Library
|
| British Library. |
Libraries provide accommodation for organised collections of knowledge that can be accessed for reference, or to borrow. They can be private (accessible only by authorised people, such as employees or members), personal, or public. The earliest collections of writings (or archives) are thought to date back as far as 2,600 BC.
Libraries may also contain administrative accommodation, experienced librarians, study areas, and so on.
The character of libraries has changed significantly with the emergence of the internet. Libraries increasingly provide access to large numbers of regularly used documents (such as current journals, course books and so on), whilst less-regularly used documents (such as historic texts or research) are archived and can be retrieved on request.
Libraries are also increasingly seen as places to meet, work, access digital knowledge sources, drink coffee and so on, rather than simply accessing physical documents.
Many large construction industry organisations will have their own technical libraries where employees can access journals, product information and key reference books. They may also have digital knowledge management systems.
Articles on Designing Buildings Wiki about libraries include:
- Birmingham Central Library demolition.
- British Library extension.
- Library of Celsus.
- National Library of Latvia.
- Seeley Library.
- Tianjin Binhai Library.
- Trinity College Library.
- University of East London’s new library in Stratford.
- University Town Library, Shenzhen University Town.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- Construction industry knowledge standard.
- Construction industry publishing.
- Construction knowledge sources.
- Construction Knowledge Task Group.
- Construction knowledge.
- Document control.
- Knowledge management.
- Knowledge pyramid.
- PD 7503:2003 Introduction to knowledge management in construction.
- Types of building.
Featured articles and news
Building Safety recap January, 2026
What we missed at the end of last year, and at the start of this...
National Apprenticeship Week 2026, 9-15 Feb
Shining a light on the positive impacts for businesses, their apprentices and the wider economy alike.
Applications and benefits of acoustic flooring
From commercial to retail.
From solid to sprung and ribbed to raised.
Strengthening industry collaboration in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Institute of Construction and The Chartered Institute of Building sign Memorandum of Understanding.
A detailed description fron the experts at Cornish Lime.
IHBC planning for growth with corporate plan development
Grow with the Institute by volunteering and CP25 consultation.
Connecting ambition and action for designers and specifiers.
Electrical skills gap deepens as apprenticeship starts fall despite surging demand says ECA.
Built environment bodies deepen joint action on EDI
B.E.Inclusive initiative agree next phase of joint equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) action plan.
Recognising culture as key to sustainable economic growth
Creative UK Provocation paper: Culture as Growth Infrastructure.
Futurebuild and UK Construction Week London Unite
Creating the UK’s Built Environment Super Event and over 25 other key partnerships.
Welsh and Scottish 2026 elections
Manifestos for the built environment for upcoming same May day elections.
Advancing BIM education with a competency framework
“We don’t need people who can just draw in 3D. We need people who can think in data.”
Guidance notes to prepare for April ERA changes
From the Electrical Contractors' Association Employee Relations team.
Significant changes to be seen from the new ERA in 2026 and 2027, starting on 6 April 2026.
First aid in the modern workplace with St John Ambulance.
Solar panels, pitched roofs and risk of fire spread
60% increase in solar panel fires prompts tests and installation warnings.
Modernising heat networks with Heat interface unit
Why HIUs hold the key to efficiency upgrades.

























