Comments on: providing uncopyable experiences http://www.walkingpaper.org/2083 A library design consultancy, shop and blog by Aaron Schmidt Thu, 09 Feb 2012 23:25:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Carolyn Wood http://www.walkingpaper.org/2083/comment-page-1#comment-25298 Carolyn Wood Sun, 24 May 2009 16:05:12 +0000 http://www.walkingpaper.org/?p=2083#comment-25298 Nina - "Ok, everybody's right in the library." I like it. WDFPL is working on copying a few "uncopyable" experiences. Regardless of whether the "uncopyable" experiences are "copyable", securing a liquor license remains problematic Nina – “Ok, everybody’s right in the library.” I like it.

WDFPL is working on copying a few “uncopyable” experiences. Regardless of whether the “uncopyable” experiences are “copyable”, securing a liquor license remains problematic

]]> By: Nina Simon http://www.walkingpaper.org/2083/comment-page-1#comment-25283 Nina Simon Wed, 20 May 2009 21:52:56 +0000 http://www.walkingpaper.org/?p=2083#comment-25283 OK, everybody's right! Very similar to what I'm thinking for the bar. If the interactions with people/content platforms linking is the "uncopyable" part, I'm into it. Of course, I think every library and museum should copy it in their own unique way for their audience/community once we get it working... OK, everybody’s right! Very similar to what I’m thinking for the bar. If the interactions with people/content platforms linking is the “uncopyable” part, I’m into it. Of course, I think every library and museum should copy it in their own unique way for their audience/community once we get it working…

]]> By: Aaron http://www.walkingpaper.org/2083/comment-page-1#comment-25281 Aaron Wed, 20 May 2009 15:37:16 +0000 http://www.walkingpaper.org/?p=2083#comment-25281 Nina, I agree with you (and I still agree with me too). I don't think that these experiences are the only thing that libraries should be concentrating on but think it would be more productive to concentrate on these things than book mausoleum duties. Visiting the library day after day, as you mention, is something I had in mind when thinking about these experiences. At a cafe I frequent there are some customers that visit about the same amount as me. I see some of them once a week or so. On occasion we end up talking about the work we're doing, about weekend plans, and so forth. These naturally occurring conversations are great, but things got really interesting when I saw one of the baristas connect two people one day. "You know, so and so had a question about that. You should talk to her." I took it as evidence that a setting like that + someone really good at connecting people/information (librarians) + planned events + a little content could = something really special. This can't be too dissimilar to what you have in mind for a museum/bar combo, right? Nina, I agree with you (and I still agree with me too). I don’t think that these experiences are the only thing that libraries should be concentrating on but think it would be more productive to concentrate on these things than book mausoleum duties.

Visiting the library day after day, as you mention, is something I had in mind when thinking about these experiences. At a cafe I frequent there are some customers that visit about the same amount as me. I see some of them once a week or so. On occasion we end up talking about the work we’re doing, about weekend plans, and so forth. These naturally occurring conversations are great, but things got really interesting when I saw one of the baristas connect two people one day. “You know, so and so had a question about that. You should talk to her.”

I took it as evidence that a setting like that + someone really good at connecting people/information (librarians) + planned events + a little content could = something really special.

This can’t be too dissimilar to what you have in mind for a museum/bar combo, right?

]]> By: Nina Simon http://www.walkingpaper.org/2083/comment-page-1#comment-25279 Nina Simon Wed, 20 May 2009 12:24:50 +0000 http://www.walkingpaper.org/?p=2083#comment-25279 I don't know, Aaron. "Providing uncopyable experiences" is the scarcity model upon which museums operate. They are a major justification for paid admission, and they make the visitor experience unique. However, that uniqueness also makes the museum experience precious and special in a way that tends to diminish frequent repeat use. That's where libraries have museums beat - they feel like home (somewhat) and we feel that we can hang out there day after day. I think libraries need to focus on creating spaces that are welcoming, comfortable, and specifically valuable as a "not home" hang out spaces. This may involve some uncopyable experiences. But don't get too precious or fancy, or people will start evaluating the library as an entertainment option (which competes with movies, museums, etc.) instead of as an extension of home into public space. I don’t know, Aaron. “Providing uncopyable experiences” is the scarcity model upon which museums operate. They are a major justification for paid admission, and they make the visitor experience unique. However, that uniqueness also makes the museum experience precious and special in a way that tends to diminish frequent repeat use. That’s where libraries have museums beat – they feel like home (somewhat) and we feel that we can hang out there day after day. I think libraries need to focus on creating spaces that are welcoming, comfortable, and specifically valuable as a “not home” hang out spaces. This may involve some uncopyable experiences. But don’t get too precious or fancy, or people will start evaluating the library as an entertainment option (which competes with movies, museums, etc.) instead of as an extension of home into public space.

]]> By: Winnie http://www.walkingpaper.org/2083/comment-page-1#comment-25278 Winnie Wed, 20 May 2009 05:10:17 +0000 http://www.walkingpaper.org/?p=2083#comment-25278 Danger Mouse is a cartoon super-hero whose sidekick is a hamster named Penfold. Danger Mouse is a cartoon super-hero whose sidekick is a hamster named Penfold.

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