LDN Architects Edinburgh Central Library Strategic Options Development Study by LDN Architects May 2008 LDN Architects | edinburgh 0131 556 8631 | forres 01309 673221 | [email protected] | www.ldn.co.uk CONTENTS Executive Summary 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 A Central Library 1.2 Background to this study 1.3 Summary of Conservation Plan 1.4 Purpose of this study 1.5 Methodology 1.6 Limitations 2.0 DEFINING THE NEED 2.1 Edinburgh’s Library Service 2.2 Impediments to service provision at Central Library 2.3 The role of Central Libraries at the start of the 21 Century 2.4 Recent trends in the design of library buildings 2.5 The influence of information technology 2.6 Departmental collections at Edinburgh Central Library 2.7 Building Size 2.8 Vision Statement 3.0 SETTING OBJECTIVES 3.1 Introduction 3.2 Policies 3.3 The Objectives 4.0 THE OPTIONS 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Central Location 4.3 Do the minimum 4.4 Relocation of part or whole of library 4.5 Extend Library to the West 5.0 APPRAISAL 5.1 Introduction 5.2 Philosophy of Decision Analysis 5.3 Methodology 5.4 Selection of Participants 5.5 Workshop Day 1 5.6 Recess 5.7 Operational Criteria for Analysis 5.8 Workshop Day 2 6.0 CONCLUSIONS 6.1 Review of Analysis 6.2 Areas for further study 6.3 Implementation CENTRAL LIBRARY APPENDICES A Existing areas B Required areas C Spatial diagrams D Review of Old Town Morphology and current developments E Discussion on site to the west of Central Library F Literary Heritage G Report from meeting with Planning H Reports from CEC stakeholders (Services for Communities) I Sub-services Plan J 5 year maintenance plan K Schedule of works L Estimated Costs CENTRAL LIBRARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Executive Summary Libraries empower people. Free and open access to knowledge and information underpins our democratic way of life. Central libraries offer this to the greatest possible number of people in the cities they serve. Edinburgh Central Library is a much loved, widely used asset in the heart of the City. Students, families, tourists, researchers and readers of all ages seek out its books and its rooms. They have free access to its diverse collections and can usually find some where within its impressive walls that matches their mood, whether quietly contemplative or information hungry. The Central Library continues to provide the kind of service, envisaged by Andrew Carnegie when making his original bequest, that led to the creation of Edinburgh’s first free public library in 1890. This ‘most potent agency’, has almost half a million visitors per year, and its collections draw people from across the globe. However, decades of low investment have resulted in a Central Library that is a jaded, tired incarnation of what was once at the forefront of library design. Central Library from George IV Bridge This study identifies what should be done to create a Central Library that is worthy of Scotland’s capital. It builds on the findings of the Conservation Plan for the Central Library, prepared in 2002, which described how the fine George Washington Browne building has been compromised by decades of piecemeal alteration, how this is limiting proper access to the Library’s unique and popular collections, and how the Library has become ‘inefficient, inaccessible to many and confusing to use’. This new study defines where problems with the Central Library building mitigate against the delivery of an excellent central library service. It examines what has been achieved in other cities in recent years, and defines what facilities Edinburgh’s central library should have, if, in the future, it is going to properly address the needs and expectations of the communities it serves. The study translates these requirements into a number of possible re-development options for the Central Library. The re-development options identified in the study cover the full spectrum of possibilities, ranging from the best use of the existing Library buildings, to the relocation of the whole Library in a new purpose built facility. An estimate of cost for each of these options has also been produced. The study concludes by identifying the relative advantages and disadvantages of each of the re-development options and, following a rigorous, formal appraisal process, arrives at a clear recommendation for re-development as follows: CENTRAL LIBRARY EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Preferred Development Option Develop the vacant site to the west of the existing Library to create a new, purpose made facility and link this to the re-developed existing building. Dispose of the existing library annexes (Option 2d). Of all the re-development options, Option 2d above scored most highly in relation to the objectives defined in this study. The appraisal process which led to the selection of this option is described in section 5.0 of this report. It shows how various criteria were considered, which included the following: • Good geographical accessibility • Opportunities for commercial partnerships • Contribution to City centre diversity • Positive heritage outcome • Flexibility of building in use • Collections combined in one location The study also shows that Option 1a is worthy of further consideration. Alternative Development Option Develop separate lending library in another city centre location by re-using an existing building. Retain the Edinburgh Collections at the existing library and dispose of the library annexes (Option 1a). This Option scored well in comparison to other Options, but less well than Option 2d. The initial cost of Option 1a is lower than the preferred option but it would only become possible if an opportunity arises to acquire a suitable building in a city centre location. CENTRAL LIBRARY CONTRIBUTORS This Strategic Options Development Study was prepared for City of Edin- burgh Council by with assistance from , both of LDN Architects LLP. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Throughout the preparation of this Study a number of people have contrib- uted time and expertise including , Mark Turley, Angela Leitch, and vari- ous members of staff of Central Library. Images from the Libraries collections have been reproduced to illustrate the collections of Central Libraries with their permission. CENTRAL LIBRARY 1.0 INTRODUCTION 1.1 A CENTRAL LIBRARY 1.2 BACKGROUND TO THIS STUDY 1.3 SUMMARY OF CONSERVATION PLAN 1.4 PURPOSE OF THIS STUDY 1.5 METHODOLOGY 1.6 LIMITATIONS INTRODUCTION A CENTRAL LIBRARY 1.1 A CENTRAL LIBRARY Central libraries are the heart of city based library services. As defined in UNESCO / IFLA guidelines: “The primary purposes of the public library are to provide resources and services in a variety of media to meet the needs of individuals and groups for education, information, personal development including recreation and leisure. They have an important role in the development and maintenance of a democratic society by giving the individual access to a wide and varied range of knowledge, ideas and opinions”. Such high level ambition recognises that libraries are multi-faceted institu- tions. Their role in education supports formal and informal learning as a lifelong process which includes the promotion of literacy and the acquisi- tion of new proficiencies such as computer skills. As repositories of organ- ised information, libraries provide access to history and heritage and act as gateways to the Internet. Their role in recreation and leisure provides access to knowledge and works of imagination, as well as promoting life skills re- lating to health, literacy and jobs. In culture and the arts, libraries provide a focus for cultural development and support cultural identity. Uniquely Central Library from George IV Bridge though, unlike other public or commercial facilities, libraries are neutral, safe places which cross boundaries between learning and leisure. As places for informal contact with others, libraries provide an important function which contributes to social inclusion. Central libraries, as distinct from branch libraries, usually comprise a series of specialist libraries, with a range of central services which, together, fulfil the following roles: “ • to act as the command headquarters and library service flag- ship. • to provide resources in depth. • to act as a local branch or community library, offering a popular library service for all age groups. • to reinforce district and branch collections. • to serve those living outside the bounds of a city and beyond. • to act as a channel for accessing information held locally and elsewhere. • to act as a special or academic library for some users, such as students, specialists or citizen scholars. • to house the research collections. • to house the principal non-book material and non-print col- lections, such as maps, sheet music, sound and moving image recordings. • to organise and offer cultural events. “ INTRODUCTION A CENTRAL LIBRARY Much has been written about the relative merits of combining all these services within one building as compared to dispersing particular functions closest to those who would most frequently use them. Arguments in fa- vour of either approach can be made at both a philosophical and practical level, but in all cases are tempered by local circumstances. That is to say that there is no universally accepted ideal model for a central library. The most appropriate model for any city will be dependent on its particular population distribution, urban morphology and transport infrastructure. Edinburgh’s Central Library has continuously provided the full range of serv- ices described above since its formation. Its location, in the centre of the Old Town, has ensured its continuing usefulness to wide ranges of population groups including local residents, students, out of town visitors, academ- ics, school pupils, researchers and tourists. The building has proved to be inherently capable of adaptation, to the extent that the changing emphasis on individual services and changes in working practices have been accom- modated by numerous modifications to the building.