Paris Nanterre, France : Translating a library's identity into its spaces, furnishings and graphic choices
Abstract
How do you convey the spirit and personality of a library in its buildings, spaces, facilities and reception areas? How do you express the spirit and philosophy of a service in a graphic charter? Libraries have personalities that distinguish and characterize them. In France, after ten years of modernization of its spaces and services, and following building renovations, the central library of the Université Paris Nanterre and its network have developed their own spirit, which is guided by the library's strategic orientations. This “spirit” of the University Library of Paris Nanterre is expressed in its spaces through the choice of atmospheres, the layout of document areas, reading rooms, work and training rooms, welcoming areas, furniture and equipment, including in professional areas. I would like to show you how this strategic approach to openings and welcoming publics has gone far in its communication: the spirit of the university library is reflected right down to the choices made for the graphic charter and palette and its new directional signage, which takes up the identity of the library building (central library with contemporary architecture label; specialized network libraries). It also has an impact on the way in which the public is welcomed, which is at the heart of the library teams' thinking.
Full text
Translating a library's identity into its spaces, furnishings and graphic choices Université Paris Nanterre, France Cécile Swiatek Cassafieres, University Librarian, Library Director, Université Paris Nanterre This slideshow has a DOI : 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
16 universities in Paris, 75 in France >2 million students enrolled to prepare for the national Bachelor's, Master's and Doctorate degrees ; 116,000 students enrolled in a University Institute of Technology Total population in France in 2024 : 68.37 million Before we start 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
France has an Education code of law. Unlike in a common law country, in a civil law country like France, this type of legislation purports to exhaustively cover a complete system of laws or a particular area of law as it existed at the time the code was enacted, by a process of codification. https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/article_lc/LEGIARTI000027866279 Libraries regularly remind this to the world. https://bu.parisnanterre.fr/le-service-commun-de-la-documentation-scd Interesting 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
Article D714-29 Version in force since 21 August 2013 Creation Decree n°2013-756 of 19 August 2013 - art. Libraries contribute to the training and research activities of institutions. In particular, they carry out the following tasks: 1° Implementing the documentary policy of the university or contracting establishments, coordinating the corresponding resources and evaluating the services offered to users ; 2° Welcoming users and staff working in the university or contracting establishments, as well as any other members of the public under conditions specified by the university's board of governors or the agreement for an inter-establishment service, and organising work and consultation areas; 3° Acquiring, signposting, managing and communicating documents and information resources on all media; 4° Developing digital documentary resources, contributing to their production and promoting their use; participating in the development of scientific and technical information, in particular by producing, signposting and distributing digital documents; 5° To participate, for the benefit of users, in research into these various resources and in the cultural, scientific and technical activities of the university or contracting establishments; 6° To promote, through documentary action and the adaptation of services, any initiative in the field of initial and continuing education and research; 7° Cooperate with libraries working towards the same objectives, whatever their status, in particular by participating in collective catalogues; 8° Train users to make the widest possible use of new techniques for accessing scientific and technical information. 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
Article D714-29 Version in force since 21 August 2013 Creation Decree n°2013-756 of 19 August 2013 - art. Libraries contribute to the training and research activities of institutions. In particular, they carry out the following tasks: 1° Implementing the documentary policy of the university or contracting establishments, coordinating the corresponding resources and evaluating the services offered to users ; 2° Welcoming users and staff working in the university or contracting establishments, as well as any other members of the public under conditions specified by the university's board of governors or the agreement for an inter-establishment service, and organising work and consultation areas; 3° Acquiring, signposting, managing and communicating documents and information resources on all media; 4° Developing digital documentary resources, contributing to their production and promoting their use; participating in the development of scientific and technical information, in particular by producing, signposting and distributing digital documents; 5° To participate, for the benefit of users, in research into these various resources and in the cultural, scientific and technical activities of the university or contracting establishments; 6° To promote, through documentary action and the adaptation of services, any initiative in the field of initial and continuing education and research; 7° Cooperate with libraries working towards the same objectives, whatever their status, in particular by participating in collective catalogues; 8° Train users to make the widest possible use of new techniques for accessing scientific and technical information.
Article D714-29 Version in force since 21 August 2013 Creation Decree n°2013-756 of 19 August 2013 - art. Libraries contribute to the training and research activities of institutions. In particular, they carry out the following tasks: 1° Implementing the documentary policy of the university or contracting establishments, coordinating the corresponding resources and evaluating the services offered to users ; 2° Welcoming users and staff working in the university or contracting establishments, as well as any other members of the public under conditions specified by the university's board of governors or the agreement for an inter-establishment service, and organising work and consultation areas; 3° Acquiring, signposting, managing and communicating documents and information resources on all media; 4° Developing digital documentary resources, contributing to their production and promoting their use; participating in the development of scientific and technical information, in particular by producing, signposting and distributing digital documents; 5° To participate, for the benefit of users, in research into these various resources and in the cultural, scientific and technical activities of the university or contracting establishments; 6° To promote, through documentary action and the adaptation of services, any initiative in the field of initial and continuing education and research; 7° Cooperate with libraries working towards the same objectives, whatever their status, in particular by participating in collective catalogues; 8° Train users to make the widest possible use of new techniques for accessing scientific and technical information.
Article D714-29 Version in force since 21 August 2013 Creation Decree n°2013-756 of 19 August 2013 - art. Libraries contribute to the training and research activities of institutions. In particular, they carry out the following tasks: 1° Implementing the documentary policy of the university or contracting establishments, coordinating the corresponding resources and evaluating the services offered to users ; 2° Welcoming users and staff working in the university or contracting establishments, as well as any other members of the public under conditions specified by the university's board of governors or the agreement for an inter-establishment service, and organising work and consultation areas; 3° Acquiring, signposting, managing and communicating documents and information resources on all media; 4° Developing digital documentary resources, contributing to their production and promoting their use; participating in the development of scientific and technical information, in particular by producing, signposting and distributing digital documents; 5° To participate, for the benefit of users, in research into these various resources and in the cultural, scientific and technical activities of the university or contracting establishments; 6° To promote, through documentary action and the adaptation of services, any initiative in the field of initial and continuing education and research; 7° Cooperate with libraries working towards the same objectives, whatever their status, in particular by participating in collective catalogues; 8° Train users to make the widest possible use of new techniques for accessing scientific and technical information.
Article D714-29 Version in force since 21 August 2013 Creation Decree n°2013-756 of 19 August 2013 - art. Libraries contribute to the training and research activities of institutions. In particular, they carry out the following tasks: 1° Implementing the documentary policy of the university or contracting establishments, coordinating the corresponding resources and evaluating the services offered to users ; 2° Welcoming users and staff working in the university or contracting establishments, as well as any other members of the public under conditions specified by the university's board of governors or the agreement for an inter-establishment service, and organising work and consultation areas; 3° Acquiring, signposting, managing and communicating documents and information resources on all media; 4° Developing digital documentary resources, contributing to their production and promoting their use; participating in the development of scientific and technical information, in particular by producing, signposting and distributing digital documents; 5° To participate, for the benefit of users, in research into these various resources and in the cultural, scientific and technical activities of the university or contracting establishments; 6° To promote, through documentary action and the adaptation of services, any initiative in the field of initial and continuing education and research; 7° Cooperate with libraries working towards the same objectives, whatever their status, in particular by participating in collective catalogues; 8° Train users to make the widest possible use of new techniques for accessing scientific and technical information.
Nanterre - Spirit and identity. Edouard Albert Architecte 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
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Libraries network LCE Library, Nanterre (Cobalt Architectes) 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
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Le Pixel (opened Sept 2021) - Sogno Architectes 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
Le Pixel (opened Sept 2021) - Sogno Architectes 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
Equipment 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
Equipment 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
Furniture (public and professional) 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
Welcoming and service areas 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
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Directional signage Works and temporary signage 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
Website / digital interfaces / social media / Youtube 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
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Open to all 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
Students training Students hiring Books giveaway Students literary awards 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
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Research support https://hal.parisnanterre.fr/ https://science-ouverte.parisnanterre.fr/ 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
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Publications and posters Cécile Swiatek Cassafieres, Claire Gadault. Infrastructures de la science ouverte. LIBER 2023 Annual Conference, Jul 2023, Budapest - Hongrie, Hongrie. ⟨hal-04142253⟩ - english version on https://zenodo.org/records/8134805 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
Professional events Hosting the national network of academic & research libraries infolit trainers congress 2025. 10.5281/zenodo.14002925
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Slideshows Office documents New year card Goodies… Everything ! 10.5281/zenodo.14002925