Abstract:
The concentration of this thesis will challenge the concept of an archetypal public library in hopes of reinterpreting the functional programming and design of the facility. Thisproposed interpretation is a reaction to the theory that standard libraries have become obsolete in our current technological and cultural context. To disprove this position, I hope to address questions pertaining to the community value of a public library and the validity of aphysical library in the digital age.The premise of this project is not to simply streamline a traditional institution for the technology of the 21st century, but to determine what we, as a society, will carry with us in our constant societal redefinition and evolution. Andrew Carnegie stated that "the very best gift thatcould be given to a community" was a public library. I hope to extend this statement to be true today."The electronic revolution makes human encounters, which are the real basis of community, even more valuable and necessary, not less so." -Craig Hartman, Architecture.
