The two maps illustrate how the layout of the ground floor of a library changed between 2001 and 2009.
Overall, the ground floor underwent substantial redevelopment over the eight-year period, becoming more modern and visitor-friendly. The most noticeable changes were the reorganisation of the book sections, the introduction of a children’s area and computer facilities, and the replacement of the newspaper and periodicals section with a films and DVDs collection. Meanwhile, the entrance, the stairs and the librarian’s desk remained in the same positions.
Regarding the book sections, the layout was extensively reorganised. In 2001, the history and self-help sections occupied the left-hand side of the library, while fiction was located along the northern side. By 2009, history, fiction and self-help had all been relocated to form a vertical row on the left of the ground floor. At the same time, three new book sections, namely law, economics and kitchen, were introduced above them. In addition, the children’s books section replaced fiction at the top of the library. On the opposite side, the newspaper and periodicals section was converted into a films and DVDs area.
Turning to the remaining facilities, a children’s area was created directly below the children’s books section. The tables in the centre of the library were also rearranged, changing from eight individual tables to four larger units. Furthermore, a computer area was added in the south-east corner next to the films and DVDs section. By contrast, the entrance remained at the southern end of the library, with the librarian’s desk directly above it, while the stairs continued to occupy the south-east corner throughout the period.