The Globus Design Associates Blog

Libraries in the Digital and Sustainable Age

Photo: Suzan Globus

I was asked to design a special area to attract young adults in a public library by library board members who lamented, "Kids don't read books anymore," while wondering what effect this assumption will have on public libraries in the future.  Coincidentally, one of my Design for Sustainability students submitted a paper on the effects of e-readers on libraries and I was interested to read his view regarding the need for libraries.

Typical of many library users, he said that the library was the coolest place he had ever visited as a child because it was, "crammed with anything and everything you wanted to know about."  To him, the fact that Amazon made library e-books available on Kindle was a signal of the need for libraries in the digital age.  He also felt that the continual use of the millions of library buildings around the world allows for optimization of our built environment in relationship to sustainability.  Contrary to the opinion of the my library board clients, this college student stated that he is partial of physical books and will continue to use the library for that purpose only.  Libraries have a wonderful opportunity to build on that sense of discovery that engages people of all ages by offering "anything and everything" people want to know about in both physical and digital formats in an environment that is designed to both stimulate them and support them in their quest.

Teens use Library in New Ways

To hear some of our public library clients tell it, part of the headline above, "Teens Use Library" might be newsworthy.  In towns where the library is not located within walking distance of the schools, some public libraries use programs such as gaming to attract teen users.

River Edge Public Library employed a creative tactic to engage teens to become more familiar with and take pride in their local library by enrolling them to assist in moving part of the book collection. The move was precipitated by the redesign of the library interiors.

As demonstrated by these photos on the library's page, the volunteers are enjoying themselves. The teens are engaged and the library is saving money by using volunteer labor. Great idea and execution by Daragh O'Connor, Director. It will be interesting to see if The teens will increase their use of the library after investing their time to improve it for their community.

Library Display Finds from NeoCon '11

I'll admit it.  I'm not a fan of using slat wall display on end panels in libraries due to its oversubsciption and under whelming design.  If the slat wall pieces are not filled, it adds a strong horizontal linear design element that is rarely incorporated into the overall design of the space.  If the slat wall is finished in a strong color, it can stop the eye instead of the materials displayed on it.  I am always on the prowl for different ways to display library materials. The products displayed at NeoCon yielded a couple of options:

This large format, children's book, two sided, mobile trolley by Jonti Craft provides display at the eye level of the intended audience.  Although the exposed screw holes prevent me from labelling it sleek, there is much to be said for straightforward design from simple materials that doesn't have a large foot print and is easy to relocate and change.

Photo: Suzan Globus

This sleek introduction by Sparkeology allows the owner to create changeable displays in house from perforated 8-1/2" by 11" paper to hang on this brushed metal, two sided T-stand. I could imagine it being used also to display some topical periodicals supporting an adjacent display.

Library Contains Hidden Treasure

One of the benefits of designing Library interiors is discovering a link to the past or a hidden treasure within a Library's special collection.  A recent visit to a prospective client uncovered several surprises:

Photo: Suzan Globus

1. A beautiful setting on a lush campus overlooking the New York skyline.

Photo: Suzan Globus

2. Strong of the period - 1970's- architecture. As an aside, it doesn't always make for the most usable or accessible interiors, but is still interesting to look at.

Photo: Suzan Globus

3. Exceptional student art displays. This mobile was donated by former student, Alexander Calder.  See photo above for another view.

Photo: Suzan Globus

4. More "student" art. A Calder sculpture anchors rows of book stacks.

 

Closing Bookstores Suggest New Partners for Libraries

Borders announcement of the closing of 200 of their largest bookstores fuels speculation about the future of bookstores.  Before public librarians celebrate an expected resurgence in library use among those who prefer to browse for books they can touch, consider  The New York Times story, Publishers Look Beyond Bookstores, February 27 which reported that publishers are forming unusual partnerships to sell books.

Retailers such as Target, Urban Outfitters and Anthropologie are reporting an increases in book sales.  Higher end clothier Marc Jacobs has added books to his selling floors. 

Princeton Public Library retail style book displays.

Copying retail store book displays was the trend in library design and it is a good start.  Libraries can take another cue from the lifestyle marketing experts and create partnerships with their local retailers.  Imagine walking into a public library and seeing a garden book display accompanied by a display of pots, seeds and garden gloves for sale by the local nursery. 

Imagine the interest this Princeton Public Library book display might draw if the pamphlet stand were replaced with product for sale.

Display space could be rented to store owners in the community much like many libraries lease space for cafes in the library.

Galvanized steel and wood finishes anchor this Jackson                                                                       Library Cafe. Design by Globus  Design Associates.

No doubt this concept would take some tight management to make it work, but in this day of shrinking budgets and increased competition among information service providers, this type of partnership could create a much needed draw and opportunity to increase community awareness and user experience for public libraries.

High Touch vs. High Tech - Library Debate Reaches New Level

Library reference collections once were the epi-center of the "high touch" (books) vs. "high tech" (computers to access on-line resources) debate in library interior design, but the area is spreading.

The New York Times January 25,  2011 editorial, “Read On”,  reported that the sales of e-books doubled in the first 11 months of last year while book sales increased 3.5%  during the same  period. Those who bought e-readers are showing up at libraries to download books in increasing numbers.  This trend has space implications and moves the debate about how much space is allocated to books versus computers and download stations to another level.

Library Music Collection. Photo: Suzan Globus

Answering the question gets confusing. Consumers balked at the changes as formats for music evolved from vinyl to tape to disks.  And then many of us raced to purchase ipods to have our personally selected music at our fingertips.  We seem to have little problem listening to music delivered through our computers and car radios without touching jewel cases, admiring cover art and reading liner notes.  Aside from the financial consideration, why, then, are some of us resisting accessing written content through e-readers rather than printed books? 

• Is appreciating music less personal than ingesting words? 

• Is music less precious an art than literature?
• Does it matter that music can be accessed while a person is in motion - running on the treadmill, dancing, or cleaning the apartment and, therefore, can be a communal or less focused experience; whereas reading, usually done while a person is stationary, is typically a solitary, personal experience? 

• Is the place to where we are transported by words any less valuable than the place music takes us?  
• Do we need tangible reminders of that magical experience?
• Are any of these the reasons we may find it easier to let go of the physical container of music than the physical container of books, or is it only a matter of time before we do?

 

Library Adult Book Collection.  Photo: Suzan Globus

 

 

Happy Design Holidays

It's that time of year when many of us feel like

Photo: Suzan Globus

Thanks to sustainable designer  Emily Piloton's recent post, University of San Francisco's Gleeson Library  may have set the bar for libraries with their  green tree made from reference books.

If you do find some time to put your feet up to reflect upon the year and plan for the year ahead, these industry leaders in a  BusinessWeek story make a strong case about the value of design to your business regardless of what your business is.  Here's to implementing the lessons learned in the new year.

 

Library Interior Design Before and After

One of our prospective clients requested that we bring some before and after photos to their interview of firms that have been "short listed" for their renovation project.  It is is a great reminder that these types of photos help clients to put the change interior design creates in some kind of context. Showing before and after photos also helps me to explain the value of design beyond the pretty pictures that capture the results, because they remind me to discuss what programatic challenges the project presented.  Here is an example:
Before: The photo of the existing circulation desk covered during demolition triggers a discussion about how the library staff will function during the renovation.  Note the design presentation boards on top of the desk which display samples of the new building finishes to be installed.

Before: This photo of the Red Bank Public Library   before the redesign indicates sightlines, ease of use for non-English speaking patrons and a welcoming entrance were among the design program issues.

Before: Dense book stack placement and tall furnishings did not conform to the ADA guidelines and obscured the view of the river which would be a drawing card for the Library.

 

Photo: Stephen Carr

After: With sight lines improved, periodical shelving conforming to  ADA guidelines, materials reorganized for ease of location and comfortable riverfront seating, the library welcomes new customers.

Before:  Shown functioning as a staging area during the renovation, this historically significant room, a building highlight,  was underused before the library was redesigned.

Photo: Stephen Carr
After: With finishes restored, special collections securely displayed and new furnishings appropriate to the period installed, this room adds value to the library by functioning as a meeting room, quiet study space, reception area and tourist attraction.

 

Greenliness is next to Godliness

One of the stops on my Aunt's "must-see" list, during her visit last week - after Christmas window decorations, of course -

was the New York City Public Library.

and its restored third floor.

Certain interior design elements, such as this casework

and these ceilings reminded me of a church.  That triggered a thought of my recent visit to a friend's church where I noticed a pamphlet in the lobby promoting green living as one aspect of leading a spiritual life.

One document offered an outline of steps to take ranging from questioning consumption and product packaging to cleaning supplies in order to lead a greener life.

Although I am not promoting a specific religion, I feel libraries in their role as community centers and places of information exchange can take a cue from the Presbyterian Church, in this case, and prominently place resources encouraging an interest in sustainability.  There is an opportunity for libraries to be leaders in disseminating information about sustainability which feels like a valuable void to fill.

How to add Quiet Space into an Existing Library Interior

I was checking an installation of of custom casework my firm designed for the Jefferson Public Library the other day when a library user began talking to me about the library.  I asked her what she thought the biggest change was in the library's new  design and she said that now she could find quiet spaces within the open plan.  Because one of the program requirements for the redesign of the library was to create quiet space within the existing public space, I was happy to hear she thought we achieved the goal.   Here is how we did it.

1. Carve out space in book stacks.

Before Photo: Valerie Mangan

Shifting rows of book stacks like those shown, above left, can yield some floor space in between the ranges.

After  Photo: Suzan Globus

The tall book stacks create a natural sound barrier and element of privacy for the people using the carrels and table in the newly created quiet study area, above.  Because the interior design program included a sustainability component and a fiscally conservative approach, we reused as much of the existing furnishings as possible.  We keyed the floor plan to the existing lighting and power drops to avoid additional electrical costs which the library was unprepared to address at this time.

2.  Consolidate book collections, particularly the young adults materials.

Before Photo: Valerie Mangan

The majority of the young adults collection was located behind the tall periodical shelving, above left.  The graphic novels display, left of center, was not adjacent to the teen area.  Teens tend to travel in groups and can be perceived as disruptive to other age groups of library customers, so consolidating teen services and collections tends to reduce noise.

After  Photo: Suzan Globus

Carving out a corner, to which teens tend to gravitate, reshelving the collection to provide easy access to young adult books and computers and adding some appealing seating in flexible arrangements helps to create a space where teens want to linger.

3. Locate high traffic materials near the library entrance.

Before Photo: Valerie Mangan

Previously, the reference area, far left above, was adjacent to the library entrance.

Before Photo: Valerie Mangan

Those seeking to do on-line research or work quietly on a laptop at a carrel, above, could easily be distracted by noise from the foot traffic through the nearby front doors.

After  Photo: Suzan Globus

Designing a browsing area with new materials, periodicals, digital media and comfortable seating near the entrance keeps the sounds of the quick, casual visitors segregated from those seeking quieter surroundings for longer stays at the library.