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2004: “Your children are being solicited in chatrooms!”
Meanwhile, adults start using IM at work and IM scare stories go away.
Then,
2006: “Your children are being solicited on MySpace!”
Meanwhile, people over 35 join Facebook en masse and social networking site scare stories go away.
Then,
2009:
The cycle continues!
Last week a very interesting building opened up in Seoul.
The temporary structure, a project from the Office for Metropolitan Architecture/Rem Koolhaas (famous/infamous in the library world as the force behind Seattle Public Library), can be lifted with three cranes and rearranged to rest on different sides for different purposes. Events planned include a fashion show, movie screenings, and art exhibition.
I have been interested in libraries using slightly alternative form factors for a little while (more thoughts on a cafe branch, also see Nate Hill’s library outpost) and I’m increasingly interested in library buildings being as flexible as possible. Clearly the Prada Transformer is more of a thought experiment than the solution to a real problem but I admire the extremes to which this project explores the idea of adaptable space.
Previously, Koolhaas built a transformable house for a wheelchair bound man. Check out some footage from a documentary about the house.
Immediately after the first run of Creating the Future for Libraries notebooks were released and sold out I started taking orders for the next batch. I had an idea of what I wanted to do for the second version but it took me a few attempts to be happy with the design.
They are being printed this week. Here’s a little preview. When they’re available I’ll tell you about the really great library resource I used for inspiration.
Ok, not for your entire collection, but for a special display?
I love one of the comments on the original post
The author never had books. It looks good, stylish, but absolutely useless. It’s hard to keep books vertically even on horizontal regular bookshelf. This one will make you curse
From Good Experience:
Wawa is a much-loved chain of friendly, well-run convenience stores on the east coast. They’re particularly well known for their coffee… less known is the story of their first cup:
Russo was general manager of the Aston Township store, the second Wawa, 35 years ago, and one day he brought in a 30-cup percolator to make coffee for the staff. A customer noticed. “One gentleman asked if I would sell him a cup,” Russo said. “I put the money in the cash register.
Is there anything the people in your community often ask for that you can turn into a service? Color copies? Faxing? Assistance emailing photos?
Last month when I was in Mexico I had the opportunity to visit a number of small and sometimes rural public libraries. I was totally impressed with the enthusiasm of the library workers and the pride they took in providing library services.
Even more inspirational was the signage treatment provided, I think, for libraries across the state of Veracruz. These pictures came from a number of different libraries but you probably wouldn’t guess that if I hadn’t of mentioned it.
I saw zero 8.5×11″ pieces of paper taped to walls.
Are there any libraries in the US, perhaps in a consortium, that have worked together to provide uniform wayfinding devices for library users? This would make sense where people use a few different libraries that are in close proximity.
We could have a universal signage system for all libraries. It seems to be a logical extension of sharing the same classification systems. Then again, I’m not sure how this 1920s-esque Rationalist idea fits with my previous post advocating for fun, human language on library websites.
Last month when I was in Mexico I had the opportunity to visit a number of small and sometimes rural public libraries. I was totally impressed with the enthusiasm of the library workers and the pride they took in providing library services.
Even more inspirational was the signage treatment provided, I think, for libraries across the state of Veracruz. These pictures came from a number of different libraries but you probably wouldn’t guess that if I hadn’t of mentioned it.
I saw zero 8.5×11″ pieces of paper taped to walls.
Are there any libraries in the US, perhaps in a consortium, that have worked together to provide uniform wayfinding devices for library users? This would make sense where people use a few different libraries that are in close proximity.
We could have a universal signage system for all libraries. It seems to be a logical extension of sharing the same classification systems. Then again, I’m not sure how this 1920s-esque Rationalist idea fits with my previous post advocating for fun, human language on library websites.
I recently posted about some nice dialog box language I came across and I saw some more today. I’d much rather click on a “Ooh, That Sounds like Fun!” button than one that reads “Register!” That cutesy language, however, might be at the limit for how far it can go without obfuscating the actual purpose of clicking.
The screenshot is from the new Twitter client Tweetie. I debated whether or not I should take the time to post about this nice dialog box but later on in the day I was inspired to whilst attempting to place a reserve on a library item.
I fully realize that I’m being picky and that I’m hyper-aware of this issue, but even though the OPAC asked me to please fill in “ALL” of the info, it almost-but-not-quite-felt like MCL was reprimanding me for not filling something in. It felt more like their choice of message was a lost opportunity to use the situation to make a friend or ally.
Here’s my 3 minute redo which isn’t perfect but does add a nice UX element: an arrow indicating where action is needed.
I love using the Multnomah County Library system. After not being able to place a hold on the above item at all, I chatted with a librarian on L-Net and they told me that the MCL copies were missing and then told me how to get it via Interlibrary Loan.
I recently posted about some nice dialog box language I came across and I saw some more today. I’d much rather click on a “Ooh, That Sounds like Fun!” button than one that reads “Register!” That cutesy language, however, might be at the limit for how far it can go without obfuscating the actual purpose of clicking.
The screenshot is from the new Twitter client Tweetie. I debated whether or not I should take the time to post about this nice dialog box but later on in the day I was inspired to whilst attempting to place a reserve on a library item.
I fully realize that I’m being picky and that I’m hyper-aware of this issue, but even though the OPAC asked me to please fill in “ALL” of the info, it almost-but-not-quite-felt like MCL was reprimanding me for not filling something in. It felt more like their choice of message was a lost opportunity to use the situation to make a friend or ally.
Here’s my 3 minute redo which isn’t perfect but does add a nice UX element: an arrow indicating where action is needed.
I love using the Multnomah County Library system. After not being able to place a hold on the above item at all, I chatted with a librarian on L-Net and they told me that the MCL copies were missing and then told me how to get it via Interlibrary Loan.
I don’t speak or read Lithuanian and you probably don’t either. Good thing that nice design transcends language. Take a look at these beautiful sites.
The first image is the homepage of a big Lithuanian library wiki called Grazi tu Mano.
And *this!* This is the start page for a library run Alternate Reality Game called Paskutinis valdovas which makes me really wish I was able to read Lithuanian. The start of the game is a note left for the story’s main character by a girl in the library.
What an inspiration!