Historical Development
Given
Limited numbers of books
and readers
No service component;
i.e., all readers serve as their own reference librarians, no book
check-out, books chained to lecterns for security, etc.
Features
Books are dispersed
throughout the reading area
Books and individual
readers are collocated, with book cupboards and chained books on
lecterns
17th and 18th Century
Hall Library
Given
Increasing numbers of
books and readers requiring consolidation of books
Limited size of
collections still does not require a service component
Features
Concentric organization of
books around the perimeter of the reading area with readers surrounded
by books
Introduction of book
stacks to accommodate larger numbers of books in these areas
19th Century
Closed Stack Library
Given
Dramatically increasing
numbers of books and readers
Introduction of a new
service component for cataloging, circulation, and security
Features
Separation of books from
reading area for efficient consolidation of stacks
Introduction of a separate
service component for efficient and controlled access to books
Readers separated from
books
20th Century
Open Stack Library
Given
Proliferation of free
public libraries causes increase in numbers of books and readers
Subsequent need for direct
public access to books
Features
Stacks are still
consolidated, but are now open to the reading area for public access
Given
Decentralization of
library functions for community and neighborhood access
Resulting decrease in
number of books on site
Features
Corresponding decrease in
size of stack area and related service functions.
Given
Increasing demand for
public access to information
Fewer books and a decrease
in circulation and reference assistance as a result of
new electronic information
storage and access technology
Increase in the variety
and scope of reader activities as the library diversifies to accommodate
different kinds of activities
Features
Decrease in the size of
book storage and service areas
Increase in the size of
reader activity area
Integration of books and
service directly into the reading area
Electronic Library
of the Future
Given
Dramatic increase in the
amount and accessibility of information through electronic media
Features
Decentralization of
information access and reference components — dispersal of information
‘smart points' throughout the library
Reference and service
functions are relegated to the reader
Similarity to the
organization of medieval library