EVALUATING USER NEEDS IN THE DESIGN OF PUBLIC LIBRARY, KADUNA: INTEGRATING CYBER COMMUNITY

By

Author

Presented To

Department of Environmental Design

ABSTRACT
Public libraries are institutions that have great impact on the development of knowledge base of the society. This is because they are the information hub available and open to the general public. This information has over the years been stored traditionally in print format. Here is where the problem lies today. The users (study area, North-Western Nigeria) of these institutions have gained the advantage of new Information and Communication Technologies, they are now able to access information on computers, audio and films format, phones and other gadgets. Performances, discussions and campaigns have also now been adopted by the society as a way of accessing and providing valuable information to the society. Hence, where does the library stand in respect to these changes in the demands? This research focuses on how these changes in needs of the user affect the public library as an institution. A case study methodology was adopted and instruments of data collection such as questionnaire, check list, photographs, sketches were employed. It was established that the spaces and facilities provided by the library was no more efficient in serving the needs of the user. This is presented in a chart showing the usage pattern of facilities and the nature of activity users are developing in the library. The proposed design is an idea by the research of what a new public library should look like. The provision of a more vast outdoor space for reading, recreation and social activities shows the difference between the old or traditional library and that of a new one when user needs are brought into the equation. Also the freeness, openness, and continuity of the spaces also reflect the nature of new technology usage within these spaces. Among the recommendations made were that designers should based their design principles more around the user than the content, new Inforomation and Communication Technologies used by the public should be studied to understand how it affects the library etc. These will improve the standards of the public libraries so as to serve more members of the general public.