Public Library Design Case Study:
Opening the Book refurbished Gateshead Central Lending Library, including children’s and young adult areas, in 2009 so we were delighted to return to complete the work with a transformation of the computer and reference areas into the new Gateshead Archive.
It was quite a challenge to house the Archive’s fascinating collection, consisting of thousands of books, newspapers, photos and maps, as well as digital resources, microfilm readers, FindMyPast PCs, card catalogues and listening posts for oral history recordings. Space was also need for workshops and volunteers. The Archive incorporates the main public access computers so it was important to provide plenty of desk space for drop-in users, plus desk-space and power for BYOD.
The solution was to design customised individual study desks with glazed cabinets above for the runs of bound volumes. Each desk has an individual lamp and power source. The finishing touch was decorating the rear panels of the desks with graphics of engravings from the Archive’s Bewick Collection. Our unique museum boxes are used on the standard bookcases to display interesting items such as the Gateshead Petition for the Abolition of Slavery. Lockable glazed cabinets house the more delicate items while keeping them open to view.
Our design worked to integrate the physical and digital opportunities to explore history. For example, the touch screen to showcase digital maps is placed next to the large map cabinets which enable customers to spread out a historic map while enlarging the detail on the adjacent smart screen. The surfaces of the map cabinets are covered with adhesive vinyl prints of the two most frequently used maps in the collection. High quality scans of other maps and images held by the Archive provided material for the graphics used around the space. This included full-wall reproductions of very early photographs and maps of Gateshead.
The new space allocated was large but had no windows and had to transition smoothly from Gateshead’s library shop which is one of the most successful in the UK. We worked hard to redesign the layout in this busy transit area which is also the main through route to the café, the lending library and the public toilets as well as Gateshead Archive. All surfaces were kept light and mid-brown wood-effect flooring was used throughout so that there is no obvious border between the two spaces, making both areas feel airy and bright.
The first new library built in the County for 20 years meant expectations were high at Thame for the library service and politicians as well as the local community.
The 4th floor of Boots Library is the most heavily used computer space in the university. The brief was to raise the quality of the student experience while maintaining the required number of computers and supporting 24/7 opening.
The new Library and Customer Service Centre at Risca is built as a modern extension behind the restored façade of the old Palace Cinema which had been derelict for many years.
Opening the Book was contracted to deliver an interior design which made the space lighter and brighter, implemented a successful transition from staff-led counter service to self-service via RFID and improved the customer experience for over 500,000 people visiting the library each year.
Opening the Book was first appointed by Mace to work with the architects, structural engineers, project managers, landscape architects, mechanical and electrical designers at Stages A-E of the planned new building.
Transforming the old chapel in a 19th century school into a contemporary, practical library was an exciting challenge for our design team.
Werneth School in Stockport moved to a new purpose-built home on the school site. How could all the successful library activities be fitted into a smaller space?
Opening the Book first visited St Mary’s Church, Lichfield, in 2016 to consider the feasibility of the library being part of a larger refurbishment project.
This was a first for Opening the Book and gave us an opportunity to explore how we could bring the same aesthetic of integrating books and play that we bring to our public library projects into a very challenging, much more compact environment.
At Gateshead, Opening the Book created a successful MakerPlace in their existing Sound Gallery.
In 2020 Conwy CBC had an opportunity to provide a new community hub for rural Conwy when the building which had been the Glasdir Business and Conference Centre in Llanrwst became available.
Opening the Book was excited to work with Doncaster MBC in creating the new Danum centre, bringing together the Central Library, the Museum and the Art Gallery to one site.