Biography       

William Sannwald is a professor of business administration at San Diego State University, California teaching a variety of management undergraduate and MBA courses. He is the former Director of Libraries and Director or Library Development for the city of San Diego and author of the American Library Association's Checklist of Library Building Considerations . He is also a library design consultant. He has been involved as a building consultant on over 50 library buildings.

Abstract: This paper looks at how building and interior design can help deliver an effective service at a time when capital investment in libraries is increasing worldwide. The paper covers:

• Library design: how good design can increase visibility, customer numbers and usage. UK and international evidence;

• What we can learn from history: looking at design and management of early public library buildings;

• New building models: city centre and local libraries;

• New design concepts: ‘urban living rooms', ‘idea stores', ‘local learning/business/cultural centres' and ‘internet cafes';

• Makeovers of existing buildings;

• Practicalities: funding (PFI and other sources), choosing the right team (client, designers, contractors, facility managers) and finding the operating revenues;

• Role of staff, customers and ‘friends' – what the UK and USA can learn from each others' experience.

This page was last updated on: 12 September, 2006