A little while ago, PSFK pointed to the beautiful redesign of a library in Almere, The Netherlands. The new library takes many design cues from retail bookstores. For example, the architectural firm behind the redesign
rethought how the books were to be displayed and abandoned the traditional linear shelves packed with books only showing the spines. [...] Duplicate copies of titles are stacked vertically. Customers can grab a copy from the top without other titles falling over which happens in traditional shelving.
And that got us thinking about the future of public library design. How will libraries of the future adapt to the changing needs and desires of the public? What happens to the physical space of a library as its holdings become increasingly digital?
To find out, Nora talked to Gerry Meek from the Calgary Public Library. A shorter version of this interview will air on Spark 117, but you can hear the full, uncut interview below, or download the MP3. [runs 15:24]
Play audio:
As part of the show, we’re also hoping to include your thoughts on what you’d like to see in a library of the future. Leave your comments below, or dial 1-877-34-SPARK (1-877-347-7275 toll free in Canada).
And, if you like hearing these extended interviews, why not subscribe to Spark Plus? You’ll get regular weekly episodes, plus additional blog-only content like this. [Subscribe via RSS] or [Subscribe with iTunes]
[Original image by westher]
Great article! Check it out #library people!
Calgary's silver-haired fox also has a silver tongue! What a great interview! He has done the Canadian library community proud with his comments that portray libraries today as the modern, accessible, and inclusive instituions they are – Thank you!
I haven't listened to the interview yet, but the blog title caught my eye and I found myself truly, truly hoping that Gerry Meek has a blog named Merry Geek.
Awesome interview. Gerry did an excellent job of explaining to the public what experiences they can have in a public library. It makes me proud to be part of the library community.
Habberfield
I enjoyed this interview, and believe it will be well-received by my American and Canadian friends who also love libraries as I do.
My city now finally has a great library: The Bibliotheque Nationale. It’s one of the best places in the city. Accessible archives are really fun. And the great exhibitions they curate from the archives are really interesting.
In my mind libraries should really be helping people understand copyright and creative commons esp re:collections and ideas and technology. Even in the forward thinking Bibliotheque Nationale all they do is police you from ripping CDs on site. It would be great if they went further than that.
"All they do is stop you from ripping CDs on site" Tell me how can a library operate without the materials such as CDs, books etc.? How can we go any further if we don't have anything on the shelves?
Thanks for this, Nora. Hopefully Guelph city council is listening. exhibit A: http://news.guelphmercury.com/News/Local/article/…
Wow, Gary Meek is pretty slick! He had a message to get out and I guess it got out…but his description of libraries and librarianship is so sweet and idealistic I actually struggled to find anything solid and real in what he’s saying here.
Public libraries are under attack in many places, as is librarianship as a profession. We have had a series of pretty public failures, and have been shown up repeatedly by high tech start ups. It’s a little bizarre to hear an interview about the challenges facing public libraries in a digital age that doesn’t mention…well, the challenges facing public libraries in a digital age.
I’m sorry to say that my library doesn’t quantify its progress by counting smiles, and I’m afraid I don’t know of any libraries that do.
Nora, have you talked to Beth Jefferson of Bibliocommons? I don’t remember whether I’ve heard her on your program before…
Library of the future: I think search has been ripped from our fingers by Google and Co., and while I think librarians will continue to fight the battle on search (come to us to help you search, we are the experts on searching!), I think the library of the future should probably focus on curated collections of all kinds. Collecting published works is easy! How about other kinds of information/documents/media? The Library of Congress took a bold move forward by opting to archive tweets, which I think was an excellent decision. There's a long history of debate about archiving blogs, and that's probably one that needs to keep going.
Personally I'd like to see libraries go the direction of providing tools and help to create content rather than merely consuming it. Create and distribute content. Essentially become a publisher of content rather than just a warehouse for it.
One of the things public libraries could engage in is hyperlocal information gathering and dissemination. (Or Hyperlocal Journalism.) They could act as the space in which local knowledge, news, events, etc. could be housed and searched. Community portals, shall we say. These are difficult to do, but based on what Gary Meek said, librarians should have the skills to do this. Help people learn how to use technology in order to connect and share with each other. It's another way to curate, I'd say.
I find that idea of libraries as resources for publishing intriguing, Rochell. Is this something that's being discussed in the broader librarian community?
Yes, in academic libraries at least: scholarly communication, digital humanities, open access journals. The open access movement contains a series of different options for publishing creative commons style academic research, ways to reduce the cost of publishing…libraries are part of that conversation.
Since the distinction between distribution and publication is so hazy these days, libraries are caught right there on that shaky line, in my opinion.
Interesting; thanks!
A great interview. There's alot about what he says that applies beyond public libraries to academia and special libraries as well. I don't think the search is dead – not at all – but what we do is teach specialized searching to people who need those skills, or we do it for them because they don't have the time. In health care, specialized search skills are desperately needed. And creating, facilitating the creation of, and maintaining that local content – I think that is a big part of where the future is – in a public library or a private organization. The other part of this piece is helping connect those smaller collections to larger ones, facilitating knowledge exchange, translation and transfer. Librarians haven't been as big a part of that discussion as we should be.
I really liked his definition of literacy in it's broadest form. You know, in Nova Scotia we have gotten rid of teacher librarians in the schools – too bad, especially now. Information literacy is a massively under appreciated skill, and so needed today. No one thinks about information in quite the same way librarians do – a massively broad statement, but I think largely true.
It is a fantastic time to be in this profession. Thanks for the show!
The local county public library <a href="http://(http://www.pcpls.lib.in.us)” target=”_blank”>(http://www.pcpls.lib.in.us) where I live has adapted well to the digital world. Our public library system has a computer lab for public access to the Internet, as well as wi-fi access at all branches. We still have traditional bookshelves, meeting rooms, a geneological section, a book store (for raising funds), and shelving for audio CDs, DVDs, a few cassettes and video tapes.
So what would we see in a library of the future? I have already seen it some of it here.
I have been to the Calgary Public Library site, and one thing I wish we could get here is a online library (i.e. the e-Library section at the CPL site).
As for the experience, it is quite open as to the concept of sharing of information (as in Creative Commons), yet keep in compliance with copyright laws. (This is because patrons are responsible for such compliance.)
I agree with Gary Meek that public libraries need to develop the various literacies. Most Canadian libraries are doing that already.
I come from London Ontario where in the 1970s the public library system set up 2 test libraries called Resource Centres. Today our Resource Centres have morphed into (take a look): http://www.crouchonline.org/about-us/index.html
http://www.londonarts.ca/Default.aspx?Select=Venu…
I am proud to be a past president of this organization. The heart of the community: designing with the community: that's what we did and will continue to do.
Libraries now and of the future are active busy places inclusive of all groups and individuals. Each library space often links with special needs for each community within the larger city community. The digital libraries, online services and onsite services have extended the library into the various communities.
I live in Cheongju, South Korea and I'm still trying to find the local library. They have just built a new one and I'm eager to compare Canadian and Korean library spaces. More another day. When I come back from my Canadian vacation next fall.
Liz Bailey, MLIS, Professor of English Conversation, Cheongju University
I'm a new librarian and I enjoyed this interview and I'm very happy that Spark brought the topic to the airwaves. One highlight for me was Mr. Meek's mention of the need for a technology-free spaces in libraries. We need to be reminded to take a break from our computers and hand-held devices, and most of us already know that technology is an area in which libraries continue to develop greatly already.
It seems to me that public libraries of the future will continue to do what they always have done, that is adapting to needs and approaches of consumers of information and culture. The problem is that the majority of the general public do not realize that the libraries offers anything more than books or DVDs for 2-3 week borrowing periods. It's a challenge to attract busy people to participate in the often very dynamic and relevant programs/lectures and workshops that public libraries offer. Good libraries have workshops on smart internet searching and other ICT -related skills and they put on engaging events (examples: "how to eat local year-round" or host discussions about specific topics, such as current events, or talks about particular books, music, or film.)
I also agree with Rochelle as I think that part of this ongoing adaptation must be to offer assistance and guidance in creating content and not only consuming it.
Thanks for reminding the public about their libraries!
I like the idea of technology free zones in public libraries. While my local county library system has wi-fi access, in addition to a computer lab with Linux-based machines (I was absolutely pleased to see this as the county saves $500,000 USD in licensing fees per year by using Linux instead of Windows XP, which was previously installed on the machines). The technology free aspect we have here is a strict policy banning the use of cellular phones in the library. This includes the iPhone and other smart phones.
What a great idea, banning smart phones! I sure hope that extends to iPads, laptops, writing pads, iPods, record players, CD players, cassette tape players, ebook readers, and books. Oh, I'm forgetting pencils, crayons, erasers. Hmmm, let's see, how about pacemakers, respirators, buttons, zippers, gromits, machine-made clothing.
Come on! What a sure-fire way to alienate a large portion of the public. As David Lankes recently said, "Libraries are where librarians are, and not necessarily in a building". Since technology has freed people to access information and create content wherever they are, denying them that means they will go elsewhere. …and people wonder why libraries and (some, most?) librarians are in crisis…
Bravo – Enlightening… yet Gutenberg & Google are still it… but then the neighbourhood needs a library!
I wish Gerry had addressed the future design of the Calgary Public Library's central branch. They have a lovely web site with all sorts of grand plans (http://calgarylandmarklibrary.com), but if you read the fine print, there doesn't seem to be a firm funding commitment for building it. In FAQs, it states: "Preliminary planning is complete, and the project is ready to move ahead pending further funding commitments. It will take approximately two years to design, and three years to build. It is our goal to mark the 100th anniversary of Calgary Public Library in 2012 with a new Central Library in the works! " Well, it's now 2011, and there doesn't seem to be any concrete plan for a new library to be "in the works" by 2012. I think Gerry and CPL have done a good job of advocating and promoting their plan, but for some reason it just doesn't get traction at City Hall.
I ejoyed the presentation by Gerry. This information is useful as we work towards building a new library in the City of Windsor. It is also helpful to know the global prespective of the future direction of libraries as we plan programs and attempt to meet the needs of all of our customers. As a border city which serves many New Canadians and an increase in the number of the aging population, this information is helpful in accessing how we can meet the needs of that audience while also attracting youth and young adults.