圖書館硬體空間改善案由89年6月視聽中心改善計畫案揭開序幕。此計畫的完成提供了煥然一新的視聽中心空間與硬體設備，與隨之的軟體與服務的持續充實，更使得使用量不僅於完成後第一年激增三倍，至最近二年仍維持著每年20%的成長量。
之後，圖書館於各樓層現有的空間與設備的框架中，運用了最低影響的改造，延續著視聽中心的成功設計，陸續營造出一致性的設計風格。此包括一樓的「圖書館藝廊」、「科學人文專區」及最近完成的地下一樓閱覽中心的咖啡休憩區、圓弧窗美化隔熱工程、與四樓的「典藏攝影」等。
我們深信圖書館不僅是知識的保存體，更以加值服務來使得全校的教職員生於浩瀚的資訊中能以最便利與快速的方式來尋得其所需要的那一份資料。而圖書館的空間亦不只是用以儲存，而是提供所有的讀者一個沉浸於知識殿堂、供其冥想或沉思、觸發其想像力與創造力以及促進人際溝通與合作的空間。
This article
reflects on 5 years of achievements and hard work.
At the heart of
every educational institute is a space we often take for
granted. A space, where a small team of people work quietly
and efficiently, and with great dedication, to provide high
quality services for others. In case you can’t guess which
space I’m talking about I will tell you. The Library. Our
Library. Your Library.
Spatial
planning in the Library follows the doctrine of functional
needs, yet remains mindful of extracurricular and social
events, hence the main entrance lobby serves as an
interactivespace where users can enjoy casual reading and
unrestrained conversation in a different environment.
Circulation patterns run around three informal circles,
organising arts and humanities,magazines and a coffee bar
area. The special attention accorded to graphic elements is
part of a deliberate plan to keep users' curiosity and
creativity illuminated, so within this space studentsand
faculty can find a home from home.
Because some
things are just meant to be, so when in 1999 Chang Gung
University Library decided to re-model its five floors in
response to its practical needs and growing services a gallery
space was an obvious choice. Without doors, the The Library
Gallery flows out onto the 1st floor, and in the interest of
simplicity, the central layout is planned around three large
glass-topped display tables to pique viewers' interest, and
the nearby wall is home on its visible side to glass display
boxes, whilst behind conceals cleverly hidden storage space.
The Gallery's
austerity is tempered by a grand sweeping wall of opaque glass
and polished steel panels hung from an unmasked ceiling that
reveals exposed ductwork, which although seemingly unimportant
garners much attention.In short, the simpler the design, the
more flexibility it engenders. Neutral spaces permit future
uses – and this has and will always be the premise on which
all design created for the Library is centred.
This space is
about energy and spirit, it constantly evolves as exhibitions
open and close, it is above all a showplace that patrons,
students and tutors can enjoy the endeavours of others.
One of the
great things about Chang Gung University Library is that it
encompasses many areas: from knowledge and creativity, to
services and databases, from multi-media facilities, study
areas, exhibition spaces to a coffee bar with ambient
music!But most of all, Our Library encompasses a vision.Since
the Library began its re-development program 5 years ago the
number of patrons has increased and this has acted as a
catalyst towards wider ambitions in creating a well-designed
and exciting space, which is fully accessible, user friendly
and comfortable with excellent quality services.In fact, these
factors are central to the Library’s purpose.
The Library’s
approach to supplying all the above supports design
unconditionally and undoubtedly an element of risk-taking such
as positioning book shelving units at 45 degrees, considering
design alternatives and novel techniques such as the new
window seats now installed on F2 – F4; and, using graphic
design to create window coatings to block out excessive
sunlight.
The latest
additions to the Library to distribute cultural and social
awareness ubiquitously are The Photography Collection, 4F, a
spacedevoted to photography; and the window seats (
B1 and F2 – F4 ) that have
been designed to promote awareness and dialogue about the
issues facing our environment through the creative expression
of making design out of discarded things.
Designed in
response to the library's desire to 'develop a creative and
stimulating environment', the Audio Visual Center, a
state-of-the-art multi-media heaven, is now the epi-centre of
the student community.Divided by a fluid organisation of
spaces incorporating watching, listening and communication,
this space has been rendered in a palette of opaque,
transparent and translucent materials.Floor to ceiling glass
walls interlinked with stainless steel stripes forms the
central viewing materials room, and carries with it a
suggested movement of information across the whole
interior.The floor, a larger-than-life chequer board, keeps
the diagonal flow, but also extends it so you always feel like
you're connected to other spaces.
What we now
take for granted in Our Library, would be considered by others
as a forum for innovation.The CGU library is a template and a
showcase that demonstrates the power of design and progressive
thinking, and a quick review of other libraries both in Taiwan
and internationally demonstrates this.
Around the
world, there is strong recognition of the changing role and
new requirements for a library, and we are lucky that the
institutional design that was typical over the past few
decades has been rejected and replaced by a more striking,
visually compelling style.But most importantly, we are lucky
that Our library embraces this new thinking.
