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On the 20th July I embarked upon a Chartership visit to two university libraries. I have been a user of academic libraries but always worked in the public library domain so was very interested to see how things were different or similar.
The University of Southampton Library was the first. We arrived at the Hartley Library and I found the reception area very imposing and spacious. There was an area for social study with flexible furniture arrangements, however this was quite uninspiring.
The Library is sprawling and set over five levels. Each level has a floor plan and currently a lot of change is happening so there were empty shelves and a great deal of movement. There are study rooms available and a good balance of social and quiet study space.
A special visit to the Archives and Special Collectionshad been arranged. This was especially exciting for me due to my background in Local History Librarianship. It was incredible to see the special collections all correctly preserved with climate control and in-house digitisation and conservation. The Hartley Library also houses BOPCRIS the digitisation centre which contains an impressive robotic Digitising Line book scanner from 4Digital Books.
Finally we got a chance to speak to the stock department. In public libraries the move has been towards smaller stock teams with electronic ordering and supplier processing. This was very much in contrast. Orders begin on paper and this same request goes through a number of people and the paper request ends up with the book. This probably highlights a funding issue, the University Library can still afford the bigger stock team.
The University of Portsmouth Library was the next stop. This Library has recently been redesigned and I think it is a really great space. The idea of the Library and Street as the same place is visible here. A central walkway opens up the library and floors are visible from other floors. This creates an open and inviting space. The library is lit up and the community can see students studying all night. This very public profile has raised the opinion of the students as their hard work is visible.
We heard about a very successful staff training programme where library staff were given a topic and had to create an informative poster. This led to staff realising that academic liaison librarians had to have a visible presence for students and led to the University Library staff winning a prize at the Umbrella poster presentations as they had learnt how to design effective posters!
The University Library has a Facebook and Twitter presence and has recently redesigned the website. All of these are working well. Web 2.0 presences for establishments was recommended as effective and the new website seems very usable.
The Changing Landscape of Libraries- Tim Leach BPD
Underlying presumption that change in library design is needed. Need to create places for people to meet, converse and COLLABORATE. Spaces need to be inspiring and uplifting and old buildings should house modern library environments. Design has to be a collaborative approach with staff, users, designers and suppliers.
- SPACE should be inspiring, accessible, intimate and communal. There should be interaction between spaces.
- FACILITIES should be flexible, adaptive, interactive.
- ACTIVITIES the design should support a 24/7 environment, need an ambiguous barrier between the library and the street.
- ENVIRONMENT needs sustainable lighting and ventilation.
- TECHNOLOGY should be present but not overwhelming, very flexible space.
- IDENTITY the library has to be personal and humane, a collective memory of identity, communal and civic.
A changing landscape means progressive facilities and traditional values.
This presentation was illuminating, it is refreshing to hear about library design from a professional who recognises the intrinsic values of the library. I was especially interested as we are thinking about the design of our library and how it can be made more welcoming and in harmony with the museum. This is difficult as it is housed in a 600 year old building which very much dictates the style- it is very beautiful but we can use the space more efficiently and be more flexible and communal.
The Great Good Place- Andrew Cranfield
Too often libraries reflect political vision. Are libraries an anachronism? We no longer have the monopoly on information. Are value adding ideas more important than collections? It is important to have a strong brand, identity and romance your user. Andrew showed examples of some of his favourite libraries:
- Idea Store a great example of BRANDING and a non-traditional style, but still traditional services.
- Library 10- Helsinki this is a small library with many users. The focus is on learning and visual communication
- Hjorring Library- Denmark A red line runs through the theatrical library bringing everything together.
Libraries Change Lives Awards
A rousing speech and moving poem from Andrew Motion followed by three very worthy projects and Leeds Libraries announced as the winner. For more info see here
