Comment 8 for bug 1597437

Martin, you've done everything well. Indeed, additional packages are needed for the successful compilation. They can be installed by the command 'sudo apt-get build-dep package_name' (there can be hefty pack, that's why I'm usually using virtual machine for the compilation and revert it to the last snapshot afterwards).
The size of the resulting library can be decreased by setting specific compiler options. If you examine Makefile which was created after './configure' has finished its work, you'll find CFLAGS string in it containing -g option (the level of debugging information) and -O2 option (optimization level). Disabling debugging information affects size of the resulting file but isn't advised (this may cause undesired results). Increasing optimization level will reduce the compiled file size (higher levels of optimisation also may cause undesired code behavior). Better leave it as it is. Those who perform packaging are better aware how this specific package should be compiled to ensure its minimal size for the distribution.