The Role of the Library Buildings Consultant in a National Library Project: A Personal Perspective

Abstract

The role of a library buildings consultant is to interpret for the architect the operational needs of a library building. In some countries the concept is almost unknown, though in the USA such a consultant is part of the team in most library building projects, and in less developed countries the need is greater because experience of major library planning is rare. Ideally he should be involved from the start in the preparation of the brief, and then continue advising through all the stages of design up to construction, but this is uncommon. There are long periods when the consultant has no part to play. Wide library experience and considerable knowledge of planning and designing buildings are required, especially in such cases as hybrid national/university libraries or where the national archives are included in the building. Problems include possible clashes with the architect and political changes in the country. The consultant may be engaged to advise an architect who is entering a competition for a new library building. The infrequent creation of national libraries makes it likely that advice from foreign consultants will continue to be needed.