Library Design for the Rest of the World: How Beyond Access is Helping Librarians Rethink Space in Developing Countries

Library design has gone viral over the past few years, with photos sets of fantastical post-modern libraries shared on Buzzfeed and techno-powered prestige projects sprouting up in national capitals. In the developed world, libraries have come a long way from the perpendicular stacks and tables of stereotype. But there are 320,000 public libraries in the world, and for most of those – and nearly all of them in developing countries – the viral images are a distant dream. For many of these libraries – staffed by one or two underpaid library workers – design hasn’t been a priority. But poor design results in underuse. And lack of use is compounded into a lack of local prioritization. If libraries are to remain relevant even where resources are limited, their space must be friendly, welcoming and functional, enticing users to come in and spend time. For libraries considering their place in the 21st century, it can be a daunting prospect. But friendly redesign is possible, even with the meager budgets available to most libraries in the developing world. Beyond Access – a library modernization program managed by IREX and funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has developed a guide and training for libraries to undertake simple space redesign with limited or even no budget, particularly targeted at libraries in developing countries. It approaches library design through four categories of adjustments that help the library respond to the needs of users. The training walks librarians through the steps to make easy, meaningful changes. This paper reviews the guide and training.