COMPREHENSIVE DESIGN PROPOSAL AND CONSTRUCTION MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE FOR THE ACADEMIC LIBRARY

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1. Background of the Study:

 A libraryis an organized collection of sources of information and similar resources, made accessible to a defined community for reference or borrowing. It provides physical or digital access to material, and may be a physical building or room, or a virtual space, or both. The term library has itself acquired a secondary meaning; a collection of useful material for common use, and in this sense is used in fields such as computer science, mathematics and statistics, electronics and biology. Generally speaking, a library is a collection of information, sources, resources, and services. A library’s collection can include books, periodicals, newspapers, manuscripts, films, maps, prints, documents, microform, CDs, cassettes, videotapes, DVDs, Blu-ray Discs, e-books, audiobooks, databases, and other formats. Libraries range in size from a few shelves of books to several million items.(Gupta, 2002).

 A library is organized for use and maintained by a public body, an institution, a corporation, or a private individual. Public and institutional collections and services may be intended for use by people who choose not to or cannot afford to purchase an extensive collection themselves, who need material no individual can reasonably be expected to have, or who require professional assistance with their research. In addition to providing materials, libraries also provide the services of librarians who are experts at finding and organizing information and at interpreting information needs. Libraries often provide quiet areas for studying, and they also often offer common areas to facilitate group study and collaboration. Libraries often provide public facilities for access to their electronic resources and the Internet.(Halsey, et al., 2009).

 Modern libraries are increasingly being redefined as places to get unrestricted access to information in many formats and from many sources. They are extending services beyond the physical walls of a building, by providing material accessible by electronic means, and by providing the assistance of librarians in navigating and analyzing very large amounts of information with a variety of digital tools. In addition to maintaining collections within library buildings, modern libraries often feature telecommunication links that provide users with access to information at remotes sites. The central mission of a library is to collect, organize, preserve and provide access to knowledge and information. In fulfilling this mission, libraries preserve avaluable record of culture that can be passed down to succeeding generations. Libraries are an essential link in this communication the past, present, and future. Whether the cultural record is contained in books or in electronic formats, libraries ensure that the record is preserved and made available for later use. Libraries provide people with access to the information they need to work, play, learn, and govern. Therefore a library building is a structure which houses the various activities as described above. Thompson, James. (Ed.). (1980), (Gupta, 2002).

An academic library is a library that is attached to a higher education institution which serves two complementary purposes to support the school’s curriculum, and to support the research of the university faculty and students. It is unknown how many academic libraries there are internationally. The support of teaching and learning requires material for class readings and for student papers. In the past, the material for class readings, intended to supplement lectures as prescribed by the instructor, has been called reserves. In the period before electronic resources became available, the reserves were supplied as actual books or as photocopies of appropriate journal articles. (Halsey, et al., 2009).

Academic libraries must determine a focus for collection development since comprehensive collections are not feasible. Librarians do this by identifying the needs of the faculty and student body, as well as the mission and academic programs of the college or university. When there are particular areas of specialization in academic libraries these are often referred to as niche collections. These collections are often the basis of a special collection department and may include original papers, artwork, and artifacts written or created by a single author or about a specific subject. The academic library today is also no longer conceived as an ivory tower would with a collection of books and non-book materials, but a dynamic instrument of education (Thompson, 1980).

The primary function of academic library is to provide facilities for study, research and teachings. The true nature and efficiency of an institution is judged by the treatment to its library. The library operates within the governing framework of that institution which is characterized by academic, financial and building policies. In line with this realization of purpose is a true measurement of its importance in academics. The academic library should therefore provide fundamental services affecting the whole university without which it ceases to function as a center for teaching, researching and learning.

1. Statement of the Design problem

Each city has glamorousbuildings which dominatethe urban pattern – a capital or city hall, court house or post office, cathedral, temple, tower or public library. However, a college or university may have but one, and often the library is one to wear the crown of the campus.

Also the beginning of the 20^th century saw a gradual change in the philosophy of the library’s place in the university.

 Increased research, new methods of instruction and more publications were instrumental in bringing about a change in the concept of the university library and it also became apparent that the strength of the teaching and research program was dependent upon the strength of the library. The basic function of an academic setting to educate its members is simply an invisible reality without the existence of a modern and well serviced academic library. This project borne out of the need to provide the client – Adeleke University a purpose built library facility that has a befitting structure and depicts the image of a University of international standard taking intoconsideration the incidence of technological advancement in modern libraries.

1. Aim and Objectives:

The aim of this study is to design a library for a new and fast growing approved private university while taking into consideration technological advancement in the design and use of modern libraries.

       The objectives are to:

• Study existing university library buildings;
• Examine the quality, technical, functional and; behavioral aspects of the existing academic library buildings;
• Examine performance standards and functional requirements in relation to library buildings;
• Carry out a detailed literature review about libraries (their history, plan form and the necessary requirements for basic library design);
• Based on the detailed examination of existing library buildings and literaturereview, present a detailed and specific analysis of all activities which are to beaccommodated in the proposed library building;
• Produce a design that will suit the standards required for the teaching and research

Program me of the university;

• Effectively use materials and building construction technologies to produce a well-balanced structure and achieve a high level of aesthetic value.
• Pay particular attention to use of computers, laptops, opac, e-library and order salient, ICT (Information and Communication technology) issues related to library design for this 21st century.
• Enhance comfortable and eminent study conditions for readers and also cater for the rise in the quality of security of materials.