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…
Posted inLibrary Planning Research
Library Study by Clarivate (pulse review)
According to the Pulse of the Library by Clarivate, 67% of libraries globally are exploring or implementing artificial intelligence—a modest increase from 63% in 2024—the data reveals a complex story…
Posted inLibrary Planning Research
Communities of practice (CoPs) for Libraries
Integrating Communities of Practice (CoPs) into library space planning and design methodology can significantly enhance the effectiveness and relevance of the library environment. Fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and…
Future-making in the Present
What if your library became the place where your organization's future is invented daily? What if, instead of housing yesterday's knowledge, it generated tomorrow's breakthroughs? These questions, posed by Schmidt…
