Libraries with a Future: How Are Academic Library Usage and Green Demands Changing Building Designs? Michael Wescott Loder Support for the modular system of building construction, touted in the second half of the 20th century as the best basis for academic library building design, appears to be waning. A study of “green” libraries in 2008 revealed that not only has energy conservation become important, but that spaces designed for users rather than books have become paramount. The modular system worked particularly well for housing ever-expanding book collections, but collection growth is no longer a practical goal. Users want and need a greater variety of spaces, which purpose-built rooms are better at meeting. reenness and LEED (Leader- he was hearing concerning the functions ship in Energy and Environ- of these new spaces and the “modern” mental Design)1 have become design criteria that academic library de- hot features for many new sign experts promoted throughout much buildings since the turn of the century. of the second half of the 20th century. To While increasing numbers of public li- understand that contrast and where these braries have achieved LEED ratings buildings are now headed, a historical for their energy and sustainable design understanding of the older criteria is features, fewer college and university essential. libraries can yet boast of this designation. In 2008, the author visited a range of these Background green academic libraries in an attempt to The July 1984 issue of College & Research see how their design approaches were Libraries featured an article2 by David affecting structure and usage. LEED’s Kaser in which he provided a nearly com- criteria involve more than just using prehensive overview of academic library less electricity or recycling construction building construction over the previous materials. They also grant points for ef- twenty-five years. An open and vocal fective space functions and a building’s advocate of the modular system of library long-term operational outlook. Touring design, Kaser bemoaned the growing these buildings, observing, and speaking shift away from the purely boxes-within- with local staff, the author found himself a-box simplicity of such designs and the reflecting on the contrast between what increasing use of special function spaces. Michael Wescott Loder is the recently retired and former Campus Librarian for the Schuylkill Campus of Pennsylvania State University; e-mail: [email protected]. © Michael Wescott Loder 348 crl-37r1 Libraries with a Future 349 This article was but a prelude to his more rapid expansion in academic publishing— comprehensive history of academic librar- particularly in journals—and increasingly ies entitled The Evolution of the Academic diverse functions while also using these Library Building published by Scarecrow often giant and visual structures to raise in 1997.3 Yet, even in this later work, Kaser their own prestige.6 The author’s own showed little interest in moving away home library was part of this growth as from his earlier position, as he contin- it moved from inadequate and confin- ued to promote modular systems and ing quarters into a stand-alone building condemn fixed function spaces. Modular three times as large and offering all the designs were the standard. latest in technology. While many of these A “modular” library, as its name im- structures continued the established mod- plies, is a building in which floor layouts ular tradition, others chose to embrace form a uniform grid, often marked by postmodernism, using more complex support pillars set at regular intervals. designs with more symbolism. But by the It would be expected that every square mid-’00s, the growing worldwide energy or rectangle of space defined by these crisis was affecting even this approach, columns would be exactly the same size. and energy savings became more impor- It would also be expected that each floor tant. An awareness of this change led the of a modular library would be a duplicate author to take a closer look at a range of of any floor above or below it. Often, the buildings beyond those readily reachable size of a module reflected the dimensions within his own Middle Atlantic region. of standard book shelving units. Using Is the modular system gone? Have modules as a basis for a building gave enough changes occurred to the fun- libraries an almost unlimited ability to damental mission of academic libraries move stacks, furniture, and user spaces and their buildings that a new standard to compensate for ever-growing collec- is called for? The libraries the author tions—then the focus of concern. visited are different and indicative of the The late Ralph Ellsworth and Keyes D. major changes that are occurring, and not Metcalf, through the force of their person- just because of greenness. The enormous alities, their numerous writings, and their changes in technology resulting from the prominent positions within the academic expansion of computing into all aspects libraries community, had been firm ad- of library activities and librarianship have vocates of modular systems. Metcalf’s irrevocably remolded what librarians do. Planning Academic and Research Library Newer librarians today are bringing to the Buildings4 was for many years the bible profession different skills, knowledge, for any academic librarian contemplating and, most important, a different world a building project, and it continues to live view from even what was taught and pro- on under the same title and philosophy moted as recently as 15 years ago. Now it in a third edition authored by Philip D. is starting to change the buildings most Leighton and David C. Weber (ALA 1999). of us work in, the “library” of librarian- Metcalf worked closely with the Boston- ship. Library work has changed quickly based architectural firm of Shepley, Bul- and considerably, but buildings more finch, Richardson & Abbott. Considering slowly. In many cases, cosmetic altera- that firm’s continuing prominence in the tions have occurred; but, if the libraries world of academic library projects in this the author visited are any indication, the country,5 the importance and pervasive- “Library with a Future” will involve more ness of the modular system in the late 20th than simply a matter of adding ethernet century cannot be ignored. to every room or placing workstations The 1990s saw a surge in academic in every cubicle. Academic libraries library construction as colleges and are becoming physical and electronic universities struggled to accommodate a intellectual gathering places rather than 350 College & Research Libraries July 2010 repositories of books. They are a place of changing user needs and desires—an choice for students and faculty wanting to approach practical and efficient in itself. get academic work done. With that focus While most of these libraries had water- in mind, new and renovated buildings less urinals, non–off-gassing carpeting are evolving into different structures that and other symbols of a low-energy, sus- will meet the greater academic and energy tainable environment, it was the focus needs of this century. on spaces for patrons rather than for collections that was most noticeable. The Visits Naturally lit, comfortable areas, study In the spring and summer of 2008, the rooms, wireless capacity, snack bars, author visited a total of ten new, or newly and more electrical outlets were evident renovated, academic libraries across the everywhere. United States. All but two had received or At the start of this project in 2007, had applied for a LEED rating, testifying there was still little information available to their new “greenness.” about which new academic libraries were But what he found most striking about LEED-certified or had “green” aspects. these “green” libraries was not their en- Informal queries indicated a lot of interest ergy efficiency or their healthy interiors. but identified little definite information Rather, it was their close attention to and even fewer completed projects. By Table 1 list of libraries Visited (in order of visitation): Duke University, Durham, N.C.: ● Perkins Complex: Completed 1928, 1948, 1968. Renovation of 1968 addition under way when visited, completed spring 2009. LEED not yet completed. ● Bostock Library: Opened 2005. LEED certification submitted, never completed. Emory University, Atlanta, Ga.: ● Asa Griggs Candler Library: opened in 1926. Renovation opened in 2003. LEED Silver. Georgia State University, Atlanta, Ga.: ● University Library. Built 1966. Renovation completed February 2007. Non-LEED. Some green features. University of Florida, Gainesville, Fla.: ● George A. Smathers Libraries, Library West. Originally built in 1967. Following renovation, reopened in August 2006. LEED Gold. University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo.: ● William A. Wise Law Library. Occupied August 2006. LEED Gold. University of Califronia, Merced, Calif.: ● Library. Occupied in 2005, completed 2006, but still changing as of 2008. LEED Gold. Pacific University, Forest Grove, Ore.: ● Library. Occupied August 2005. LEED Certified. Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Penn.: ● School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture Library. Occupied in summer 2005. LEED Gold. Penn State/Wilkes Barre, Lehman, Penn.: ● Nesbitt Library. Completed 2008. LEED Certified. Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Mass.: ● Hayden Library (Building 14). Completed 1950. Photovoltaic panels on roof. Installed September 2004. Libraries with a Future 351 IllusTraTIon 1 An obvious symbol of the LEED-gold status of the University of California–Merced’s new library are the numerous awnings that run above the windows blocking direct sunlight. networking with colleagues within LLA- the-moment visits took place, personnel MA’s Buildings and Equipment Section were friendly and tried to accommodate. (BES), searching the Web and reviewing Set questions concerning LEED factors the annual architectural issues of Library helped give a common perspective, but Journal and American Libraries, a list grew often the buildings spoke for themselves to include 11 locations. Not all of these via their layouts, furnishings, and special were actually LEED-certified.