University Librarian's Reflections

Aaron Cohen Associates, Ltd. (ACA) is an interdisciplinary library planning firm founded in 1972. Their consultants “specialize in library space planning and design, whether for a new building project, reorganization effort or renovation of existing space.” Who are these folks exactly? Professional library planners, librarians, architects, interior designers and organizational management consultants are some of the folks ACA employs. In a nutshell, their team “promotes and develops the functional building blocks for modern library spaces. “[1]

A recent blog post speaks to the service desk as an important element in the design of a future library. I was skeptical at first. I mean, are we back to the future or what?  However, ACA is not about going two steps back and then two to the side, and finally, two forward. Consider this,

The library of the future can have a service desk that is flexible – one that is rolled in and out as required. The configuration can allow additional staff to surge into the space when it is busy, using ipads, pedestal seats or roving and card swipes. [2]

It all circles back to the friction problem. If you share my initial skepticism, here’s more - -

“The design of a traditional information desk can create friction, limiting the flow into the library. The friction can reduce the effectiveness of the entry and the lobby. According to the Technology’s Friction Problem by David Pogue, ‘Friction is a hassle. steps. process. And in this increasingly technified world, there is still a su[r]prising amount of red tape.’ He goes on to state, ‘lowering friction doesn’t just mean more transactions. It means more of any behavior you’re trying to encourage.’”

Librarians who work hard to make self service a priority understand that processing materials efficiently is important. However, there are other groups that confuse tradition with friction. They want the community to work closely with their staff. They believe the tried and true service desk is the answer.”

Given this perspective, what do you think? Is The service desk an important element in your library today? Should it be an important element in the design of a future library? What do you believe - - is it a functional element that enhances the space and the service? Or a dysfunctional element that detracts from resourceful space utilization and the provision of quality service?

Many moons ago, Steven Bell and I were opposing debate partners, sparring on the future of the reference desk. Bell currently serves as Associate University Librarian for Research & Instructional Services at Temple University's Paley Library, a position he has held since 2007. If you are interested in designing better libraries and the broader challenge of keeping up, Bell is someone to listen to. In May 2011, he was also elected Vice-President/President Elect of the Association of College and Research Libraries.

One step forward, two to the side, and two forward. The shuffle, oops, I meant the dance, continues.

Academic library close-up - - what do your students need and deserve? Do you know? Assuming you value this question, and assuming you and I are on the same page re: building the academic library for the future, how are you trying to find out?

Academic librarians could learn from the New York Public Library’s Reimagining programs. Wait. Whoa. You haven’t heard of NYPL’s system-wide initiative to enhance New York City’s neighborhood libraries as “vibrant, active community centers”? Here it is in a nutshell - -

NYPL is reimagining its libraries for the future…open, active, and democratic hubs where New Yorkers of all ages and all backgrounds can come together to find inspiration, create new ideas, and forge communities.[1]

As part of this initiative NYPL is planning to launch several pilot programs to expand educational programming for both children and adults.“Called Achieve @ NYPL, these pilots — developed as a result of extensive research and analysis of local community needs and Library resources — mark the launch of a dedicated effort to expand NYPL’s audience and positively influence the lives of all New Yorkers”[2]

Four planned pilots include 1) expanding a current pilot partnership between NYPL and the New York City Department of Education (DOE) to create a fully integrated online catalog; 2) creating “Extended Learning Time @ NYPL,” or after-school homework-help zones at branches; 3) expanding public technology access and training; and 4)  expanding NYPL’s Literacy Services. More information on the pilots can be found at http://www.nypl.org/yourlibrary/programs (accessed 31 March 2012).

It is not my purpose here to suggest that academic libraries adopt or adapt any of these planned pilots.  However, I do suggest that we could learn from NYPL’s approach. There are four features of this approach that I respect in particular. First, Reimagining is a system-wide dedicated effort powered by extensive research and analysis of local community needs and library resources. Second, the effort is powered by a genuine commitment to engage stakeholders in the conversation about NYPL’s plan to build the Library for the Future. The two other features of NYPL’s approach that I respect include the initiative’s clearly intentional alignment with NYPL’s three-fold emphasis to discover/get inspired/connect, and its tie-in to other NYPL happenings. I have no doubt that NYPL is well on its way to expanding its audience and positively influencing the lives of all New Yorkers.

Oh, by the way, for readers who have a soft spot in their hearts, as I do, for the landmark StephenA. Schwarzman Building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street in Manhattan, stay calm! In the coming years, NYPL will reimagine the landmark building graced by Patience and Fortitude, the iconic pair of marble lions that stand proudly before the majestic Beaux-Arts building at Fifth Avenue and 42nd Street.[3] Ambitious plans to create the largest combined research and circulating library in the country are nicely integrated with the major plan for the future envisioned for NYPL’s 91 locations across the Bronx, Manhattan, and Staten Island.

To best appreciate the riff that follows, I suggest you spend a few minutes with Will Manley - - http://willmanley.com/2012/03/22/will-unowund-715-the-library-of-the-future-is-wherever-you-want-it-to-be/ (accessed 28 March 2012).

Many of us in libraries have either heard Manley speak at library conferences or know him personally or virtually. Quoting from his bio[1], Manley,” a trustee for the Livermore (CA) Public Library, is the author of nine books on the lighter side of librarianship, Manley has published over 600 magazine articles.  He currently writes the “Manley Arts” column in Booklist and the “Will’s World” column every month in the ALA’s American Libraries Magazine.” 

“Will Unwound” contains his rants, raves and reflections, and is fun, if not generally provocative, reading. WILL UNWOUND #715 explores the library of the future. The exploration begins with nook and cranny stories - - I know, makes no sense, right? But, as I suggested, to best appreciate the riff here, you might want to spend a few minutes with Manley, as per the link above. Manley’s take away from this story swap is this - - that the library of the future is wherever you want it to be. He writes

“Think about it.  My guess is that right now the newest Nooks and Kindles allow you to store several hundred books.  But that’s just your base library.  What you can archive in the cloud is pretty much unlimited.  So you’ve got a library in your backpack and it will go wherever you want it to go.”

And he continues, circling back to his original question - -

“So let’s rephrase that original question from ‘What is your favorite nook or cranny in a library to read a book” to “What is your favorite nook or cranny in the big wide world where you can take your library?’”

Hardly one to be shy, he picks up the gauntlet - -

“•On cold, wintry days, I’ll take the fireplace in the Ahwahnee Lodge in Yosemite.

•On cozy spring evenings, how about a coffee shop in Harvard Square.

•On warm summer mornings, I’m thinking about Maine.

•On bright autumnal afternoons Taos is where I want to be.”

Following Will’s lead, I’ll go next - -

•On cold, wintry days, I’ll take a cabin at Snow Creek  in Mammoth, CA.

•On cozy spring evenings, I’ll pull up a chair in Peet’s on Larchmont in Los Angeles.

•On warm summer mornings, I’ll beam myself back to the Berkshires, close to my New England roots.

•On bright autumnal afternoons Northfield, MA is where I want to be.

Readers one and all, have fun with this! Personally, I’m finding comfort in Manley’s suggestion that the library of the future is wherever you want it to be.

For academic library types  (me included, of course), do you think our students would agree? And, if so, how would they answer this round of questions?

Paul Adalian, Dean of the Hannon Libraryat Southern Oregon University[1]spoke about libraries on Feburary 24, 2012. The event was a community breakfast planned and sponsored by the Institutional Positioning Committee of the SOU President’s Advisory Board. Adalian posited two questions - - “What Can Libraries Do for Us in the 21st Century?” and “What’s the role of a university library now that we have Google?” BTW, SOU is a public liberal arts university in the West - - different but not so very much, from UNCW. SOU promises a campus experience students won’t find elsewhere. But I digress. You can read about the event and Adalian’s remarks here,   http://news.sou.edu/president/ (accessed 5 March 2012).

Meantime, as you are sipping your vente- no- foam- extra- hot- latte- with- whole milk, contemplating pre-ordering Bruce Springsteen’s new CD “Wrecking Ball,” bring yourself back to earth and consider how you would answer these questions - -

“What Can Libraries Do for Us in the 21st Century?”

and

“What’s the role of a university library now that we have Google?”

By the way, “Wrecking Ball” streaming for free all day today and tomorrow on www.brucespringsteen.net.

Adalian posited two questions - - “What Can Libraries Do for Us in the 21st Century?” and “What’s the role of a university library now that we have Google?” BTW, SOU is a public liberal arts university in the West - - different but not so very much, from UNCW. SOU promises a campus experience students won’t find elsewhere. But I digress. You can read about the event and Adalian’s remarks here,   http://news.sou.edu/president/ (accessed 5 March 2012).

Meantime, as you are sipping your vente- no- foam- extra- hot- latte- with- whole milk, contemplating pre-ordering Bruce Springsteen’s new CD “Wrecking Ball,” bring yourself back to earth and consider how you would answer these   questions - -

“What Can Libraries Do for Us in the 21st Century?”  

and

“What’s the role of a university library now that we have Google?”

By the way, “Wrecking Ball” is streaming for free all day today and tomorrow on www.brucespringsteen.net.