REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES

POLYTECHNIC UNIVERSITY OF THE PHILIPPINES

A Proposed Hybrid City Library Enhancing

June 22, 2019

College of Architecture and Fine Arts

Department of Architecture

Submitted By: Submitted To:

Santos, Aliah Gabrielle M. Ar. Luisita M. Gegajo

BS Architecture 5-2 Thesis Adviser

A. BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

“As our needs change, libraries change with us – like our very own Room of

Requirement” –Melody Schreiber, An Ode to Libraries, the Original Co-working Spaces

Libraries are institutional facilities which house collections of information and

resources. Further main functions of a library include the organization and cataloguing of

materials, lending materials to beneficiaries, and providing a place for reading and other

related social activities. More than just storage for data, they are considered important

community hubs that serve as a center for knowledge, learning, and professional

development (Trombetta, 2017). Public libraries, for instance, play a fundamental role in

our society, as it develops user education and promotes societal and cultural heritage

(Murugan, 2018). Moreover, public libraries provide equality of access among citizens,

given that these are public institutions, thus also providing free educational resources to

meet the needs of the local community (Handa, 2019).

Historically, libraries catered to kings and to the higher class of the society until

the Roman era where Julius Caesar proposed a library that is open to the masses,

hence the innovation of a public library (Foskett, et al., 2017). In this digital age we live in

where everything is accessible through new technology, the concept of traditional

libraries has changed and has been applying modern interventions in order to keep up

with this generation. This leads to the emergence of electronic and digital libraries –

where information is stored and/or created in digital form; and eventually, the emergence

of hybrid libraries – a synthesis of a traditional and a digital library (Verma, M. & Verma,
N., 2014). Since hybrid libraries contain both traditional and electronic resources

available for use, this type of library is favorable among various age groups, especially

the youth.

According to the survey on the users done by the National Library of the

Philippines (NLP), 78% of public library clients belong to the 11 to 18 year old age group.

Moreover, 73% of public library users are students that seek educational information. In

pursuit of interpersonal development as part of learning, students are in need of social or

collaborative learning experience. Aside from studies and research as reasons for library

visits, group discussions (23%) are included as well. Most libraries in the Philippines do

not cater such spaces where collaborative activities and informal learning are considered.

As facilities for learning and knowledge, libraries are challenged to address the

changing needs of the society in order for education and social development of its users

can foster. Furthermore, responding to this demand could revitalize a library’s essence

as a societal institution.

B. STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

In this era where any information is available online, going to the library is

considered a rare activity. According to the 2017 National Book Development Board

(NBDB) readership survey, only 1 out of 10 Filipinos are aware that there is a library

near their residence, caused by the books’ availability in electronic formats (Tomacruz,

2018). Moreover, based on the survey done by the National Library, majority of the

country’s public libraries possess outdated learning materials, as well as the lack of

digital resources such as e-books and e-journals. Although public libraries are still

relevant despite the digital age due to its credibility, addressing the changing needs of
the society prevents this institution from becoming obsolete. Thus, through architecture

and design, this study aims to answer the following:

 What are the evolving needs of the community that would define the

library’s activities?

 What will be the effect of integrating technology into the library system

and design?

 What are the strategies to consider in achieving a social architecture

approach?

C. JUSTIFICATION OF THE STUDY

According to the National Library of the Philippines (NLP) status report of

Philippine libraries, the total number of public libraries only makes up 3% of the ideal

number prescribed by law, currently at 1,455 libraries compared to the ideal number

of 40,000 libraries. The NLP survey also stated recommendations to strengthen and

improve libraries based on the increasing trend of its clients, most of whom are

students and professionals. In addition, the use of technology that could complement

a library’s services is also recommended. Hence, the proposed study will be in

accordance to Republic Act 7743, an act which provides for the establishment of

regional, city, municipal libraries, and reading centers throughout the country.

Furthermore, it is also in accordance to House Bill 8087, which seeks to strengthen

Republic Act 7743 through the incorporation of technological developments in

establishing e-libraries across the country.

Significance to the Users

The proposed hybrid library allows users to experience collaborative and

educational learning through an access to a wider range of resources, which will

establish their relationship among other users and the space itself. The proposed

study does not only contribute to their academic growth, but to their social growth as

well.

Significance to the Society

The proposed study redefines the image of a library as a place for social

interaction yet still developing user education rather than just for intrapersonal

intentions; in that way, the proposed library would establish a connection with the

community. Furthermore, connecting with the community strengthens culture and

values innovation and creativity among the people.

Significance to Architecture

The proposed hybrid library will use social architecture as an approach towards

user engagement and promotion of interaction. With the integration of this approach

in the study, the proposed study may serve as a basis for the development of future

libraries and/or civic buildings.

The goal of this study is to design a city library redefining a library through the

integration of technology and social architecture. To achieve this, the objectives are the

following:

 To identify the needs of a community that can develop user initiative and

engagement with the library

 To achieve technological and innovative facilities that would be of

convenience to the users

 To design an environment that helps people socialize, collaborate, and

innovate

BIBLIOGRAPHY

BOOKS

Macapagal, M. (2018), Status of Philippine Public Libraries & Librarianship: A Research Report.

Manila, Philippines: National Library of the Philippines

JOURNALS

Verma, M., Verma, N. (2014). Concept of Hybrid, Digital and Virtual Library: A Professional

Approach. INFOLIB. 7. Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287196620_Concept_of_Hybrid_Digital_and_Virtual_L

ibrary_A_Professional_Approach
ARTICLES

Murugan, K & K, Murugan. (2018). ROLE OF LIBRARY IN CHANGING SOCIETY.

Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323935597_ROLE_OF_LIBRARY_IN_CHANGING_S

OCIETY

Handa, T. (2019). ROLE OF PUBLIC LIBRARY IN THE SOCIETY AND A FUTURE VISION OF

ICT ENABLED RENDERING OF ITS SERVICES WITH SPECIAL CONTEXT TO INDIA

Retrieved from

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/265202196_ROLE_OF_PUBLIC_LIBRARY_IN_THE_

SOCIETY_AND_A_FUTURE_VISION_OF_ICT_ENABLED_RENDERING_OF_ITS_SERVICES

_WITH_SPECIAL_CONTEXT_TO_INDIA_By

BILLS

An Act Providing for the Establishment of Congressional, City and Municipal Libraries and

Barangay Reading Centers Throughout the Philippines, Appropriating the Necessary Funds

Therefor and for Other Purposes, R.A. 7743 (1994)

An Act Amending Republic Act No. 7743, H.B. 8087, 17th Cong. (2018)

WEBSITES

Trombetta, S. “7 Reasons Libraries Are Essential, Now More Than Ever”

https://www.bustle.com/p/7-reasons-libraries-are-essential-now-more-than-ever-43901

(accessed June 2019)

https://www.britannica.com/topic/library/Rome (accessed June 2019)

Tomacruz, S. “Filipinos barely know if there are libraries near their homes”

https://www.rappler.com/nation/213038-filipinos-awareness-libraries-readership-survey-2017

(accessed June 2019)

Mapa, D. “2017 National Book Development Board (NBDB) Readership Survey”

http://booksphilippines.gov.ph/wp-

content/uploads/2018/10/Presentation_DMapa_NBDB_Readership_Survey_28SEPT2018.pdf

(accessed June 2019)