PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDINGS IN SRI LANKA : An ASSESSMENT

PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDINGS IN PUBLIC LIBRARY BUILDINGS IN SRI LANKA : SRI LANKA : An ASSESSMENTAn ASSESSMENT

ByBy

J.A.AmaraweeraJ.A.Amaraweera

Librarian Librarian

Buddhist & Pali University of Sri LankaBuddhist & Pali University of Sri Lanka

Public Libraries in Admin. Dist. of Sri LankaPublic Libraries in Admin. Dist. of Sri LankaDistrict No. of Libraries

Galle 69

Kurunegala 123

Colombo 62

Gampaha 78

Kalutara 57

Kandy 103

Badulla 39

Jaffna 60

Anuradhapura 37

Polonnaruwa 18

Trincomale 32

Matale 42

Matara 42

District No. of Libraries

Ratnapura 58

Nuwaraeliya 49

Ampara 56

Batticaloa 49

Hambantota 47

Kegalle 31

Mannar 20

Kilinochchi 10

Monaragala 25

Mullaitive 13

Puttalam 56

Vavuniya 26

Source: NLSDB Database

Public Libraries in Admin. Dist. of Sri LankaPublic Libraries in Admin. Dist. of Sri Lanka

69

123

62

78103

60

3732

42

56

49

47

25

56

26

First Public Library in Sri LankaFirst Public Library in Sri Lanka

• “first Public Library” Colombo Library Estd. In 1813

• Pettah Library Estd. In 1829

• Both libraries amalgamated to form Colombo Public Library in 1925 Its founder Librarian – Mr. S.C.Blok

Jaffna Public LibraryJaffna Public Library

• Burnt Jaffna Pub. Lib. Rebuilt Jaffna Pub. Lib.

• Jaffna Public Library Estd. In Aug. 1st, 1934• Reopened in a new premises in 1941• Destroyed in 1st June, 1981• Start rebuilding – 2002• Reopened reconstructed JPL – 1st June 2007

Some drawbacks of existing Pub Lib BuildingsSome drawbacks of existing Pub Lib Buildings

• Non-compliance with accepted Lib. Building Standards• Haphazardly conversion of existing buildings to PLs• Unsuitable buildings converted to PLs• Negligence of environmental factors• Minimum considerations of Biological factors• Non-compliance with Physical factors• Unsuitable & undesirable Stack spaces and working areas• Accessibility to the location & buildings not given much

consideration• Difficulties pertaining to maintenance • External & Internal appearances not upto satisfaction• Security & Supervision difficulties

Design criteria for Pub. Lib. Buildings Design criteria for Pub. Lib. Buildings

• Image & Identity of the PL Building• Flexibility/Expandability• Functionality• Ecological sustainability• Smart technology• Environmental control• Assets management• Compliances with Standards

Design criteria for Pub. Lib. Buildings -2Design criteria for Pub. Lib. Buildings -2

• Squire footage

• Occupancy by Public (Readers) & Staff

• Types & volume of Collections

• Important spatial relations to other areas

• Energy efficiency & Staff efficiency

• Lighting, Acoustics, Power needs (electrical)

• Communication & ICT needs

• Security

• Visual Supervision (=Birds-eye view Supervision)

• Disaster & hazards prevention measures

Some PLs in the IslandSome PLs in the Island

• Colombo Public Library

• Kandy D.S. Senanayake

Memorial Public Library

Some PLs in the IslandSome PLs in the Island

• Baddegama Pub. Library

• Interior (Charging Counter) of Galle Public Library

Some PLs in the IslandSome PLs in the Island

• Kattankudy Public Library

• Hambantota Public Library

(after Tsunami attack)

Pub. Lib. StandardsPub. Lib. Standards

NLSDB Standards available only for Small PLs & medium size PLs.

Municipal or Local Governmental PL Standards are not available; hence only Standards for Public Buildings can be used

Needs for revision, update and redesign exsisting PL Standards with the collaboration of related Institutions

Some UNESCO or Regional standards regarding the PL buildings have to be adopted with relevant modifications

Collaboration & Sharing of expertiseCollaboration & Sharing of expertise

• Sharing expert knowledge on the topic from local

institutions

• Sharing expertise from foreign institutions

• Collaboration with Governmental organisations

• Collaboration with Non-governmental organisations

• Collaboration with foreign organisations

• Formation of action committees & task forces

• Educating and motivating officials; Govt, Provincial & Local Govt. re: effective and conducive Lib. building projects