Academic Libraries of the Future: Home

We are using this guide to post current information as it pertains to libraries and their changing role on an academic campus. As the semester progresses, we will post other articles and links. 

If you would like to add content - just send it to David Bryden - dbryden@highpoint.edu 

As we all know, there are many images and narratives about libraries on the web.

"Physical space plays an important role in helping the library to achieve user-centric missions. In many academic institutions, significant number of students pass through library space daily. It is often said that the library on campus is a third place, a kind of holding, in between and neutral space that serves as a transition between dormitory and work. Students are in fact captive audience which third places like libraries can potentially shape their learning behavior and help them to achieve their academic goals." From: Choy, F. C., & Goh, S. N. (2016). A framework for planning academic library spaces. Library Management, 37(1), 13-28. doi:http://dx.doi.org/10.1108/LM-01-2016-0001

Here are links to a couple that we have discussed:

• AIA/ALA award for best in library architecture and design.
  • IDA 2020 Library Interior Design award winners. Clck on an image to see the details of the facility. 
  • Colorado College Tutt Library expansion is one of those winners. Pay attention to the video which talks about some of the decisions that were made and why.  
• ACRL Excellence in Libraries Award recognizes an outstanding community college, college, and university library each year. This award is to recognize the accomplishments of librarians and other library staff as they come together as members of a team to support the mission of their institution.
• Architectural Digest 15 stunning University Libraries 
• Best College Libraries 
• College Rank list of the 50 "amazing" college libraries.

From an article on library spaces: "The three library spaces that attracted the most positive comment in discussion posts were quite different, but all had distinctive features that appealed to several students:

• Bridge Water College recently built library has a video tour and floor map on its website. 
• Portland State University Library was praised for its well-equipped family study room for PSU students with kids;
• North Carolina State University's Hunt Library was liked for its hi-tech facilities, especially the Bookbot delivery system; and

• Santa Clara University Learning Commons was admired for its green features and three open-air terraces.

Library design is celebrated each year. Enjoy these links to articles as found in the library literature. 

• 2013 LIBRARY DESIGN SHOWCASE. (2013). American Libraries, 44(3), 8.
• 2016 LIBRARY DESIGN SHOWCASE. (2016). American Libraries, 47(9), 36-47. 
• 2017 LIBRARY DESIGN SHOWCASE. (2017). American Libraries, 48(9), 26-33. 
• 2018 LIBRARY DESIGN SHOWCASE. (2018). American Libraries, 49(9), 22-29.