Renewing our Libraries

With the wish to heighten their profile, modernize their environment and increase use, libraries in the UK have refurbished and, where necessary and possible, extended their existing buildings. Although much has been achieved in this regard across the UK, more continues and needs to be accomplished. The case-studies in this book provide librarians, architects and others with examples of what has been undertaken and highlight the policies, processes, design issues - and the problems that have been overcome - leading to successful library refurbishments. While the case studies are mainly drawn from the UK and cover a variety of library types, the book has wider international appeal and includes case studies drawn from Ireland, Sweden and the USA.

Michael Dewe had extensive experience at senior level in public libraries and latterly as a University Lecturer in the Department of Information Studies at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, Wales. As well as a long-standing commitment to writing and lecturing about library buildings, he also acted as a consultant both in the UK and abroad. Actively involved with the IFLA Section on Library Buildings and Equipment for a number of years, he was also a member of the judging panel for the Public Library Building Awards scheme from 1995 to 2003.