Importance of architectural design in libraries for the blind

Abstract

Since the principal aim of libraries is to provide services to the whole of society in the form of diffusing culture, an accurate management of these structures implies recognizing the needs and characteristics of its users, in order to construct buildings that are able to offer appropriate and efficient services. The blind and visually impaired are potential and actual users of libraries too, so their physical conditions should be considered prior to construction and therefore, in planning the interior design of the library building and space. The most important factors to be considered in library design in order to make them more easily accessible for this kind of user should include: designing an appropriate entrance, defining motion axes to aid movement inside the library, paying attention to library flooring, building reference shelves at an appropriate height, adequately arranging space found between resource shelves, allocating spaces for the blind to study in and facilitating access to adjacent areas inside the library. If all these conditions and requirements are met and applied in the architectural design and building of libraries, their use by this group of users will consequently be optimized.

Keywords

• design architettonico, biblioteche per non vedenti, spazi verdi