Nature Exploration Laboratory: An Extension of a Zoo Library

Holly Birk

LIS 654-03

April 9, 2014

Need & Concept

Zoos evolved from centers of amusement and entertainment to centers of education and conservation

Zoo libraries need to evolve and embrace modern initiatives in order to better engage zoo visitors

Traditional zoo library typically supports research needs of curators and zookeepers

Proposal is for extension of traditional zoo library to provide interactive and educational experiences for zoo visitors

User Community Elementary and middle school

children visiting the zoo and interested in learning about natural sciences

School field trip groups, summer camp groups, scout groups, and 4-H club groups

Families with young children interested in family programming activities offered at the zoo

Potential partnerships with local schools, other zoos and aquariums, and youth groups

Space Design New building attached to existing zoo library

Green architecture with energy-saving design, rain garden, indoor plants, and built with recycled materials

Large, efficient windows and skylight with ultraviolet filtering for more natural light

Outdoor garden for educational purposes

Nature-inspired furniture and wall décor

Demonstration room for labs, classes, speakers, and animal visits

Space Inspirations

Technology Design Tabletop computers providing interactive access to animal

information guides and zoo library catalog

Large touchscreen video wall displaying educational videos, quizzes, and games for multiple users

Interactive led map allowing user to view animal ranges, biomes, and climate trends

Sound-isolated listening pods providing space for user to experience audio and visual media collection of zoo animals

GPS-enabled, zoo member mobile app that provides enhanced information on zoo exhibits and animals and ties in with zoo library catalog

Technology Inspirations

Nature Exploration Laboratory

IMAGES & Inspiration SourcesSlide 1:

http://infotech4you.com/?p=2197

Slide 2:

http://theboweryboys.blogspot.com/2011/08/coney-island-unveils-new-alternative-to.htmlhttp://www.zoochat.com/622/quarters-conservation-new-2011-a-243586/http://tinyteds.blogspot.com/2011/08/zoo-adventure.html

Slide 3: Bjõrk, Christina, and Lena Anderson (Illustrator). Linnea’s Almanac. Stockholm: R & S Books, 1982. Print.http://everydayadventure11.blogspot.com/2011/11/10-reasons-why-reading-is-important-for.html

Slide 5: Fox, B. (2010, Fall). Librarians’ Picks [Supplemental material]. Library Journal .

http://www.arkansasbusiness.com/article/96000/new-childrens-library-offers-much-potential-for-little-rock-quality-of-life-winner-20000?page=all

http://www.nl.sg/NLWEB.portal?_cn_nodePath=NL/VisitUs/NLSBuilding&_nfpb=true&_cn_bookLevel=1&_cn_bookTitle1=Visit+Us&_pageLabel=NL_CMSPage1&_cn_pageTitle=NLS+Buildinghttp://www.minnpost.com/books/2011/04/bigger-better-more-beautiful-renovated-nokomis-library-reopens-april-30

Slide 7:http://libguides.nybg.org/raingardens

http://jpbloggerfan.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/library-books-an-endangered-species/http://www.airlinetrends.com/2010/02/25/jcdecaux-microsoft-surface-heathrow/

http://strategy.directimages.com/blog/bid/301276/NAB-2013-Report-on-Video-Production-Trendshttp://www.bookofjoe.com/2010/10/worlds-first-stick-in-led-maps.html

http://macaulaylibrary.org/search?taxon=Otariidae&taxon_id=10530468&taxon_rank_id=55&tab=videohttp://www.zoo.org/app#.U0D8GFf2-f8

Images used in Nature Exploration Laboratory rendering:http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/3d-plant-potted/655381http://www.ecvv.com/product/3922426.htmlhttp://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/tree-topiary-sketchup-3d-3ds/653655

http://www.cgtrader.com/3d-models/architectural-interior/other/photorealistic-room

http://www.formfonts.com/3D-Model/1/12763/1/life-forms/h30-plants/potted-ficus-config/http://www.pcworld.com/product/1253359/ideacentre-horizon-cart.htmlhttp://www.bibliocad.com/library/modern-chair-3d_32699http://charactercollective.com/products/3d-child-cc12-0800http://doorstoreandwindows.com/doors/http://www.windowbox.com/window-boxes-planters.html

http://i00.i.aliimg.com/photo/v1/633893920/Hotel_Atrium_Glass_Skylight_Design.jpghttp://susybee.com/gallery/animals/http://susybee.com/

Demonstration Room inspired by: A.V. Symington Storytime Room at Rust Library

Green architecture inspired by: National Library in Singapore and Hillary Rodham Clinton Children’s Library

Animal information guides inspired by: the Luesther T. Mertz Library at The New York Botanical Garden

Tabletop computers and video wall inspired by: The James B. Hunt Library at North Carolina State University

Listening pods inspired by: Delft Public Library

Audio and visual media collection of animals inspired by: Macaulay Library at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Zoo mobile app inspired by: Woodland Park Zoo