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CAPSULE RESEARCH FORMAT
I. Title:
“Elevating User Experience: Reimagining Public Libraries as Public Spaces”
Alternative Titles:
“A Proposed Revitalized Public Library with an Integrated Museum”
“User Experience Architecture: Integrating Libraries and Museums”
II. Name of Researcher:
Junnces M. Amagsila
III. Research Area: (Check the priority research area)
c Sustainable design, green designs and energy efficient designs
Special and interactive building use
c Alternative building construction materials and technology utilized for the majority
of the proposed project components
c Site and physical planning and development
c Historical and cultural preservation, adaptive reuse and redevelopment
c Climate change – responsive architectural design
c Disaster Risk Reduction Building Design
c Hi-tech and futuristic architecture employing latest technology
c Innovative building components and systems design
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IV. Objectives:
The primary objective of this study is to form a user experience design of a revitalized
public library with an incorporated museum. This study also seeks to answer the
following specific problems:
1. To determine the future role of a public library as a public space and the effects of
user experience in designing the space while incorporating a museum in order to
arrive at the recommended functional areas and facilities.
2. To incorporate design principles and concepts that focuses on elevating the
experience of the users for a public library with an integrated museum.
3. To develop an architectural design of a revitalized public library with an
incorporated museum integrating User Experience Architecture.
V. Literature Review
The public library has once been regarded as the public’s center of knowledge and
information and at the same time, It has been defined as a container of books in which
they are collected or sold. Peitx (2017) stated that throughout history, architecture has
responded to the functional and symbolic needs of the moment, perpetuating the
protection of collections and the institutional representation of the library. With the rise
of technology, libraries around the world face an uncertain future. However, for the past
two decades, libraries have been dramatically adapting to the changes by reinventing
their physical spaces. Head (2016) supported this face by stating that future libraries
must provide versatile spaces that support a wide range of users’ learning and research
activities while accommodating rapid advances in information technology.
The convergence of libraries and museums is an evolving phenomenon that has
garnered increased attention in the literature and professional practice over the past
decade. Carter (2013) expounded that despite having differences in professional
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practices, training, and organizational methods, they share common functions such as
collecting, conservation, research, and public services. The advent of digital
environments and the ideal of increased public accessibility are but two factors that have
led to calls for greater collaboration among libraries and museums.
Public libraries provide people with the opportunity to pursue a wide range of
activities. The considered primary reasons on why people use public libraries can be
summarized as a place for meeting, learning, and reading. John (2016) explained each
of the following:
1. A Place to Meet
- At a click of a button, people can easily access information through the
Internet. This led to the decline of visits and even question the value of the
library as a physical space. Nevertheless, new technology has made people
‘mobile’ making them seek new places to work and play. The public library
is seen as a neutral ‘free’ space in which individuals can carry out their
businesses, do their studies, or hangout and collaborate with other people.
2. A place to Learn
- Public libraries are increasingly supporting early learning literacy through
‘play’. There is already a realization that the life of children have been over
programmed hence, libraries have the opportunity to provide a space to
children to play freely and spontaneously. For teenagers, it can be beneficial
as it can serve and become a place where technologies can be used or
accessed freely. For adults, the library can serve as a place that offers basic
educational services.
3. A place to Read
- Initially, public libraries were designed to provide everyone with access to
printed materials, when they were expensive to purchase. According to John
(2016), librarians are saying that it would be better if the open stacks are
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removed or lessened to enable users become active, making resource
materials available physically and digitally.
In the past, the interior spaces of libraries tended to be dominated by collections of
materials in storages. Today the users and their need to connect with each other and with
their resources take precedence. Latimer (2011) described twenty-first century libraries
as places where all sorts of new technologies can now be found. Most have a significant
number of self-issue and return kiosk with the resulting decline in dominant, centrally
located issue desks with their potential to form a barrier between staff and user right at
the entrance. Shelving has undergone a significant change from being an industrial to a
more flexible design and function. A welcome trend has also emerged that includes
works of art in the building. Integrating small scale museums within the library.
Public libraries are now being reimagined as public spaces where people can be
together at a natural point in a city to meet, to learn, to collaborate, and to read. By having
a more flexible and diverse role, it can cater to all age groups. Integrating a museum also
helps the community promote its culture to tourists that are visiting the municipality. It
primarily focuses and incorporates User Experience Architecture that lets the users have
a seamless experience while being able to engage and collaborate with other people.
VI. Significance
Due to the advent rise of technology, it has changed the fundamental forms of
information while the Internet has revolutionized how users’ access and use information.
With just a click of a button, data and resources can be gained more efficiently. In result,
it is turning public libraries to merely storehouses for books and resource materials. The
count of visits have fallen significantly.
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In Baguio City, Burnham Park’s calmness is maintained at the Baguio Public Library
building tucked in a corner, away from the crowd and noise. The library has continued
to evolve despite the threat of technology. However, Librarian Fe Requilman stated that
the library has an average of 100-120 visitors daily and doubles during school days.
Before the internet became a search reference, the library used to cater to about 400
clients daily despite the limited collection of books and journals that time.
Public libraries are known to continuously evolve and adapt with the advancements
in technology and society. They tend to be the platform to educate the public about
information they have adopted. Museums also impact the community and visitors they
serve. Traditionally, Museums traditionally collect materials and objects of cultural,
religious, historical preservation, research and present them for display to the public for
educational purposes as well as enjoyment. Integrating public libraries and museums
presents a complementary holistic service where the strengths of both platforms are fused
together to provide a synergy of resources for the visitors and surrounding community.
It is important to design a public library that reimagines its function to the society.
Incorporating a museum will not only add function but also complements the services
offered by a public library. Integrating the User Experience Architecture plays a vital
role in the planning of the project. It provides a seamless experience for the users or
visitors.
VII. Methodology
Descriptive-quantitative was opted as the research method for this study. Specific types
of descriptive research were used. The first type is the observational method. The
movement and circulation of the users were observed in order to realize the occurring
issues and challenges in the public library. The second method used was the case study
method. The case studies gathered focused on local and international innovative public
libraries and museums. An Interview method was also used for government personnel,
librarians, and patrons.
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VIII. Target Beneficiaries
1. Students – The main beneficiaries for this study are the students. Ranging from
elementary school to graduate school. The facility itself will cater to students
who have limited means to access information either through physical materials
or through the internet. It will also give them a space to interact and collaborate
with other students and even a quiet space.
2. Library staff and personnel – Another beneficiaries are the staff and personnel
of the public library. It will not only preserve their profession traditionally, but
will also help them expound their field. This will help them engage to the
community by not only assisting them but also teaching them as well.
3. Community – The community will also benefit from the project itself. They
will be able to showcase the cultural diversity of the Cordillera Region and at
the same time promote tourism for the municipality.
IX. Budget for the research
CATEGORIES: AMOUNT:
PANEL’S FEE:
Architectural Design 9 (3) = 400.00 php (3)
= 1 200.00 php
Architectural Design 10 (3)
= 700.00 php (3)
= 2 100.00 php
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ADVISER’S FEE:
Architectural Design 9 = 800.00 php
Architectural Design 10 = 1 100.00 php
ENGLISH EDITOR’S FEE:
Architectural Design 9 = 300.00 php
Architectural Design 10 = 300.00 php
ETHICS REVIEWER’S FEE:
Architectural Design 9 = 200.00 php
Architectural Design 10 = 200.00 php
PRINTING:
Documents
Full Blown Proposal = 3 000 php
Revisions
Graphic Presentations
Book binding
SCALED MODEL:
Boards = 3 500.00 php
Rendering Tools
Cutting Tools
TRANSPORTATION
Site visitations = 1 000.00 php
TUITION FEE:
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Architectural Design 9 = 15 000.00 php
Architectural Design 10 = 12 000.00 php
FOOD:
Panels (Arcdes9) = 300.00 php
Panel (Arcdes10) = 300.00 php
Technical Adviser
= 150.00 php
Adviser
= 150.00 php
PERSONAL ALLOWANCE:
Transportation = 20 000.00 php
Food
TOTAL AMOUNT: 61 600.00 PHP
X. Expected Output
At the end if this study, the expected outcome is to formulate a design of a revitalized
Public Library with an incorporated Museum that will integrate concepts from User
Experience Architecture that will promote and engage the community and its culture.
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XI. References: (at least five)
Duff, W. M., Carter, J., Cherry, J. M., MacNeil, H., & Howarth, L. C. (2013). From
Coexistence to Convergence: Studying Partnerships and Collaboration among Libraries,
Archives and Museums. Information Research: An International Electronic Journal,
18(3), n3.
Head, A. (2016). Planning and designing academic library learning spaces: expert
perspectives of architects, librarians, and library consultants. Librarians, and Library
Consultants (December 6, 2016).
John, G. (2016). Designing Libraries in 21st Century: Lessons for the UK. British
Council: Winston Churchill Memorial Trust.
Latimer, K. (2011). Collections to connections: changing spaces and new challenges in
academic library buildings. Library trends, 60(1), 112-133.
Peitx, I. B. (2017). Innovative architecture for the contemporary library.
