LIBER Architecture Group: Hungary 2008 Sally Earney

 4 days  24 presentations  6 Hungarian libraries visited  Budapest and Debrecen

Finland Scotland Denmark Ireland England Germany Poland Austria Hungary France Spain

Library visits

National Sz échenyi Library, Budapest

Metropolitan Ervin Szab ó Library

Ny íregyháza College Library

Debrecen Town Square

Debrecen County Library

Learning Points

Debrecen University Library

France survey – (Brisbouck)

 150 building projects in France 1992 2007   Out of hours access non-existent 0/22 had a café  9/22 self-service   10/22 exhibition space Teachers don’t use tailor made reading rooms

France survey – (Brisbouck)

 1 week course on Library refurbishment  Considerable rise loans / visits post refurb  Average 7 group study rooms  Problems remain – ventilation, accoustics, weather-proofing

German survey (Mittler)

         80 libraries surveyed McDonald’s 10 (11) Commandments Climate Noise control Energy consumption More group study needed Security E-learning and ICT New builds and extensions far more successful than refurbishments

Interesting facts

   Decreased open access by from 300k to 75k books and increased user spaces (Copenhagen)    Underground parking (Warsaw) Increased open access by approx 300% (Warsaw) Architectural competition (Warsaw / Helsinki) 7 thematic areas (colours) – book labels (Reims) Users want non-traditional furniture (Copenhagen)

Interesting facts…

 Users want to leave books – 1 day to next – 300 lockers (Copenhagen)  1% of budget to decorate – Danish artist – Arts Foundation funded – inspiration Danish carpet 1500s – replica combined with neon! (Copenhagen)  Almost all shelving compact shelving (Cork)

Interesting facts…

 Used materials in the new build that were used in older buildings in Cork – to blend in    Library appears on ALL University publications (Bournemouth) 60% self-service – 1 st year (Bournemouth) Staff use walkie talkies to communicate (Bournemouth)  Alumni fund purchase of comfy tub chairs (Bournemouth)

Interesting facts…

  Staff consulted to design their own areas (Cork) Regular presentations to staff by Architect (Cork)   Private offices for subject librarians (Cork) Reduction from 160 library units (1993) to 4 units (2010) (Helsinki)  By 2015 50-60% of library tasks done at degree level. Further staff reduction from 250 to 220 due to automation (Helsinki)

Interesting facts…

      Used Bonnard paintings as inspiration for colours (Paris Dauphine) Events auditoria (Llobregat) Same card for copying and coffee machine! (Szeged) RFID card can be used to gain access and to pay fees – payment station (Karlsruhe) Removed lending desks (Karlsruhe) Visitor behaviour (peak 12-4pm and 7pm – midnight. Few between 1.30-4.30am (10-15). Overcrowding. Sitting on stairs! (Karlsruhe)

Issues

 Use of glass in building – too much daylight (Warsaw)  Often delays – political decision-making (Bournemouth – 10 years discussion before funding agreed)  Open v closed access (Copenhagen v Warsaw)  Physical environment – noise, temperature

Key Learning Points

 Same issues as UK – e.g. need for group study facilities, social areas  Planning now based on learning spaces rather than collection focus   Customer not collection focus!

Don’t use glass – libraries need little but good quality light  Architect needs to make many visits to find out the real job of the library

Key Learning Points

    Building can become an icon – an urban meeting point - but should not only be about aesthetics Libraries as 3 rd places – community e.g. “Nike City” “Mercedes World” (Watson) Imagination must be top of list when designing libraries (Watson) Spaces can develop people’s happiness (Watson)  All learning starts with Conversation (Watson)

 Those involved in library new-builds or refurbishments cite it as highlights of their careers (Brisbouck)

Presentations available at: http://www.zhbluzern.ch/liber-lag/lageps.htm#budapest