Library design is no longer just a building that houses a group of shelves, cabinets, tables, and chairs to display books, periodicals, and newspapers for reading, but it has become formed according to modern designs that keep pace with modern life, and keep pace with readers' aspirations and their changing moods in reading and research, and the change in reading times.

Technology and the emergence of electronic books may have robbed reading of its initial glow, as readers and researchers among them used to sit for long hours in public libraries, reading, recording, and noting. Nevertheless, international libraries still have their glow and presence as they worked on developing book display methods, cared for cultural events, and began providing their readers with patterns of entertainment such as drinks, or some light foods, and finally prepared for them bedrooms in the library for overnight stays and reading.

Some specialized engineers in traditional library design believe that it must include: the main reading hall, the lending section, the catalog section, the periodicals and magazines section, book classification halls, study retreats, storerooms, library administration, services consisting of book maintenance spaces, photocopying areas, tool storerooms, smoking rooms, and restrooms. However, the social, tourist, and investment dimensions in the world of libraries must be taken into account.

Unique Designs

The Architecture and Design Commission has launched a competition for designing libraries in the Kingdom, as recent studies have confirmed that the distinguished designs of public libraries have a profound effect on attracting readers, and even beyond that to make many uninterested in reading frequent the libraries to view their unique designs, and consequently enter the world of books and reading while there.

Reading today requires attractive places with their wonderful designs and services, so that
they witness a remarkable turnout from reading enthusiasts. Over time, these libraries turn into wonderful artistic masterpieces given the nature of their designs that were carried out with the "easy-to-complex" philosophy in mind.

Among the prominent libraries with their activities and services are the King Abdulaziz Public Library, whose latest building was designed in the form of an open book with some circular pages stretching inside, the King Fahd National Library, designed in the form of a large group of adjacent papers, and the "Ithra" library which belongs to what are called "libraries of the twenty-first century" for several reasons, including the non-traditional design of the library. "Ithra" sought through the design of its library to surpass traditional ideas for public libraries, whether in the general design or through the details, where readers are greeted by a (cafe) to create a more comfortable and harmonious atmosphere away from the usual routine at library entrances. The library design also took into account creating intellectual horizons and dimensions in a way that simulates the subconscious of the readers, and thus leaving a different impact and unique experience for them after visiting the library.

Most Beautiful Libraries Globally

According to the (mirror) website, it intentionally chose some of the most beautiful libraries in the world, which can be a tourist experience in addition to being a cultural reading experience. Including: (Admont Abbey) in Austria, (Prague National) in the Czech Republic, classified as one of the most beautiful libraries in the world, (Stuttgart) in Germany, (Trinity Dublin) in Britain, the (Escorial) library in Spain, (New York Public) in America, which is the largest public library in North America and the third largest in the world after the Library of Congress and the British Library, containing (53) million materials ranging from books, tapes and maps, the (Starfield) library in South Korea, (The Mountain) in the Netherlands, and (the National Library of France). Most of these libraries adopt a commercial and tourist character, and include cafes, display screens, corners for selling souvenirs and books, and places for taking pictures, and some collect fees from visitors and patrons.


Binhai Eye in China:

One of the most modern libraries designed five years a, specifically in October 2017, is the (Binhai Eye Library) in China, which is in the shape of an (eye) designed in a wavy manner in the form of an eye. The library opening witnessed a large celebration including high officials in the state and a group of artists. The Binhai area in Tianjin was chosen because it is one of the most crowded cities in China, with a population of about 15 million people.

The library includes nearly 1.2 million books in various cultures and languages, serving to satisfy the desire of researchers and students. The library was built on an area of 34,000 square meters, consisting of five floors of great splendor and distinction, designed by the international Dutch firm TUPDI in cooperation with the Tianjin Institute of Planning and Urban Design.

The company announced that it succeeded in establishing this great edifice within three years. That company excelled in its design as the library has a special architectural character like no other; it looks like a painting drawn in perfect harmony. The library is distinguished by its oval shape resembling sea waves, and it has become one of the largest libraries in the world.

To break the routine in some libraries, some private libraries have resorted to providing sleeping places for their patrons for quiet reading. A library that operates 24 hours a day was recently opened in Zhengzhou, the capital of Henan Province in central China. The library provides individual "sleeping capsules" for patrons, aiming to offer a more private and comfortable space to enjoy reading, especially during the night hours.

According to the Chinese newspaper "China Daily," the library, called "City Light," is equipped with 12 sleeping capsules that offer basic overnight accommodation for readers.

Each capsule is named after a famous author and their birthplace, and is equipped with a lamp with controllable light intensity, as well as a pillow, cover, and other amenities.

The bookstore owner said the design was inspired by Japanese capsule hotels, small autonomous hotel rooms.

Will public libraries in the future resort to establishing bedrooms, clubs, gyms, and cafes within the general building of the library, or will they turn into library hotels?

References:

·       https://al-ain.com/article/chinese-library-sleeping-capsules-reading

·       https://www.almrsal.com/post/572266

·       https://www.alwatan.com.sa/article/1077566