Post Occupancy Evaluation of the Library Building: Diyarbakir Prof. Dr. Fuat Sezgin Provincial Public Library

User satisfaction level in terms of influencing factors such as building height (81%), space height (85%), building entrance perception (78%), building design setup (76%), building form (73%) and building aesthetics (71%) is positive. However, it was found to be negative in terms of criteria affecting building layout, such as suitability with surrounding buildings (67%) and building-disabled relationships (64%) (Table 2). Considering these results, it can be said that the building is successful especially in terms of external appearance, but in general, it has not achieved a high level of success in terms of basic criteria such as compatibility with the environment and the suitability of the interior for the library function.

The form of the building is a segmented rectangle. It can be said that this building form is generally liked by users (77%). The courtyard between the two library buildings was designed as a gateway to connect the east (327^th Street) and west (Mahabbad Boulevard). However, the fact that the rear entrance on the east façade is closed prevents these passages as well as consumes the perception of the rear entrance to a large extent (Figure 4). In the question asked about the perception of the building entrance, an average of 78% was positive. However, in face-to-face interviews, it was determined that the vast majority of users answered without being sure and thinking about the perceptibility of the main entrance. (Figure 4). This shows that the use of the building is as important as the design.

Figure 4.

a) Building form, b) building main entrance, c) building rear entry (Photos by the authors)

In the question in which the suitability with the built close environment was investigated, it was determined that the satisfaction rate was quite insufficient at 67.7%. As a result of the field study, it was determined that the average number of floors of the buildings around the library building is 12, and the library building has 2 floors (Figure 5 Building design and close environment). It seems that the results of the field study and the survey are in agreement.

Figure 5.

a) Building design, b) close environment (Photos by the authors)

The fact that the library building is at a low level compared to its immediate surroundings negatively affects its visibility and visual suitability with other buildings. These results show that not enough attention is paid to the immediate environment in the design of the library building.

Users are generally satisfied with the adequacy of the corridors (71.5%) as a horizontal circulation element. However, as a vertical circulation element, the level of satisfaction with the properties of the stairs (68.9%) is quite low and at a negative level. As a result of face-to-face interviews, the main reasons for this dissatisfaction are; It has been determined that the staircase is used in the middle of the space and without insulation from the working areas and the insulation properties of the materials used are low (non-insulated metal steps) (Figure 6).

Figure 6.

a) Metal stair steps, b) location of the stair, c) library rules (Photos by the authors)

The low satisfaction with elevators (59.2%) is because they are not allowed to be used. (Figure 6). The reason for the low level of satisfaction with access to the fire escape (68.1%) is that, according to face-to-face interviews, access is difficult and direction signs are missing.

Yücel (2016) stated that people with disabilities should be specially considered within the scope of the public library buildings' ability to serve the whole society [29]. There are criteria set by IFLA (2005) [30] regarding the accessibility of persons with disabilities to library buildings. Some of these criteria are the easy and safe access of disabled people to the library building, the use of international signs and materials necessary for comfortable movement in the building, and the use of wheelchair-accessible elevators [30].

When asked about the suitability of the building examined within the scope of the study for the use of the disabled, it was determined that there was a general dissatisfaction rate of 66.8%. As a result of the face-to-face interviews, it was stated that disabled people could not access the upper floors, especially because the elevators were closed for use. Even if the elevators are opened for the use of these individuals in the field study, vital problems may occur if the elevators are disabled in case of any disaster. In addition, it has been determined that no differentiation in the flooring or special signboards has been taken for the accessibility of disabled people. It has been determined that there is no significant design problem in the interior furnishing settlements and ground floor entrance height. When the results are examined, it has been determined that the disabled people do not have a significant problem in terms of access to the building, but that the precautions to be taken by IFLA [30] regarding the access of the disabled are not adequately complied with.

The building, which users find too compact to be changed (65.9%), is far from a flexible design feature. In the building design where spatial flexibility is restricted, users also expressed the flexibility of the equipment (66.2%) with low satisfaction.

The level of satisfaction with the adequacy of the working areas is very low (53.3%). In face-to-face interviews, it was determined that the dimensions of the building were quite inadequate compared to the number of users. As a result of face-to-face interviews and field studies, it was determined that users came to the entrance of the courtyard from 05.00 in the morning to have a working area (Figure 7). In the last part of the questionnaire, “If you had the right to make one spatial change in the building, what would you like to do?” The fact that the option “I would like to enlarge the workspaces” is the most preferred (46%) supports these results.

Figure 7.

a) Users waiting in the queue in the courtyard to have a workspace (at 05.45), b) users waiting in line inside the building to have a workspace (at 15.30) (Photos by the authors)

Inspired by the traditional houses of Diyarbakır, the courtyard has 2 benches, a tree, a broken fountain and a bicycle parking (Figure 8). The platform, which was created for conversations in the courtyard and has a height of approximately 30 cm from the ground, is used by users for sitting purposes. Satisfaction rates related to courtyard features; active use of the courtyard in general 68.1%, the use of the courtyard as a resting area (67.6%), the suitability of the size of the courtyard (65.5%), the active use of the courtyard in the summer season (61.8%), the active use of the courtyard in the winter season (62.5%), the suitability of the courtyard sitting areas (55%), the use of the courtyard as an activity area (59.5%) was determined as water element adequacy (57%) in the courtyard. The level of satisfaction with the courtyard, which is one of the most important units of the current building layout, is generally quite low.

Figure 8.

a) Courtyard seating, landscape elements, b) bicycle parking (Photos by the authors)

These results show that the courtyard in general did not achieve its purposes such as a socializing area and a resting area.

Although the B block of the library has not been opened, it is thought that the cafeteria (65.5%) which is of insufficient size will be even more inadequate to serve in future periods. In the last part of the survey, when asked what would you like to do if they had the right to make a single spatial change, 33.3% of the users preferred the option of “an additional beverage preparation area”, which supports this result. Although there are socializing places near the building, there are people from high-income groups in this district. Considering that the user profile of the building is generally people with lower income levels outside this region, it is economically problematic for them to use the social areas with high costs in the region. It has been determined that the social areas in the immediate vicinity are used very little by library users in face-to-face interviews and field studies.

Leckie and Hopkins (2002) define public libraries as one important public spaces of life activity and social interaction, where folk culture is constructed. They also stated that all expenditures made for libraries that are successful in terms of socialization are an important investment in social capital [18]. Aabo et al., (2010) defined libraries as public spaces that function as a square to emphasize their importance as a place of socialization.

It can be said that the library within the scope of this study is not at a sufficient level in terms of both social space and information access spaces, and that it cannot adequately reach the characteristics of being a social space as stated by Leckie and Hopkins (2002) [18] and Aabo et al., (2010) [4]. In addition, it can be said that the library buildings, specified by IFLA [8] do not meet the criteria of “meeting the needs of users in terms of function” and “suitability of socialization areas” at a sufficient level.

The level of satisfaction between the general design of the interior of the building and its working efficiency is high (80%). The level of satisfaction of the users with the equipment (table, chair, socket places, light receiving, proximity to the noise source) in the space is close to the threshold value (71%) (Table 3). User satisfaction (73%) from personal workspaces is slightly above the threshold‥ Satisfaction is also slightly above in the parameters of interior (space) design (72.59%), warning and direction signs inside the building (70.7%), and collaboration (65.5%). Coworking space satisfaction, on the other hand, received the lowest satisfaction value. The speech and movements of the users adversely affect their attention and concentration in common working spaces (Table 4, Figure 9).

Figure 9.

Interior appearance (Photos by the authors)

In general, indoor working environment efficiency is considered sufficient. However, the value of other interior features, especially the co-working space, needs to be increased. Because the first area where students are directly exposed to the image and use while working is the interior.

The average user satisfaction evaluation of the appearance criterion is negative.Satisfaction levels from high to low, respectively; panorama 72.59%, close environment landscaping 71.48%, dimensions of the parcel 63.33% and courtyard landscaping 58.51%. This level is the lowest criterion of design quality (Table 4).

As a result of the field study, it was determined that the building was built with a drawing distance of 10 m from the west facade and 5 m from the other facades. The building occupies the majority of the parcel on which it was built, leaving very little space for landscape elements and socializing areas (Figure 10).

Figure 10.

layout of the building on the parcel, courtyard landscaping and facade cladding material (Photos by the authors)

The Asante Public Library, which received the 2020 AIA/ALA Library Building award, is designed in a 12-acre park. On the basis of the project, the shading properties of trees, their effect on lighting and the relaxing properties of the landscape are among the most important criteria of the project concept [31]. Considering the features of the Asante Public Library, it can be said that the exterior of the building is surrounded by metal construction, the existing structure was built on a very small area, and the landscape area did not achieve sufficient success in terms of exterior appearance of the library, which is within the scope of little work. These results are in agreement with user thoughts.

When determining the physical location of public libraries, the locations of other libraries in the city should also be considered. In addition, the required region of the city should be selected by researching the user profile. The main purpose of this is to ensure that all the people have access to libraries without any discrimination as a social class [32].

The library building is on the 75-meter road, which is one of the main lines of the newly built Kayapınar district of Diyarbakır city. To the question of how the users who participated in the survey can reach the library, 8 people (6%) by private car, 28 people (44.44%) by foot, 6 people (14.8%) by minibus, 8 people (25.92%) by public bus, 2 people (3.8%) by midibus and 2 person (3.8%) stated that they came to the building. According to these results, 44.44% of users access on foot, 55.56% by motorized or nonmotorized vehicle (Table 5). This suggests that library users generally come from remote areas of the city.

While the satisfaction level of access by private vehicles was sufficient, it was determined that access by public vehicles was not satisfactory. During the face-to-face interviews, it was stated that there is no direct public transportation line from many parts of the city to the library; it was stated that only access was provided by two vehicles.

When users are asked about their access time to the library, 14 people (25.92%) take less than 15 minutes; 26 people (48.1%) between 15 and 30 minutes; 10 people (18.5%); 2 persons (3.7%); 1 person (1.9%); in more than 1 hour; 1 person (1.9%) stated that they reached the building in more than 1.5 hours. This data shows that about 74% of the users come from parts of the city remote from the library. When the access time and access patterns of the users to the library are examined, it can be said that the current parcel selected for the library is far from the regions where the user profile lives and there are problems with transportation. So much so that when users were asked about their reasons for choosing the library, only (10.3%) chose the option “I prefer it because it is close to my house”. These results may show that the location chosen for the library is not suitable for the user profile. However, users seem to be satisfied with the land location (78.88%). According to the face-to-face interviews, the main reason for these results is that the library is in a luxurious area. It is seen that the library can be found easily when the place perception (building) (82.59%) is questioned. While the satisfaction level of a sufficient car parking place is very low (59.62%), the users stated that the bicycle parking lot in the courtyard (75.92%) is sufficient. As a result of field studies, project readings and face-to-face interviews, it was determined that no bicycle or vehicle parking lot was included in the project during the design and construction phase, and the bicycle park was added to the courtyard after the demand of the users. When the analyses about the physical acces of the building are examined, it can be said that the building does not fit the user profile of the immediate environment enough [32].

To determine the thermal comfort level of the building, the questions directed to the users are at the threshold value in the satisfaction index. (Table 6).

To provide thermal comfort in the building, there is a mechanical heating, cooling and ventilation system. The indoor thermal comfort of the users is at a sufficient level in the summer (77.47%) and winter (71.48%) seasons. in addition, the general satisfaction of the users with the building orientation supports the satisfaction with the seasons. Although these results show that users are satisfied with thermal comfort, it should not be forgotten that mechanical air conditioning systems cause significant damage to sustainability, such as high energy consumption, fossil fuel use, and CO₂ emissions [33, 34]. The fact that one of the five most basic criteria that libraries should have in the AIA/ALA awards is environmental sustainability, which shows the importance of sustainable building designs in libraries [35]. The thermal insulation satisfaction index (70.37%) is almost at the threshold value. However, considering that indoor thermal comfort features directly affect the quality of education, this rate is expected to be much higher. In the face-to-face interviews, it was determined that the main reason for this was the negative effect of the thermal insulation of the gallery space designed in the middle of the space. In addition, the absence of shading devices in the building may cause the building temperature to rise at certain times of the day (12.00-15.00) and the use of more artificial ventilation. The use of shading elements in buildings in hot and arid climates reduces the energy consumed for thermal comfort by 10-40% [36]. In addition, considering the hot and dry climate of Diyarbakır, the absence of shading elements may negatively affect sustainability.

It has been determined that the users have a general satisfaction in the parameters of indoor odour quality (food, humidity, WC, etc.) (76.6%), indoor air quality (78.14%) and artificial ventilation quality (73.73%) (Table 7).

It has been determined that there is a significant dissatisfaction with the natural ventilation (65.92%) and general ventilation system (69.25%). As a result of face-to-face interviews and fieldwork, it was determined that the lack of natural ventilation in the building was the main reason for this. (building windows are fixed and cannot be opened) (Figure 11). Airless and smelly places are harmful to human health. In addition, it reduces their working and perception performance [37]. Considering that the users of the existing library building are mostly students, the insufficient level of ventilation system for the users may negatively affect their learning and working characteristics.

Figure 11.

Fixed windows (Photos by the authors)

Although the size of the windows seems to be an advantage for natural lighting, the fact that no measures have been taken for light control, especially on the upper floors, disturbs the users. In the face-to-face interviews, it was stated that natural lighting causes glare in certain periods.

The low noise level in the spaces used as workspaces led to general satisfaction (76.22%) (Table 8).

It was determined that there was general dissatisfaction with the sound insulation (73.33%) and acoustic quality (66.66%) of the building. In the face-to-face interviews, the use of sound from indoor groups as the main reason for the low acoustic quality of the building. It has been reported that flooring materials reflect sound. One of the most important reasons for using libraries as study areas is that the environment is quiet [12]. The fact that the sound insulation properties of the existing building are not at a level that can prevent the sound in the external environment may negatively affect the working quality of the students.

It has been determined that there is a general satisfaction (80.37%) from artificial lighting due to the increase in screen visibility and the brightness and light colour at the appropriate level for the work area. When the safety indices related to the artificial and natural lighting features of the building are examined, it can be said that there is no significant problem. (Table 9). However, satisfaction indexes related to the effect of lighting on screen visibility are expected to be higher.

Lighting affects human metabolism and psychology. Lighting levels that can meet the physiological needs of users in library buildings can positively affect the working time and productivity of users [38]. In field studies, it was determined that no measures were taken to control the natural lighting provided by large windows. In the face-to-face interviews, it was stated that sunlight negatively affects the visibility of the screen and causes glare at certain times of the day, especially at the tables close to the windows. By solving the few problems related to the lighting level, it will positively affect the working time and productivity of the users, as Ataç (2013) stated.

When the exterior panel aesthetics (colour, texture, etc.) were analysed in the previous sections, it was determined that there was a general dissatisfaction, but satisfaction in terms of visual comfort. In the face-to-face interviews, it was determined that the main reason for this was that the panel prevented distraction thanks to its distinctive feature.

It has been stated that measures such as the use of alarm system, closed circuit camera system, systems to prevent criminals from entering the building should be taken in order to ensure security in the Adcock et al. (1991) library buildings [39].

In the analysis of indoor security measures in terms of user satisfaction, it was determined that there was only a high degree of satisfaction with the presence of the camera system (80%). As a result of face-to-face interviews, it has been determined that the security camera system has started to be used due to the events that disturb the peace of the users recently (Table 10).

It has been determined that there is a significant level of dissatisfaction with all security measures except the security camera system of the building. As a result of face-to-face interviews and fieldwork; It has been determined that the reasons for this dissatisfaction are that there is only one security staff member, member cards are not checked at the entrance and exit despite being in the library rules, anyone can enter without being checked, the night lighting is very low, and visual privacy is not provided. Considering the security measures that Adcock et al. (1991) [39] stated and that should be taken in the library buildings, it can be said that the security measures in the existing building are insufficient.

It was determined that there was a general satisfaction (75.92%) with the electrical service of the building. However, it was determined that users were not satisfied with the electrical installation (68.51%). The main reason for this is the insufficient socket inputs for the use of electronic devices. Contrary to the satisfaction level of the periodic collection of garbage, it was determined that there was dissatisfaction with the general cleaning of the building (70.37%) (Table 12). As a result of face-to-face interviews, it was determined that there was only one cleaning staff in the building and therefore it was insufficient in terms of cleaning.

When the quality of the plumbing (67.77%) was questioned (making noise, flowing, dripping), users stated that they were not satisfied. As a result of face-to-face interviews, some of the examples given are that the fountain in the courtyard could not be used because it was not maintained, and the sink faucet remained out of order for a long time despite being repaired now. When internet access was questioned, it was determined that there were significant connectivity problems in both wired and wireless internet. As a result of face-to-face interviews, it was stated that many users could not benefit from any electronic resources due to the inefficient internet access of the library. In the study conducted by Bertot, McClure, and Jaeger (2006), it was stated that providing internet access in public libraries to people who cannot otherwise access the internet has benefits such as access to digital information and making libraries a gathering space [40]. As it can be understood from this study, insufficient internet access may prevent the library from reaching the library’s goals, especially the criteria for compliance with information technologies specified by IFLA [8].

It was determined that there was a general dissatisfaction with the floor (68.5%) and ceiling coverings (68.92%) while the building elements were only satisfied with the wall material (white paint) (76.66%) (Table 12).

As a result of face-to-face interviews and fieldwork, the reasons for the dissatisfaction with the flooring; it has been determined that the joints are not well welded, noise from the floor and rapid deformation of the materials (Figure 12).

Figure 12.

Deformed floor covering material, deformed step, and deformed ceiling covering material (Photos by the authors)

As a result of face-to-face interviews, it was determined that the reason for the dissatisfaction with the ceiling covering was that the parts that fell due to water intake could not be reinstalled and the plumbing was visible. The fact that the level of satisfaction is very low in terms of the measures taken against rain in the building supports this situation. As a result of the field study, it was determined that there was significant water infiltration not only on the ceiling but also on the walls. These results show that more attention should be paid to workmanship and material selection.