Library Buildings around the World

Dr Sarah Thomas, Bodley’s Librarian and Director of Oxford University Library Services, said: ‘The Garfield Weston Foundation
has time and again shown its generosity to Oxford. Their commitment to help make the extraordinary collections of the Bodleian
accessible to a wide audience and to create the conditions which ensure the security, preservation, and scholarly use of our
collections is marked not only by their philanthropy, but by their passion for excellence.’
The redevelopment project of the New Bodleian building will involve the rebuilding of the central book stack, the installation of
three floors of secure storage below ground level, the provision of additional reading rooms, and the creation of dedicated floors for
curation and conservation. The refurbishment will also see the ground floor of the library opened up to the public, with the creation
of exhibition galleries and learning space, allowing Oxford residents and visitors to view some of the University’s greatest treasures
and to gain insights into our research activities.
The refurbishment of the New Bodleian building is part of a larger scheme to revitalize Oxford’s historic Broad Street by creating a
new public square. The plans are supported by both the local authorities and the Oxford Preservation Trust.
(http://www.bodleian.ok.ac.uk/news/2009_mar_13)
University of Oxford: Department of Earth Sciences, Oxford – UK 2010
Date:Completed October 2010, Location:Oxford, UKClient:University of Oxford, Value:£28 million
This new building for the University of Oxford’s Department of Earth Sciences has not only been designed to meet the academic
requirements of the department, but also to signal to the wider public the interests and concerns of the users. The most striking
element of the building is a ‘narrative wall’, which acts as a shop front for the activities and ideas of the department. The building is
structured around a simple relationship diagram which summarises the organisation of the spaces within. The ground floor space is
focussed on outreach, with the more public areas of the building such as the library, foyer and display spaces close by. Write-up
spaces are separated from the main laboratory areas, while generous circulation provides for interaction as users move around the
building. (Wilkinson)
Keith Williams Architects, London – UK
http://www.keithwilliamsarchitects.com
Clones Library & County Headquarter, Clones – Ireland 2004 – 2008
Clones town, the location for Monoghan County Council´s new Library Headquarters, is the entry point to the county
Aidan Heavey Public Library, Athlone – Ireland 2004
Colin St John Wilson & Partners, Cambridge † (2007)
see also: Long & Kendish
Libraries:
The British Library, London – USA 1962 – 1997
(M.J.Long - Long & Kentish – was a partner at Colin St. John Wilson & Partners, where she was co-designer
of the new British Library and was responsible for ccordination of the brief with the client. Rolf Kentish was an associate
in Colin St. John Wilson & Partners)
At the heart of Oxford’s historic core, Gilbert Scott’s 1940 New Bodleian Library is a vital resource for academic research.
Wilkinson Eyre Architects has recently been appointed to refurbish the library as a new cultural and intellectual landmark. The
essence of our concept is an inversion of the traditional Oxford quadrangle, playing with contrasts of lightness and darkness, void
and volume. The bookstack itself becomes a simple yet dramatic box, poised mysteriously above a generous public area which
permeates the building. The design works with, rather than against, Scott’s robust design, reinvigorating the space with an improved
circulation diagram and creating a number of contemporary interventions including a spectacular reading room at roof level,
reinforcing the library as a major new research resource for special collections.
Date:Appointed November 2006Location:Oxford, UKClient:University of OxfordValue:£50 million
Keith Williams Architects, London – UK
http://www.keithwilliamsarchitects.com
Libraries:
Centro Culturale, Torino – Italy on design
€ 107.000.000, 40.000 sqm.
Keith Williams’ premiated project for a major arts complex in the Italian city of Torino, was the only one from a UK architect
selected into the final round of this major international competition. The 40,000sqm project housed the new city library and a 1200
seat concert hall. The Centro Culturale project was located in the former industrial quarter on the site of the defunct Nebiolo
Company fabrication plant. The project was developed not as a single building but as a new united complex, with the library and
concert hall at its heart. The internal planning and interconnections allow the grouping to function as if contained within a single
building envelope, yet distinguish between the identity of each separate part. (Williams)
Clones Library & County HQ, Clones –Ireland 2008
Clones town, the location of Monaghan County Council’s new Library Headquarters and Branch library, is the entry point
to the county for visitors travelling from the West of Ireland
Since the 1960’s however, the town has suffered from the cut-off of its hinterland in Northern Ireland and the decline of
traditional industry in the area (agriculture, textiles, engineering). However in 1999, Monaghan County Council and Clones
Town Council, together with all the local community and the development groups initiated the Clones Regeneration
Strategy, a blue print for the development of the town.
The development of derelict properties between Fermanagh Street (the main retail street) and ’98 Avenue (the main link to
Enniskillen, Donegal and the north-west) was identified as key to the regeneration of the town. Monaghan County Council
acquired 1 ha of lands from four property holders between both streets. These lands formed the site for the new Library
Headquarters and Branch library, along with a new public square and car-parking.
The new building replaces the antiquated facilities of the old Library Headquarters, which was housed in the 19th century
Market House since its inception in 1928. The old Headquarters is distinguished architecturally, but in very poor repair. It
has limited access and with a total floor space of 365sqm for the headquarters and branch, including both lending floor and
all staff areas, is inadequate for a contemporary library services needs.
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