offer a detailed examination of both new and remodelled library projects in the UK and beyond. Recent additions include Darlington Public Library - described as the ‘perfect modern classic’, the Haltwhistle Primary School library - near to and themed on Hadrian’s Wall, and Birmingham City University’s Learning Space - featuring laptop loan lockers.

Web stats

DL continues to attract growing audiences around the world. Over the past 12 months (to November 2024) the website attracted around 11,000 new users and was viewed more than 30,500 times - with case studies, libraries and resources the most popular sections. We have also set up a Linkedin presence and joined the Bluesky social media platform

Spreading the word

In November an article about Designing Libraries appeared in CILIP’s member magazine ‘Information Professional’.

Plans for 2025

Plans for the year ahead include a Designing Libraries Conference and a series of webinars hosted by Libraries Connected on themes such as AI, Green Libraries, 24/7 opening, along with other key issues for library design. A separate webinar in March will address potential new audiences in MINA (Middle East and North Africa) countries.

Artificial Intelligence

A hot DL topic for 2025 will be AI and what it means for libraries. This is something most of us would like - and probably need - to learn more about. Here’s some suggested holiday reading to get you started:

CLIP AI report: https://www.cilip.org.uk/page/researchreport

University of Leeds: https://library.leeds.ac.uk/downloads/download/196/artificial-intelligence-ai-in-libraries

New Year’s resolution

Remember to send DL your news, case studies and perspectives, via the website’s contact form, throughout 2025.

Festive greetings

The Designing Libraries team wishes everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

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