ABSTRACT
Evaluation of one kind or another can occur at a number of stages in the creation of a library building: assessing the old building; reviewing and analyzing the architect's drawings, and to correct building faults, for example, as well as carrying out a post-occupancy evaluation (POE). As will be seen, evaluation can be taking place during the planning, design and construction process and, as emphasized in this chapter, in the post-construction period. The following evaluative criteria have been suggested for libraries: The criteria, although formulated some time ago, reflect the fundamental requirements discussed. The Checklist of library building design considerations is a useful tool for this kind of evaluation, as one of its aims to enable the evaluation of existing buildings as part of a library's Needs Assessment Process. Designing a library building from the architect's initial concept to the finished design results in drawings of increasing detail as the process runs its course.
