CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION

Page
1 Introduction 1

1.1 Academic library 2

1.2 Location of theLibrary buildings 3

1.3 Planning library building 4

1.4 Library space utilization 7

1.5 Information technology and digital libraries 8

1.6 Need for the study 9

1.7 Library standards 9

1.8 Statement of the problem 12

1.9 Definition and meaning of concepts 12

1.10 Library building 12

1.11 Space utilization 13

1.12 College libraries 13

1.13 Mangalore University 13

1.14 Objectives of the study 14

1.15 Chapter scheme 14

 Introduction 1

CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION

Library is a tripartite organization embodied with reference to various

materials, users of wide denominations, and library personnel. These three
constituents co-exist in mutual inter-relationship and are directly linked with the
library building. The library building differs from other buildings in its
infrastructure and functionality. Developments in the field of science and
technology, especially information storage and telecommunication technology,
have greatly influenced the acquisition of information and mode of accessibility.
Therefore, careful planning, construction, and optimum utilization of a library
building is one of the major concerns of modem librarians. A poorly designed
building is of serious handicap to its users and library personnel. A well-planned
library building effectively caters to the intellectual needs of the whole institution
as well as the public in large.
Colleges are the connecting link in the chain of preliminary and higher
education. Nowadays, education lays great emphasis on the utilization of libraries,
especially in the field of higher education. Every academic activity of the college
depends upon the information stored in the minds of the library readers / users or
alumni. Therefore, there is a need to gather nascent information on college level
education in order to meet the requirement of the users on time.
College libraries can play a significant role in the promotion of higher
education by creating a good atmosphere within the library. This would encourage
the students to use the library and improve their knowledge in the limited
period. Such an atmosphere can be created if the library has an independent and
well designed functional building. A badly designed building will hamper
optimum operation and use of the library resources and services. Thus, there is a
demand for an attractive, spacious, well equipped, and functional building with
optimum collection of books, journals, and other resources. A convenient and
 Introduction 2

comfortable library building stimulates the user towards making optimal utilization
of the library resources.
Comfortable study rooms, adequate ventilation, good lighting and seating
arrangement, well designed furniture, hygienic atmosphere, user-friendly
catalogue, bookshelves, reprographic and audio-visual equipments, and computers
and internet facilities uplift the quality as well as efficiency of the college
library. As Corea (1982) observed, “After all library is not just a place where you
should be allowed to read very much like a temple, a mosque or a cathedral which
does not merely allow you to pray, it should make you want to pray. A good
library building can create in people morale, a love for books, for reading and for
knowledge”. Hence, college library buildings need special consideration to attract
users and uplift their creativity.
At one time, any building, which was not adequate for other purposes,
would suffice to house the library. The library was not considered as an important
wing in the educational sphere of a college. Even today, most college libraries are
housed in uncomfortable, extremely old, and outdated buildings. Some library
buildings may look modem and beautiful, but does not meet the basic
requirements of the ICT era of today. Construction of buildings is an expensive
affair, so it is difficult to secure their replacement or to modify at a later stage.
Therefore, it is essential to plan library-building requirements well in advance.

1.1 Academic library

The main reason for the development of academic libraries could be the
spread of general education and research, and the evolution of democratic ideas of
the states’ responsibility towards common citizens. The reading of books for
education, for information, for seeking status, for emotional release, for spiritual
satisfaction, and for pleasure has become universal phenomenon. Gradually, the
reading habit became one of the major factors of life of several individuals. To
fulfill this need, establishment of specific libraries became an essential task. A
library should not be developed with a view to achieve prestige by having a large
 Introduction 3

number of books, but to make it a useful and spread good knowledge among the
users.
There is a need for the development of libraries for imparting knowledge
and these libraries should act as supplementary to support learning in educational
institutions. If the development of the education system is understood properly, it
is easy to follow the requirements of academic libraries. For instance, the academic
college system is the outcome of several education commissions and therefore
libraries requires specially designed to meet its requirements.
The role of academic libraries in developing the college curricula is vital
as it deals with abundant data transferred through research. To meet the academic
library building specifications, it must fulfill the service to its users. As the library
services cater to a wider need of the users, more precise facilities and services are
necessary.
The library building should reflect the needs of a scholar, the teaching
programme, relative emphasis on different subjects and motto of the institution.
Furthermore, it should reflect the individual philosophy and practice of service at
the time of designing and construction. It is necessary for each library to meet the
architectural concepts and construction practices of its specific design. Academic
library buildings need to be built according to the academic library specifications,
standards, and specific roles in the college curricula (Riahinia and Azimi 2010).
Libraries require careful planning and the librarian should work closely
with the administrators and the architects in preparing the specifications of the
library building. A Librarian should invest special attention to the functional
aspects of various units, space utilization, flexibility of its interiors and provision
for future expansion of the library building. The architect could design a functional
building based on the data and information provided by the librarian.

1.2 Location of the library building

Since a library is expected to provide service to all the students and teachers
it should be centrally located in the college campus. No student or teacher should
 Introduction 4

be required to walk long distances from the classroom or hostel to reach the library
building. Therefore, it is necessary to select the site of the library building in an
appropriate place on the campus while preparing the master plan for the
development of the college campus. Likewise, there should be scope for future
expansion. As Ellsworth (1973) points out, although it is clear that the future is
most unclear, the moral for architects is entirely clear. In other words, libraries
should be constructed in areas that will permit indefinite expansion and should be
fully adaptable and capable of housing changing library programmes and of
possibly absorbing non-library activities. While planning the site of the library
building, the following factors should be considered:
a) Library building should be located in the centre of the college campus.
b) The shape and size of the library building should be designed according to
the library standards.
c) The land of the library building should have a hard surface, capable of
bearing the weight of heavy construction and library material.
d) The orientation and elevation of the library building should provide fresh
air as well natural light through windows.
e) It should have enough natural and artificial light, heating and cooling
facilities, dampness control equipment, and fire extinguishers, in order to
prevent book destruction of books.
f) Future expansion of the area must be kept in mind in view of the increasing
student’s population.

1.3 Planning library building

A library building is considered as a living organism in which every part
should undertake a special job in order to make the library active and effective.
Different parts of the library building should be planned in accordance with the
needs of the library users and standards. The library should function in a place
where there is no noise pollution and disturbance. Different sections should be
housed to function without obstacle for and future expansion.
 Introduction 5

Unlike large libraries, it is advisable to plan a single entrance to manage the

entry and exit of users and material in small libraries. According to Oloumi (1994),
“Except in large libraries, it is logical to design only one entrance and exit door in
order to control the traffic easily and minimize the possibility of book theft”.
Tangible planning of a library building with proper infrastructure facilities
saves the time and effort of the users and staff. In unplanned library buildings, it is
difficult to provide services to the users satisfactorily. As Metcalf (1986) says
Since the library is built primarily for those who are to use it, their needs should be
kept in mind; although possibly they should be represented in the planning,
ordinarily their interests are to be looked out for by one or more of the individual
or groups.
During planning, there is a need to consider the number of users in different
parts of the library and the quantum of library collection to be stacked. Since all
the architects are not quite familiar with the function of different sections of
libraries, the librarian needs to provide detailed information of the library services
to fulfill the characteristics of each section of the library.
The success of any organization depends on careful planning,
construction and optimum utilization of a library building and it is one of the major
concerns of modem librarians. Despite different types of libraries, there are
tangible principles for designing the library building. Singh (1986) summarises the
requirements of a library into ten sub-divisions and designates them as ‘Ten
Commandments’.
1. Flexible- with a layout, structure, and services, which are easy to adopt.
2. Compact-for ease of movement of readers, staff, and books.
3. Accessible- from all parts of the campus building.
4. Extendable-to permit future growth with minimum dismption.
5. Varied- in its provision of book storage and of reader services.
6. Organized- to impose appropriate confrontation between books and
readers.
7. Comfortable - to promote efficiency of use.
8. Constant in environment-for the preservation of library materials.
 Introduction 6

9. Secure-to control user behaviour and loss of books.

10. Economic - to be built and maintained with minimum resources both in
finance and staff.
The design of functional libraries should be as easy to use and economical
to operate. New space must enable the library to fulfill its requirement to facilitate
the delivery of high-quality services. Functional interests should be considered as a
priority against purely aesthetic considerations. The design should recognize the
crucial importance of users, documents, relation to information technology, and
dynamic relationships. In universities, this should be achieved by balancing
between the needs of the teaching, learning, and research communities, while in
public libraries between recreational and knowledge-seeking space. There should
be ample scope for new space to enable the service to cater to the needs or
changing vision of their communities.
Recent library design trends emphasize user-centered approach in planning
(Karen 2007). Planning new library space is essentially for users or rather it is for
creating the space where people can interact with the collection. Those who design
libraries, who deliver services and who utilize them should be the focal point of
the whole process. According to Dowlin (1997), the magic of libraries is in
connecting minds, and successful library buildings in the 21st century will enable
those connections to happen.
Generally, allocation of suitable space for library collection, users and the
staff is vital for a successful and functioning of library. The library collection
should be housed in a secure, expandable, and easily accessible part. The space
provided for library collection should be flexible so as to facilitate to house new
library materials easily at their right place. The book stacks should be provided
according to the functional requirements of a particular library. On the other hand,
users should have a quiet, comfortable, functional, and easily accessible place
under one roof.
The staffs also need a comfortable and functional working area in order to
perform their library functions effectively and efficiently. Thus, while planning
 Introduction 7

library buildings these essential and basic needs of the library space should be
borne in mind in order to provide a functional and successful library.

1.4 Library space utilization

The number of sections needed for readers and library users will depend on
the mission of a particular library and the kinds of patrons using the library. In a
academic library, many seats may be a needed to support users who are using the
library’s collections for extended periods of time. Another kind of academic
library might cater to students who do not live on the campus and only attend
college. These students may not be able to spend much time in the library,
preferring instead to select material and borrow it for use at home. This kind of
library may not need many seats. Thus, number of seats needed in a library will
depend on how large a community the library serves.
Space needs should be forecast to meet a future need, based on the library’s
future collections and service goals. The conventional period for this is twenty
years, if for no other reason than the fact that library-building projects do not occur
more than once in a generation. The basic concept of accessing the space needed to
house a library’s collection is quite simple: determine how large that collection
will need to be in order to serve the community and how the library intends to
house the collection, and a formula can be applied to make a rough estimate of
how much area will be needed.
Singh (2009), estimated that the built-in space required for a college library
should be as shown in Table 1.1
 Introduction 8

Table 1.1 Space Requirement for College Library/ Information Centre

Sl.No. Space for different areas Basis Area (m2)

1 Stack Room for 10,000 100 Volumes / m2 100

volumes
2 Reading Room for 50 readers 3.3 m2/Reader 165
3 Librarian and two Senior 15 m2 / Person 45
Professionals
4 Other Professional Staff (27) 9 m2/ Person 243
5 Office: 15 m2 / Person 15
#Administrative officer 9 m2/ Person 198
#Other Staff (22)

6 Library Counter 30
7 At Service Point (15) 5 m2/ Person 75
8 Seminar Room 20
9 Committee Room 20
10 Visitors Room 15
Total: 926
Additional Space for Passage, 370
etc. (Approximately 40% of
space estimated)
Total space required 1296

1.5 Information technology and digital libraries

Modem development in information collection, processing, storing and
dissemination has resulted in the evolution of digital libraries. A digital library is
generally called a global virtual library. It provides necessary information in
various fields directly to the users across a network .The advent of digital libraries
has made an impact on the role of the library and information professionals as well
as library users. Digital libraries posses a number of machine-readable publications
and facilities for remote access to several digital databases. It also provides text
based computerized information system and services. The basic concept of digital
libraries is the sharing of nascent information and resources for users at the right
time globally. Computer terminals have linkages to various sources of information
 Introduction 9

in an electronic or digital form. As digital libraries occupy less space, as well as

manpower, they are cost effectively.

1.6 Need for the study

Knowledge is advancing at a very fast pace in all dimensions. The
publishing industry has undergone a tremendous transformation to keep pace with
the developments. Advances in information and communication technology have
resulted in unbelievable changes in information storage media and its methods of
access. Further, these changes have made a great impact on the behaviour of
information seekers and library users.
Mahatma Gandhi (1968) cautioned librarians by saying, “Plan the building
of the library in such a way that it can be enlarged as the library expands without
marring its symmetry. The later additions should not appear as extraneous
accretions to the original building”. The implications of the Ranganathan’s Five
Laws of Library Science stress the need for proper library building and other
facilities. According to Kaula (1971), a library building should be able to cater
primarily to the following functions:
1. Effective technical operations of the library;
2. Efficient and rapid production of information and materials on demand;
3. Provision of quiet, comfortable and attractive areas for study;
4. Provision of individual and collective studies for the users doing intensive
research work;
5. Provision to facilitate to contact with the contents of the library ;
6. Storage and preservation of reading materials and accessibility of the same
to the users without loss of time.

1.7 Library standards

Library standards have changed to a great extent towards the improvement
of resources and facilities for many decades. Those standards have helped
immensely to improve the nature of resources and facilities available in the
libraries. Two historical standards, namely the Standards for College Libraries
 Introduction 10

1959 and standards for Junior College Libraries, 1960 were developed for library
evaluation by the ALA and instrumental in showing phenomenal improvement in
the libraries within a decade. Libraries applied these standards to evaluate the
existing services, while Government agencies employed them to determine
excellence or special funding for the development of libraries. The accrediting
agencies used these standards to upgrade the library standards. Experts have
employed these standards to provide optimal solutions to constraints in the
libraries. Imparting the library standards for improvement of services is evident
from the continuous efforts in many countries towards developing standards
themselves or designed elsewhere.
Library standards are a set of statements or criteria developed for the
purpose of measuring various elements of library services and include quantitative
and qualitative criteria. They are not only helpful in library work, but they also
help the administrators and heads of the institution towards planning and
administration of libraries. The standards serve dual functions of evaluating the on­
going services as well as of planning better and improved services for the future.
They are an indispensable aid to the library authorities and librarians in developing
adequate book stocks, in functional and an adequate building .They bring
uniformity and order, without which a library is merely a storehouse of hidden
riches.
Singh, (2009) pointed out that, planning for optimum utilization of space is
an important task in the libraries, which calls for the development of a functionally
effective layout of the Information Centre. Indian Standards Institute which is now
known as Bureau of Indian Standards, appointed Ranganathan as the Chairman of
its first Documentation Sectional Committee, which fixed priority to the areas of
the library buildings, furniture’s and fittings. The Committee finalized its draft for
the Standards regarding Buildings, Furniture and Fittings, and as a result IS: 1553
- 1960 (3rd Revision, 1989) Code of practice relating to primary elements in the

design of a library building came into existence, which gives information on the
following aspects:
 Introduction 11

The average size of the different types of libraries in terms of the number of books,
bound volumes of periodicals, number of current periodicals for display, number
of seats for the readers, and staff strength.
1. The different kinds of rooms required for different libraries; and
2. The basis and method of estimating the dimension of each kind of room,
Since 1960, the following more Standards have been developed by the
Indian Standards Institution, they are:
1. IS : 2672 - 1966, Code of Practice for Library Lighting.
2. IS : 1892 (Part I) - 1978, Specifications for Library Furniture and Fittings,
Part I: Timber (1st Revision).
3. IS : 1892 (Part II) - 1977, Specifications for Library Furniture and Fittings,
Part II: Steel.
4. IS : 1233 - 1969, Recommendations for Modular Coordination of
Dimensions in the Building Industry (1st Revision).
5. IS : 1172 - 1971, Code of Basic Requirements for Water Supply, Drainage,
and Sanitation (2nd Revision) and (3rd Revision, 1989).
6. IS : 1883 - 1975, Metal Shelving Racks (Adjustable Type)(2nd Revision).

7. IS : 8338 - 1976, Recommendations relating to Primary Elements in Design

of School Library Buildings.
8. IS : 3312 - 1974, Steel Shelving Cabinets (Adjustable Type)(lst Revision).
9. IS : 4116 - 1976, Wooden Shelving Cabinets (Adjustable Type)
(1st Revision)
All these Standards lay down only the essential dimensions for the proper
functioning of the Fittings and Furniture. Otherwise, full freedom is given to the
architect to plan and design the library building according to the best of his
creative ability.
There are 12,751 general degree colleges in India, which impart graduate
level education of which Karnataka has nearly 761 colleges (Statesman’s
yearbook, 2013). Mangalore University, was established in 1980 has two
constituent colleges and 193 affiliated colleges spread over a geographical
jurisdiction of three districts (Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Kodagu). All these
 Introduction 12

colleges have libraries that provide reading, lending and reference services to their
faculty members and students. The literature survey reveals that some studies have
been conducted on the library facilities, document collection and use, information
resources, and services in college libraries. There exist two studies on planning and
utilization of space in university libraries (Lalithamba, 1992 and Misra, 1987).
However, no study has been conducted on the building infrastructure and space
utilization in college libraries. There are a variety of colleges managed by the
Government or private trusts / agencies / societies or aided by the Government,
while some others are managed by private agencies without Government aid.
Further, unlike universities many of these colleges are located in rural areas to
provide higher education to the rural youth. Therefore, it is felt that there is a need
to understand whether college libraries have been provided with proper building
infrastructure and the extent of meeting the specifications provided by the Bureau
of Indian Standards, ALA, and other organizations.

1.8 Statement of the problem

The theme under the present study is expressed in the title “Building
Infrastructure and Space Utilization in College Libraries Affiliated to Mangalore
University: A Study”.

1.9 Definition and meaning of concepts

The scope and content, in which some of the concepts used in the title and
in the body of the thesis, are defined here to avoid ambiguity in the usage of these
concepts/terms.

1.10 Library building

Gour (2007) referred to it as the building in which the collection of books
and other reading and reference materials is housed and from where all its service
operations radiate.
 Introduction 13

1.11. Space utilization

According to Mount Ellis (1988), a critical step in the process of preparing
a programme is the calculation of the amount of space needed for the staff, for
library users, and for the collection.

1.12. College libraries

A college is considered as an academic institution of higher learning
offering three-year degree courses. In colleges, the library occupies a prominent
position and is an important and integral part of the teaching programme. The main
aim of a college education and college library is inter-related. A library develops a
sense of responsibility in the pursuit of knowledge and stimulates the students to
obtain, evaluate, and get them acquainted with various trends of acquiring
knowledge. Khanna (1997) said, “College libraries are the important intellectual
resource of the academic community, and helps in the fulfillment of curriculum
requirements and acts as a promoter of study and resource”. An attempt is made
here to study the libraries of different academic colleges of Mangalore University.

1.13. Mangalore University

Mangalore University is located at a distance of 18 kms southeast of the

city of Mangalore. It was established on September 10th, 1980 to cater to the higher

education needs of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Kodagu Districts, affiliating

173 colleges (including two constituent colleges and five Autonomous Colleges)
imparting education in the field of Arts, Commerce, Science, Law and Education.
The University campus, spread over an area of about 350 acres, has become a
major centre for advanced academic studies and research. The university is
accredited at the Four Star level by the National Assessment and Accreditation
Council (NAAC), Bangalore (www.mangaloreuniversity.ac.in).
 Introduction 14

1.14 Objectives of the Study

The central purpose of the study is to identify the “Building Infrastructure
and Space Utilization in College Libraries Affiliated to Mangalore University: A
Study”. The specific objectives of the proposed study are as follows:

1. To record the number of colleges having independent library buildings;

2. To assess the adequacy of space for proper functioning of the library and to
provide services on par with the present day information era;
3. To examine whether the library buildings, including space planning are as
per the provisions or specifications of the library Standards;
4. To consider the architectural and aesthetic aspects of the library buildings,
their internal layout, physical facility, and hygienic environment within and
outside the library building;
5. To understand whether the library buildings are maintained properly and the
space provided is being utilized fully;
6. To follow the problems / limitations if any and to suggest remedies to
overcome the same and to facilitate the proper utilization of space and
physical amenities, and improve the use of libraries and their resources.

1.15 Chapter Scheme

The thesis has been divided into six chapters:

Chapter I:
This chapter introduces the topic of research, importance of library building and its
planning. It will establish the need and importance of the research and identify
research problems. Objectives, scope and limitations of the study, methodology
adopted tools used for collection and analyses of the data are explained. It also
provides a brief outline of the remaining chapters.
 Introduction 15

Chapter II:
Chapter II consists of the review of literature. Literature published in different
forms, in India and abroad o,n library buildings, space planning, space utilization
and other relevant issues have been reviewed and systematically presented under
broad subject headings.

Chapter III:
This chapter briefly describes the research process, including the hypotheses and
population of the study, and also the instruments used for data collection, response
pattern, techniques used for data analysis and scope and limitation of the study.

Chapter IV:
In this chapter, analysis of the data related to the opinion of the librarians about
library buildings and other infrastructure has been presented.

Chapter V:
Analysis of the data related to opinion of the users about library buildings and
other infrastructure has been presented in this chapter.

Chapter VI:
Major findings of the study and suggestions for the improvement of the building
infrastructure and space utilization among the college libraries are presented in this
chapter. Areas for further research have been given along with concluding
remarks.
 Introduction 16

References
ACRL. (1959). Standards for college libraries. College and Research Libraries, 20
(My), 274-280.
ACRL. (1960). Standards for Junior college libraries. College and Research
Libraries, 21{May), 200-206.
Barry, T. (2012). Statesman Year Book 2013. New York: Macmillan.
BIS. (2002).Bureau of Indian Standards. Retrieved on 2-3-2012, from
http://www.bis.org.in
Corea, C. M., & Khandawala, K. V. (1982). Inaugural address. Paper presented at
the Western regional conference on library architecture.
Dowlin, K. E. (1997). Library Buildings and Equipment, Paper presented at the
Intellectual Library Buildings: Proceedings of the 10th Seminar of the IFLA
section, Hague.
Ellis, M. (1988). Creative Planning ofSpecial Library Facilities. London:
Howarth
Ellsworth , R. E. (1973). Academic library buildings. A guide to architecturl issues
and solutions. Boulder: Colorado Associated University Press,
Gandhi, M. K. (1968). Library- abodes of wisdom. Timeless fellowship. Delhi:
Vikas.
Gour, P. N. (2007). Glossary ofLibrary Science Technical Terms. Patna: Library
Publications.
Karen, L. (2007). IFLA Library Building Guidelines: Development and reflections.
Munchen: K.G. Saur.
Kaula, P. N. (1971). Library building: Planning and design. Delhi: Vikas.
Khanna, J. K. (1997). Manualfor administering Academic Libraries. New Delhi:
Beacon Books.
Lalithamba, G. (1992). Planning and utilization ofspace in university library
buildings in Karnataka: An evaluation. University of Mysore, Mysore.
Mangalore University retrieved on 10.11.2013. from www. Mangalore
university.ac.in
 Introduction 17

Metcalf, K. D. (1986). Planning academic and research library buildings. .

Chicago: American Library Association.
Misra, V. N. (1987). Planning and design of University library level buildings.
Kamatak University, Dharwad.
NIBS. (2010). Libraries: Overview. Retrieved on 12-11-2012, from
http://www.wbdg.org/design/libraries.php
Oloumi, T. (1994). Library administration-. Tehran: SAMT.
Riahinia, & Azimi. (2010). Iranian Academic Library Buildings: A study of
Library Facilities and Status. Library Herald, 48(1), 25-34.
Singh, P. K. (2009). Library Standards: Buildings, Furniture’s & Manpower.,
Retrieved on 10-11-2012, from
http://pramod.singh.tripod.com/library_standards.htmSingh
Singh, R. (1986). Building, furniture and equipmentfor special libraries. In:
Library Management. Delhi: B.R. Publishers.