ZEMCH 2019 International Conference Proceedings April.2020 | Page 313
1. Introduction
For more than a century, the clearest way to provide educational support for students and faculties
has been to build the largest possible print collections of information resources, which inescapably came
to dominate library space. New trends in library architecture and design emerged due to the effects of
new media and digital information technology that has challenged the traditional library [1–3].
Strangely, this has not weakened, but has apparently heightened, international interest in the library as
a physical space [4–6]. New possibilities of digital design have made many possible risks and new
innovative architectural experiments [7–9]. Furthermore, a growing interest had been shown in
integrating Libraries as part of urban spaces and making library interiors as inviting as possible with
multiple activities and attractive furnishing in open spaces [6, 10–12].
The continuing preferences of students for library space can be examined in the light of a hierarchy
of needs made up of layers of access and linkages, of uses and activities, of sociability, and of comfort
and image. A space that combines attributes from all four levels is an ideal learning space [13–14]. A
high proportion of the observed library usage indicates that it is an extension of the school or work
place, which is a second place [4,6]. But some of the education‐related uses can best be categorized as
related to the first place, such as, families coming for leisure and doing things together [4,15].
Characteristics of a third place, however, a neutral place where regulars meet and speak, are probably
stronger when the library arranges lectures, author nights, programs, and courses [4,15].
Libraries often provide quiet areas for studying, and they often offer common areas to facilitate
group study and collaboration [16–18]. According to some studies, Libraries are considered a preferred
place for studying, as opposed to other activities [17,19–20]. Even though some students are not using
the print collection, they still choose to go to the library for academic pursuits [13,17–18].
Usually libraries contain a mix of both, a general collection for circulation, and a reference
collection, which is restricted to the library premises [2, 8, 21]. However, Modern Libraries are
increasingly being redefined as places to get unrestricted access to information in many formats from
different resources and since the late 1990s, a critical mass of the libraryʹs collection has been made
available online. Wi‐fi and mobile devices have made it easy to work on assignments, term papers and
thesis from anywhere [3, 8, 13, 22].
Due to the evolving need for redesigning library spaces with the ever‐growing immergence
of digital collection and reduction in library spaces as a result, there have been a crucial need for studies
on “Library as place” [23‐24, 54]. Library’s role has not only been as an institution for books, information
and knowledge collections, it has also acted as a creative, inspirational, working and studying place [5].
Library buildings represent a manifestation of such aspirations; they provide a particular sense of place’
through their architectural set‐up, as well as huge diversity of co‐present people that engage in
scholarly activities [6, 10, 25].
New kinds of libraries came into existence, such as digital libraries, hybrid libraries and academic
libraries, which are the main concern of this paper. An academic library is a library that is attached to
a higher education institution, which serves two complementary purposes. The first is to support the
schoolʹs curriculum, and the second is to support the research of the university faculty and students [6,
26‐27]. With global adoption of technology, a change in academic libraries throughout the last few
decades is evident [28]. Libraries are adding new, digital resources and services while maintaining most
of the old, traditional resources and services [14,29].
The library has always been more than a warehouse for recorded knowledge. It provides a place
for contemplation, integration, and creation of new ideas [13,30]. Library’s physical space is entirely as
important as the collections held within its walls. Despite the massive impact of Information
Communication and Technology on library service provision, academic libraries continue to supply
patrons not only with collections but also spaces – spaces for study, research, contemplation and
relaxation [31‐32].Current library standards address different types or purposes of space and the square
footage to be allocated to them. The standards provide guidelines for the dimensions of a designated
reader, staff, or collection space, depending on its purpose, and guidelines for how to calculate the need
Academic Library’s Challenges and Opportunities: Case Study of
the United Arab Emirates University Library
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