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Preface

Sustainability and environmental awareness are key issues globally and the library world is committed to playing its part in protecting the planet. Implement- ing sustainable strategies is now well established in many libraries but the new book published on behalf of IFLA’s Environment, Sustainability and Libraries Section (ENSULIB) together with IFLA’s Library Buildings and Equipment Section (LBES) takes the concept one step further. Sensitively transforming existing his- toric buildings into exciting, functional and beautiful libraries is both challeng- ing and fulfilling.

Introductory essays on the sustainability of reusing historic buildings and on the building types that lend themselves to transformation into 21st century librar- ies are followed by case studies of both public and academic libraries from all over the world. A key feature of the book is that the projects are discussed from the perspective of both architects and librarians.

A wide range of creative adaptations is discussed covering a broad diversity of building typologies and constructions and different historical epochs. All case studies demonstrate that the reuse of existing buildings contributes to a mix of social and urban renewal and sustainability and also constitutes an undeni- ably effective and successful way of designing attractive and efficient modern libraries. The descriptions of combinations of historic buildings with innovative interventions for targeted final use as thoroughly modern libraries provide new insights into building reuse. …