The public library is the place where I came every Saturday as a child to choose stories. The whole week I spent in a fantasy world, looking forward to the next visit to the library. The library is also the place where I first used a computer, took shelter from the rain while waiting for the bus home, tasted buffalo worms and crickets, and attended a mocktail workshop. Not what you would expect, right?
However, the library as a social center is not a new concept: Andrew Carnegie, an influential American industrialist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries and philanthropist, believed in the power of public libraries. Specifically, to provide educational opportunities to those who would otherwise not have the means to acquire certain knowledge. His contribution to the construction of numerous public libraries, especially in the United States of America, has significantly contributed to the overall level of literacy and education in the entire Western world. He broke boundaries by providing space for knowledge development not only for men but also for women and even children.
This certainly translates into architecture as well. Most libraries were focused on practical space-efficient design and accessibility. Everyone, regardless of social class or age, was and still is welcome. Large reading rooms where the collection is not separated, rooms for educational programs with auditoriums, and frequently used community spaces for meetings of, for example, women's clubs, contribute to that public character. It creates space for community engagement. A critical note is that libraries were often only accessible after climbing a staircase. From the concept of 'thirteen steps of knowledge,' those who are truly ambitious and find value in the library would climb the stairs. Those for whom climbing the stairs was too much would not be deemed worthy of knowledge. While these stairs excluded people who wanted to access the library but were physically unable to climb the stairs, such as the elderly. Bittersweet philanthropy: only available to productive people who would contribute to society and could participate in the capitalist game that Carnegie's rags-to-riches story had depicted.
Not everyone received the necessary funding from Carnegie. Communities had to complete an application (not a simple task in a time of widespread illiteracy) and submit their plans. The plans had to comply with a pamphlet that Carnegie and his partners had drafted between 1903 and 1911 after consulting with top librarians and architects. This pamphlet, "Notes on the Erection of Library Buildings," provided 5-6 scenarios for the planned layout of the library with recommendations based on the size of the building and the plot. The pamphlet also emphasized adaptability for future expansion along the northern facade, which had to remain as plain and windowless as possible. This turned out to be a wise calculation, as many libraries expanded over time along with their collections. To have a lasting impact, these libraries were often designed and constructed using sustainable materials and construction methods. "Notes on the Erection of Library Buildings" is still relevant today.
Over the years, with the development of basic education and the rise of the internet, the focus has shifted from pure knowledge acquisition. The use of the library has evolved from pure education to a mixed-use with relaxation and interaction. Think, for example, of the regular visitor who comes every morning to read his newspaper, retirees looking for a chat in the coffee corner, and even the more organized book club... This shared experience leads to dialogue. By providing space for that dialogue, a library positions itself at the heart of our digital society as social infrastructure and a resilient center. In essence, libraries transcend their physical presence. They offer comfort, companionship, and a refuge from digital noise. Much needed in a society where loneliness is growing and people are increasingly becoming isolated in their own metaverse.
A good example of a 'modern' library where attention has been paid to a central forum is the library of Beringen in Belgium. A library with a circular ground plan where a large void creates a central space for all kinds of activities. Around this void, on the ground floor, various functions such as a reading room, coffee corner, lending counters, but also a computer corner and children's corner are located. On the upper floors, shelves with adventures and intimate reading corners alternate. The recent expansion with the multipurpose hall, reading terrace, and initiatives such as workshops, plant library... truly make this library a vibrant heart of the community of Beringen. This investment was worth it, especially after the closure of local neighborhood libraries due to budget cuts. But that's a story for another time.
In conclusion, the public library symbolizes a safe, open, and free public place where childhood memories meet adult needs. From the first encounters with stories to taking shelter from the rain and eating crickets, the library transcends its physical space to become a beacon of community involvement and knowledge dissemination. Inspired by visionary efforts of figures such as Andrew Carnegie, libraries have evolved into centers of social contact that dynamically respond to the changing needs of society. At the same time, principles of inclusivity and even sustainability remain part of their core identity. In the digital age, the library remains an essential antidote to growing loneliness, an oasis amidst the chaos of the virtual world. Through thoughtful design and innovative programming, libraries like those in Beringen embody the enduring relevance of these cultural institutions, as drivers of community cohesion and resilience. As we look back on the past and into the future, one thing remains clear: the library continues to shape our collective story, offering a refuge where analog and digital worlds come together. It is the place where the spirit of exploration and connection thrives.
~ Kimberly Wouters, Architect.
*Fearful Cricketnoises*
Source on Carnegie's libraries: CAPPS,K., How Andrew Carnegie Built the Architecture of American Literacy, internet, 28 oktober 2014, (17 maart 2024), https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2014-10-28/how-andrew-carnegie-built-the-architecture-of-american-literacy.
Link to the main public library of Beringen: Startpagina | Bibliotheek Beringen
Fragments about and out of "Notes on the Erection of Library Buildings":
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