Library Systems Thinking
Why We Invest in Libraries Every great library contains a paradox. It is simultaneously a collection of materials in the community and a platform for what it will discover. Systems…
Posted inLibrary Planning Research Space Planning
Collection Planning for Growth, Renewal, and the Digital Future
Collection development is not an acquisition strategy. It is an institutional and organizational commitment. We provide disciplined process aligning what a library holds (capacity to hold) with what its community…
The library that serves its community well in 2026…
The library that serves its community well in 2026 is not the library that was adequate in 1995. It is a modern library whose air quality supports sustained cognitive work,…
Reframe the Situation with Courage
There is a concept that runs through every successful library project I have been part of, though it rarely appears in the programming, technical specification documents, manuals or the space…
The Library as a Lifelong Learning Institution
Library Needs Assessment for Space, Services, and Collections Developing a lifelong learning strategy for a library requires more than a facilities upgrade or a digital subscription package. It demands a…
Posted inLibrary Planning Research Space Planning
Quality Approach to Library Planning
Planning the Academic Library For decades, the question "How many seats should be in an academic library?" has been a cornerstone of library planning. The answer, traditionally, has been derived…
Posted inLibrary Planning Research Space Planning
The Architecture of Knowledge: Library Design Disciplines
A Transformative Analysis of Integrated Library Design Disciplines When I look back at all of our project sheets and past library planning projects, I can see where information flows like…
Posted inLibrary Planning Research
Key Strategies for Modern Library Development
Paradigm Shifts in Libraries Libraries are undergoing a profound transformation, evolving from a focus on physical materials to dynamic hubs for education, learning, collaboration, and community engagement. This evolution demands…
Posted inSpace Planning work in progress
Reimagining the Library: Community-Centered Knowledge Spaces
Understanding the Imperative for Change Libraries stand at a juncture in the road. No longer merely repositories of books, they have evolved into reading rooms and small workspaces where knowledge…
Posted inLibrary Planning Research
Why Strategic Service Planning is Essential Before Fundraising
Strategic service planning serves as the critical foundation for successful library fundraising for several interconnected reasons: Alignment with Fundraising Timelines The timeline mismatch makes planning crucial. Once a library identifies a…