A PROPOSED PUBLIC LIBRARY

Public libraries can and are regarded as the public’s and the community’s centre for gathering and a place used for the search for knowledge and information. In this day, they are challenged by the increase and rise of the use of electronic technology such as tablets, mobile phones, and the Internet. Information behaviour of the patrons of the community has transferred instead to rely on easy and instant access of information through mediums such as Google search instead of the resources housed at locally accessible libraries, regardless of the authenticity of found information. (Source, Mbanefo Sean, 2019) Unlike the days when the need for information and knowledge by the public used to be searched for and located at the nearest public library, the focus of public library design is shifting from storing and protecting valuable resources of information and knowledge such as journals, books and periodicals, of which used to be the main purpose; to the experience of an active public space of learning, engaging and reading for the community. (Source, Mbanefo Sean, 2019) This thesis reimagines a public library in Lucena City by evaluating the architecture of public libraries of the past and of today. By understanding it, the user experiences the three key elements of public library design; which are procession, services, and flexible spaces; a new public library design that engages and responds to the local community is proposed and created. This main focus of this study is to create a design for a public library that conforms and encompasses these ideas and ideology. (Source, Mbanefo Sean, 2019)