Fitting facilities for today's library users

Singapore Management University

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Fitting facilities for today’s library usersJanine Schmidt,Director, Mukurta Consulting [email protected] andTrenholme Director of Libraries Emerita, McGill University

March 2012

mailto:[email protected]


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Overview•Changing user needs•Library design traditions•Design approaches

▫Planning strategies▫Space layout – seating, collections, service

points▫Ambience▫Signage and wayfinding

March 2012

http://www.decomodes.com/architecture/almere-library-with-contemporary-design-in-netherland-by-concrete-architectural-associates/attachment/contemporary-library-by-concrete-architectural-associates/


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The changing context• It’s an Amazoogle cloudy, mobile, visual, wireless world - In Google

we trust– 40 languages,2.7 billion searches per day• Disruptive technology. Smart phones, laptops, netbooks, I-Pads,

tablets, multiple e-readers, androids, apps for everything, large-scale printers

• Social media, blogs, mash-ups. Dominance of Facebook, Twitter. Constantly connected, but connecting?

• Real and virtual resources, print, multiple formats, visual media, i-tunes, e-books outselling real books, e-journals, Googlebooks, YouTube, FlickR, DOD and POD

• Open access, copyright? Democratization of knowledge. Everyone is an expert

• E-research/Interdisciplinary/trans-disciplinary/translational• Accountability/Quality/Performance/Spiralling costs/Shrinking

incomes• New ways of doing business for libraries e.g. Collection profiles,

licensing issues, bundling

March 2012


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Library users•Teaching, research, professional and

clerical staff•Graduate and undergraduate students•Alumni, community•Seek inspiration, solitude, company, solace,

information•Watch movies, listen to podcasts, read and

review resources, chat with friends, family, teaching staff and complete strangers

•Plug in, power up, prowl the internet

March 2012


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Library users• “Look up” rather than “view in depth” – power

browsers, tapping and swiping• Collaborate on projects• Research problems• Upload/download data, using laptops,

desktops, smart hand-held devices • Create presentations and projects individually

or with others• Use specialist software/apps• Exchange information via SMS, email and

social media like Facebook and Twitter

March 2012


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User behaviour• Doing academic work with or around their friends or

classmates• Making extensive use of technology and digital content• Focusing on their academic work late at night and into

early morning (could be any time within a 24 hour period)• Relating to one another mediated by digital technologies,

social networking media • Accessing and using information to create new knowledge

and art forms• Socialising and learning at the same time• Blending formal and informal learning experiences

March 2012

Lippincott, Joan K.” Information Commons: meeting Millennials’ needs”. Journal of Library Administration, 50 (1), January 2010.


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Today’s screenager• Reads 8 books per year, 2300 web pages, 1281 facebook

profiles• Completes 49% of materials on reading lists• Writes 42 pages for class, 500 pages e-mail• Spends 3.5 hours online, 1.5 hours watching TV, 2.5

hours listening to music, 2 hours on mobile phone, 2 hours working, 2 hours eating, 3 hours in class, 3 hours studying and 7 hours sleeping (26.5 hours - multitasking)

• Facebooks through class

• (A Vision of Students Today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o.

Michael Wesch and his class, Kansas State University)

March 2012

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGCJ46vyR9o

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User perspectives (McGill)

March 2012


Undergraduate perspective

Faculty perspective

Graduate student perspective


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User perspectives (Özyegin University)• Talk with friends in the library when they want

to without feeling inhibited• Socialise in the library• Eat and drink when they feel like it• Work in quiet spaces when they want to and

need to• Work in groups in group study rooms• Store personal belongings• Use mobile phones any time and anyplace• Use the library any time, i.e. 24 hour access

and even sleep there

March 2012


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Digital natives

•Digital natives http://youtu.be/7_zzPBbXjWs

•Game players•Combine work and play •Collaborators•Competent technically but experience

difficulty finding information•Need help and reassurance•Learn from doing

March 2012

http://youtu.be/7_zzPBbXjWs


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Value of libraries for research and researchers• Procures research material and facilitates easy access and

discovery of research material• Offers a physical space – to work in, to access research

material, to access specialists• Provides induction and training programs to develop research

skills• Provides specialists who have subject and information

expertise to help with problems• Provides information and advice (online and face-to-face)• Provides a named point of contact• Digitises important research collections• Libraries are a physical manifestation of the values of

the academy and of scholarship

March 2012

Research Libraries UK. Value of libraries for research and researchers. http://www.rluk.ac.uk/content/value-libraries-research-and-researchers and http://www.rluk.ac.uk/files/Value%20of%20Libraries%20TG_0.pdf Viewed 24th January, 2012

http://www.rluk.ac.uk/content/value-libraries-research-and-researchers

http://www.rluk.ac.uk/files/Value%20of%20Libraries%20TG_0.pdf


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Redefining the academic library• Users go elsewhere for information• No need for traditional librarians• Space for more than just books• Evolving metrics aligned with value• Academic libraries will never beat Google• Users switching faster than librarians• Library as a social learning space• Increasing and conflicting demands• Should libraries do everything, straddling two

eras?

March 2012

University Leadership Council. Redefining the academic library: managing the migration to digital library services. 2011. http://www.educationadvisoryboard.com/pdf/23634-EAB-Redefining-the-Academic-Library.pdf. Viewed 8th January, 2012

http://www.educationadvisoryboard.com/pdf/23634-EAB-Redefining-the-Academic-Library.pdf


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How do people see the Library?• Custodian of books and other information resources – a book

place - old stuff, new stuff• Friendly people providing help in doing assignments, solving

problems, finding work solutions, doing research, staying up to date,, gaining a skill, learning something new …

• Source of expertise and training in information access and use• Provider of infotainment• Pleasant relaxing place, sanctuary and quiet place for reflection,

inspiration, reading, learning …• Place to meet people, collaborate with others, eat, drink• Supplier of electronic information• Website guiding information access and use• Link to other information suppliers• Supplier of interlibrary loans• Irrelevant

March 2012


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User wants and needs• Abundant technology, including sophisticated printing

and multimedia facilities, fixed computers, ubiquitous power and wireless communication, laptop facilities

• Open environment for social engagement• Functional inspiring space (including traditional

displays of print even though print is less used)• Extended opening hours• Segregated study areas with individual silent study

spaces and group study collaborative learning spaces• Large tables and desks• Comfortable chairs• Appropriate seating for computers and desks

March 2012


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User wants and needs• “Green” and “sustainable”• Training rooms • Colour and plenty of light, including natural lighting• Welcoming entrance• Attractive and friendly ambience including art

works• Specialized spaces for graduate study with

additional facilities e.g. Coffee, printing, lockable storage

• Easy wayfinding and clear signage• Availability of additional student services

March 2012


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User wants and needs

•Coffee and snacks•Self-service e.g. Borrowing•Ongoing maintenance and cleanliness•More space•Easily located personal help•Library is part of the University brand•Books are part of the Library brand

March 2012

http://charnigo.files.wordpress.com/2010/02/sdc12599.jpg


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In the beginning….March 2012

(http://www.cartridgesave.co.uk/news/the-7-most-impressive-libraries-from-throughout-history/)


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Library design traditions • Collection-centered • Located near users – branch libraries• Archives, museum, library combinations• Public, private, royal• Owner/donor/funding authority/architect driven• Form/function/edifice complex/monuments• Literacy/Scholars/Educational role • Dominated by product and process• Spaces and collections based on library

generated rules/formulae• Learning spaces

March 2012


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New(er) design approaches

• Learning space/commons• Knowledge mall/incubator• Computer clubhouse• Cyberspace• Information centre/place, I-place, I-space• Resource Centre • Social network• Community hub• Learning hub• People place • Urban information bar• Integrated with other services

March 2012


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Learning space• We learn

▫ From each other – peer to peer - collaborative▫ From experts - didactic▫ Through engagement and involvement – projects▫ Reflective – reading, writing, feedback▫ Skills, knowledge – how to and what

• Pedagogy – independent, self-directed, unstructured, structured, interactive, case studies, problem-based, group work

• Lifelong learning, distance learning, • Learning management systems, use of technology• Competency framework• Linked to support and advisory services

March 2012


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Sources of inspiration• Markets, Villages• Agora• Restaurants• Shopping malls, department stores, specialist

stores (music, videos, bookshops)• The Apple stores • Airport lounges• Entertainment venues• Parklands, commons, community gathering spaces• Theatres, galleries, museums• Other libraries

March 2012


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The Apple store March 2012


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Sources of inspiration

March 2012


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Sources of inspiration• Future of the library http://youtu.be/asYUI0l6EtE

March 2012

http://youtu.be/asYUI0l6EtE


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Grand Reading Room, Mansueto Library, University of Chicago

Macquarie University Library, Sydney

Sources of inspiration

March 2012

University of Aberdeen

http://news.lib.uchicago.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/StudentsDomeReg.jpg


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Planning strategies• Obtain client views• Develop concept brief and prototype. Master plan? • Find the best, replicate, steal ideas shamelessly• Define functions, ensure form follows function and

fits environment• Focus on flexibility, the future, sustainability,

maintenance• Support extended hours, security, occupational

health and safety• Find the “right” architect, interior designer• Form an advisory group

March 2012


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Space layout• Get the entry visible and in the right place• Transition – on the way to… and from …• Learning/study spaces – individual/group• Self-service cf. supermarkets

▫ Loans, reserve collections, room bookings• Specialist facilities for differently-abled• Auditorium/classroom• Gathering points/open space• Exhibition/display/gallery• Café/restaurant• Storage (chairs etc)• Meeting rooms/collaborative spaces• Seating/collections/service points

March 2012


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Monash University (Melbourne)

March 2012


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Monash University (Melbourne)

March 2012


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Seating• Silent/ quiet/active• Group study

▫Separate rooms/pods▫Banquettes/booths▫E-classrooms

• Specialist accommodation for graduates/Friends etc• Carrels/tables, separated by low/high dividers in

perspex/opaque• Use of ottomans and “perching” space –not intended

for lengthy periods of use• Casual/comfortable/shaped seating• Chairs (casters?)/high/low/ergonomic

March 2012


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Bond University (Gold Coast, Queensland)

March 2012


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Collections

•Integrated – avoid separation by size, format etc

•Automated retrieval •Adjacent to seating, desks?•All material in open access?•Discard/retire little used collections – all

print low use•Low shelving in public spaces•Compact shelving in open access•Avoid kick stools – fixed stool with long

handle

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Bond University (Gold Coast, Queensland)

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Service points

•Near entry but not too near•Adjacent to collections•Adjacent to computers•Integrated single service point? HELP of

all kinds•Sit down/stand up•Integrate some elements of self-service?•Desks/roving staff

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McGill University (Montreal, Canada)

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University of New South Wales (Sydney)March 2012


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University of New South Wales (Sydney)

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The technology• Fixed computers

▫ Standing room only▫ In rooms/on desks

• Laptops/e-book devices/Ipods/IPads – loan• Power points everywhere for plug in laptops/charging• Large screens near entry for

messaging/communication/interactivity• Power to desks/tables• Scanners, printers, high end multimedia• Maximize use of mobile devices• Wireless• Servers • Production facilities

March 2012


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McGill University (Montreal,

Canada)

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Ambience• Quiet, relaxing… vibrant• Colour – themed • Plants – “green”, encourage appropriate client behaviour• Lighting - on shelves/desks, up-lighting• Use of fabrics and furniture• Art works• Eating? Drinking? Approved cup• Materials used e.g. timber, glass• Flooring – carpet tiles, timber, vinyl etc.• Soundproofing• Student initiated recycling program

▫ In collaboration with Facilities, University Services and Library▫ Removed all garbage bins▫ Train students in recycling

• WOW factor

March 2012


University of Queensland (Ipswich campus)

March 2012

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Signage and wayfindingMarch 2012

• Going to …/At…• Badge and brand

everything• Use screens• Language• Colour coding• Consistency• Avoid jargon• Signage cannot

correct planning errors

• Manners – please/NO…


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SignageMarch 2012


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Signage

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Library design showcase themes 2011 (Library Journal)•Enhanced functionality•Material matters•Sustainable construction•Navigation and colour•Reclamation and renovation•Design details•Outdoor connections•Community living rooms

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Some trends

•Flexible for an uncertain future•Fewer and smaller service desks, multi-

purpose, mobile•Self-service•Minimalist•Fads and fashions•Invigorating a community•Location, location, location...•Seriously interesting - WOW

March 2012


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Queensland University of Technology

March 2012


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More trends

•Renovation – from eyesore to eye catcher•Community hub matching community

expectations•Importance of design briefs, planning and

preparation - the generic design brief is the little black dress of library design

•Branding – consistency of messages •Opportunity to change service delivery,

improve productivity, provide 24/7

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More trends• Front facing shelving, slat walls, end panels

(messages/decorative)• Mobile everything, folding tables, wheels on

counters/desks/shelving• Staff amenities, cafes• Support efficiency and productivity as well as

client-focused layout• Large “big and bold” professional signs• Look afresh at familiar environment,

photograph it• One size does not fit all

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Acknowledgements

•Colleagues at Bond University, Monash University, McGill University, Queensland University of Technology, University of New South Wales, University of Queensland ….everywhere

•Hamilton Wilson from Wilson Architects, and many others….

•People who are passionate about library design

•Library users who provided the best ideas

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Questions and discussion

March 2012