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Libraries are the places in which the information produced by human kind over many centuries is gathared, processed, multiplied and shared. The materials on which the information is stored have been having different properties such as papyrus, stone, paper, electronic devices. However the common characteristic of all of them is the necessity of a space to be kept. This space is enclosed whith an artificial shell which is shaped according to the requirements and called as a "library building". Libraries are divided into different groups such as university library, research library, public library, children library and school library. Thus their users also have different characteristics. The term "user" generally describes the persons who use the collection to reach information. However, when the "library user" is mentioned the term should address all persons who are library building whether for a short term or long term. Library users can be grouped as temporary and permanent users according to their presence in the building. From this persons who use the collection are called "temporary users". The others who work in the library are called "permanent users", and they are more affected from the advers effects of library buildings. Determination of all users requirements and related standards during the design stage and producing the building in accordance with the design will prevent the building to have adverce effects on users' health. The developed and changed technologies affect the collection materials as well as the physical characteristics of the library space. Especially, computerised and related technologies bring considerable changes to libraries. The design of library buildings shows different approaches because the temporary users do not have to physically present in the library, and the new collection materials do not have to take places on the shelves. The presentation of temporary and permanent library user groups in design consultation team is an impotant issue to the determination of library user requirements.

Savoie-Biblio: departmental libraries of the Savoie and Haute-Savoie redefine their territory and their model At the beginning of the year 2000, a wish to bring together the departmental libraries of Savoie and Haute-Savoie was expressed by the representatives of the two departments. A feasibility study has been the opportunity to challenge the traditional model of departmental lending libraries centred around the quarterly deposit of books with the help of the mobile library. A new model is in the process of emerging with strong central themes: advice and training, shared management of the collections and the promotion of cultural activities. The chosen legal form will permit progressive experimentation with the new model.

Ten Years After : How County LibrariesHave Evolved Since Decentralization The Central Lending Libraries were exterior services of the Ministry of Culture until December 31st 1985 when they were transferred to the County Councils on January 1st 1996. They officially took the title of Departmental Lending Libraries (bibliothèque départementale de prêt) in 1992. From the seven successive editions of Guide des bdp, published by the Association des directeurs de bdp, this article examines the principal developments, quantitatively as much as qualitatively, that occurred between 1986 and 1996 in matters of personnel, buildings, vehicles, computers, stocks, policy, and network structures. It shows that the new orientations have been superimposed on the old, without always replacing them completely.