The new central public library for Veria, Greece

Abstract

A new central public library is being planned for the town of Veria, Greece, to open in 1995. The building, funded by the Ministry of Education, will have its design selected as the result of a limited architectural competition. In addition to the library benefits for Veria, it is hoped that the building and the planning process related to it, will serve as a model for other Greek public library building projects. The article describes the author's involvement as consultant to the Veria project, working with the librarian on the preparation of the brief. Following short accounts of the Greek public library scene; the community to be served by the Veria library; the drawbacks of the present building; the site for the new library, and aspects of the brief, the writer ends with a discussion of the difficulties and constraints faced by the consultant advising on an overseas project.