Posts Tagged design library future
the language of library space
Posted by acohen in Library Planning Research, Social Library Issues, Space Planning on December 20th, 2011
A recent article from Inside Higher Education focuses on the need to balance quiet and active spaces in the library. Project Information Literacy study found that students minimize technology use and try to unplug from their overly distracting social networks when working on projects or studying for exams.
During our library planning studies, we have found that all libraries need environments that allow for social, group and individual study. The library plan should include:
According to “The Future of the Academic Library Symposium: Bridging the Gap, Libraries – “need to be in a state of perpetual beta to effect change.” We believe libraries need to experiment with both quiet and active space.
The University of North Carolina started a Journal of Learning Spaces that is a good place to start an analysis of library space needs. We recommend the journal as a starting point for discussion.
Future of Librarianship
Posted by acohen in Library Planning Research, Social Library Issues, Space Planning on May 27th, 2011
The Taiga Forum developed a framework for the challenges that librarians will face in the future. The strategy developed by the group echo’s our research i.e. the changing status of library professionals and collaborative space partners.
Our work focuses on the challenges outlined by the Taiga group. For example, as higher education and its’ organization flattens, radical cooperation will be possible. We have developed learning centers with IT Help-desks, Math labs and English tutoring capabilities. We have developed flexible learning spaces that reflect the different possible activities that can take place in the library.