Have you seen this project by the fictional Department of Urban Betterment? It is a pretty neat repurposing some (largely) outmoded infrastructure to something else: an honors system book swap.
I know the word “library” has a few uses but I’m also a bit sad that we haven’t elevated it beyond the common “pile of books” use.
A new library at the edge of a public plaza – complete with tube stop – that hosts a farmers market and other community events.
Here’s a review of the building from the Guardian. It has some typical libraries = book talk but also some higher level sentiments:
And not, according to its architect, Piers Gough, for whom “books haven’t gone away. Libraries still hold these magic realms of invention, realms of ideas. They’re places where you’re not told what to think; they’re also places where you can stay and stop and spend as long as you like.”
More from the BBC: ‘Super library’ in Southwark opens its doors
The Ubiquitous Librarian on a private learning space near campus:
What really surprised me though was seeing three VT students using it as a study/productivity space. TechPad offers a subscription model for “nomads” ($60 per month) providing access to a table and shared amenities. It was finals time and this was their hub.
This is a big challenge for academic libraries, right? Library space is important to students and that’s a legitimate need. But if librarians aren’t valued along with that space, there’s not much preventing students from finding other, perhaps more comfortable spaces, near campus.
An interesting aspect to this is that in conducting interview of students for Influx projects we’ve repeatedly heard students say that being in the library somehow increases their productivity. One person even told us that they visit the corners of the library where the wifi doesn’t reach to prevent distraction.
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro just launched the Journal of Learning Spaces. It is an open access journal so the full text is available for all to read freely.
Though the focus – at least of this first issue – is on classroom and not other learning spaces like libraries, there’s plenty of overlap that should be of interest to librarians.
I really nerded out with Use of swivel desks and aisle space to promote interaction in mid-sized college classrooms.
I don’t know anything about the services of the library or what goes on there. Let’s hope they’re as striking as the building!
Clicking though the city’s photos I noticed that the mayor handed out library branded chocolate at the grand opening.
I only mention this because the chocolate bars are the square shaped Ritter Sport, one of my favorites. The shape of the bars match the cube design of the building.
Previously Libraries in Which I’d Live
Lukenwalde Edition
Glaspaleis Edition
Yesterday I enjoyed a behind the scenes look at the Biblioteca Vasconcelos’ greenhouse and it is amazing. Sitting adjacent to the library it is connected via the library’s garden. There’s talk of turning it into a reading room with wireless access. !
Here are some full color views of this amazing and unique library space.
The space has a really nice feel due in part to pleasant natural light and smart furniture. Without looking temporary, the desks and stacks seem modular and I bet the space could easily be configured in different arrangements.
One service desk. No chair for the librarians. Love it. If I remember correctly, this is one of MCL’s branches doing a good job with reference beyond the desk.
MCL has a great collection called “Lucky Day.” The items are popular books exempt from the usual reserves queue. This is a fun idea that puts a positive spin on someone’s experience when they connect with a book they want. Offering a variable ratio schedule of returns, I bet it could be an effective way to get people into the building. Get lucky at the library.
It would have been my lucky day if I hadn’t already bought this book.
The library is in the midst of a bunch of neighborhood shops, restaurants and bars – a central location for the neighborhood. The “LIBRARY” sign looks great, appears to use the sign fixture for whatever was in that space before and is contextually appropriate. Nice job MCL!
UConn plans a bike-sharing test program in the next few months, in which anyone with a current UConn identification could borrow one of 20 bicycles at the Homer Babbidge Library.
The Undergraduate Student Government purchased the bikes. If the pilot program is successful, more bicycles will be purchased.
I wonder if this was a library idea supported by the student government or if the student government approached the library. Either way, I’m into it.
Other bike related stuff here at Walking Paper:
- Reading Rickshaw +
- P+ Bike System
- Libraries can Learn from Rivendell Bicycle Works
Here’s a rather twee video that briefly celebrates the library as a good place to be alone. Not exactly what we’re going for, eh?
