This study focuses on rural children’s libraries located in Southern Characteristic Conservation Villages in China and systematically explores localization design strategies applicable to such libraries from the perspective of localization design. W...
This study focuses on rural children’s libraries located in Southern Characteristic Conservation Villages in China and systematically explores localization design strategies applicable to such libraries from the perspective of localization design. With the continuous advancement of China’s Rural Revitalization Strategy and traditional rural conservation policies, rural children’s libraries have become important spatial media that support children’s development, provide public cultural services, and facilitate the transmission of regional culture. However, existing studies on children’s libraries have primarily focused on urban contexts, while research on the spatial design of rural children’s libraries within traditional rural settings remains relatively limited. In particular, systematic design studies that comprehensively consider children’s developmental needs, rural lifestyles, and regional cultural characteristics are still insufficient. Therefore, establishing a localization design strategy system for rural children’s libraries in Southern Characteristic Conservation Villages has significant theoretical and practical value.
First, this study developed an analytical framework for the localization design of rural children’s libraries through a comprehensive review of localization design theory, child development theory, environmental behavior theory, theories related to children’s libraries, and studies on rural children in China. Based on this framework, five localization design characteristics were identified: place dependence, regional cultural growth, subject adaptability, lifestyle integration, and spatial experience generation.
Next, using these five localization design characteristics as an analytical framework, this study conducted a comparative analysis of ten representative rural library cases in southern China. By comprehensively examining the spatial organization methods, responses to regional environmental conditions, and user-supporting design elements found in these cases, a total of 29 localization design elements were derived. On this basis, a localization design element system for rural children’s libraries was established.
Based on these findings, field investigations and questionnaire surveys were conducted in Southern Characteristic Conservation Villages to identify the design requirements of rural children’s libraries. The field investigations analyzed the actual conditions of use and spatial problems of rural children’s libraries through spatial observation, behavioral recording, and environmental surveys. In addition, a questionnaire survey was administered to actual users of three rural children’s libraries. The questionnaire items were developed based on the 29 design elements, and users’ perceptions of the importance of these elements were analyzed. These procedures provided empirical evidence for constructing the design strategy system.
The results show that the localization design of rural children’s libraries should move beyond the mere expression of regional forms or traditional elements and should instead comprehensively consider children’s developmental needs, rural lifestyles, regional environmental characteristics, and the transmission of regional culture. In particular, the results of the field investigations and questionnaire surveys indicate that subject adaptability and lifestyle integration are important design requirements. This suggests that children’s body scale, safety, age-based use, emotional stability, daily accessibility, and the possibility of intergenerational sharing should be prioritized in the design of rural children’s libraries. In addition, place dependence, regional cultural growth, and spatial experience generation indicate that rural children’s libraries should remain continuously connected with the rural natural environment, local architectural system, regional cultural resources, and the spatial experiences of users.
Finally, by integrating the findings from theoretical research, case analysis, and empirical investigation, this study linked the five localization design characteristics and 29 design elements with actual use conditions and user needs, and transformed them into specific design strategies. Accordingly, a localization design strategy system for rural children’s libraries in Southern Characteristic Conservation Villages in China was established. This study presents design directions that can serve as references for the future construction, remodeling, and spatial improvement of rural children’s libraries in Southern Characteristic Conservation Villages. However, this study has certain limitations in terms of the survey region, and the practical effects of the proposed design strategies have not yet been sufficiently verified. Therefore, future research should continuously examine the applicability of this strategy system by considering various regional types and actual design and operation cases.