Libraries as a building type have been subjected to substantial changes. The typology was reinvented completely, reflecting a development from elitist temple of learning to a public living room. Today, the ubiquity of electronic media needs to be taken into account by the designer: every new library has areas without any books.
This work of reference explains systematically all technological requirements of library design. Special features such as RFID, acoustics or load-bearing issues are explained in texts by experts from architecture and library science.
Finally, 34 best-practice case studies are documented extensively. They are organized in four categories - national libraries, large public libraries, small public libraries, university libraries - and comprise many high-profile examples.