Big box libraries: beyond restocking the shelves with books

Abstract

Purpose -The purpose of this paper is to explore the opportunities, implications, and challenges of reusing big box retail stores for library facilities. Design/methodology/approach -The paper's approach is research using the Wal-Mart Realty database, NCES data on public libraries, and recent research on suburban design issues, as well as first-hand accounts of successful conversions of big boxes into library facilities. Findings -The research finds: a parallel between the three key objectives in planning a library facility -location, size, and budget -and the measures used by retailers to determine the presences of a big box retail store in a community; the size of big box retail stores often comparatively relates to the target library size of a community; renovating big boxes is an affordable alternative to building new library facilities; and reuse of big boxes for libraries requires reimagining the structure to convey the identity of the library in the community in order to be truly successful.Research limitations/implications -There are few existing examples of big box conversions into library facilities. Practical implications -The results encourage communities to explore the option of converting big box retail stores into libraries. Social implications -Consideration of converting big boxes into library facilities enhances recycling and sustainable design awareness and brings focus to the concept of libraries as community centers.Originality/value -The stock of empty big box buildings is increasing, at just a time when libraries are looking for ways to expand to accommodate new uses, service styles and user expectations. To date, very few of these buildings have been transformed into vibrant library buildings. This article examines the suitability of the big box for use as a library.

A framework for sustainable adaptive reuse: understanding vacancy and underuse in existing urban buildings

“…The fascination of redeveloping old building forms for new novel experiences is growing (Lynch, 2016). Increasingly, nonheritage buildings, perceived to be obsolete, vacant, or underused, are connected with adaptive reuse, including commercial offices Hamida et al, 2020), industrial buildings (Petković-Grozdanovića et al, 2016;Vardopoulos, 2019), and retail (Lesneski, 2011;Roberts and Carter, 2020).…”

“…Vacancy across property markets is often used as a measure by property market groups to understand supply and demand and investment trends in adaptive reuse decisions Abdullah et al, 2020). Another observation is that adaptive reuse can be initiated through the community (Yung et al, 2014a) and local government services (Lesneski, 2011), as well as the private sector. Plevoets and Sowińska-Heim (2018) refer to "vernacular adaptation" as the more spontaneous and informal ways associated with adaptive reuse, which has also recently seen a raise in awareness, alongside the more formal approaches employed within architectural and conservation practices.…”

“…Adaptive reuse can occur at other scales other than whole building as captured in Table 1 (Lesneski, 2011;Yung et al, 2014b;Costa et al, 2019;De Silva et al, 2019;Foster, 2020;Misirlisoy, 2020;Vehbi et al, 2021). Four categories of adaptive reuse are reported in the literature.…”

Libraries, sustainability and sustainable development: a review of the research literature

“…From an environmental perspective, the rationale of optimization mainly focuses on designing new and environmentally friendly buildings or transforming existing library buildings to fit green standards (cf. Lesneski, 2011). Moreover, the focus on being resourceful in library services and programs (cf.…”

“…Specifically, the focus on "green" or environmentally friendly libraries dominates (see Ephraim, 2003;Applin, 2009;Barnes, 2012;Antonelli and McCullough, 2012). In such publications, a focus on library buildings is central, including the design of new environmentally friendly buildings (Latimer, 2013) and the transformation of old buildings to fit new green standards (Lesneski, 2011). A sub-genre of these publications focuses on library buildings obtaining carbon-neutrality or "green" certifications, such as the LEED [4] certification (Barnes, 2012;Peterson et al, 2014).…”