The Globus Design Associates Blog

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.

 

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.

Happy Halloween

 

I don't know why I'm drawn to decorations on houses. I just know it's a cultural phenomenon to which I pay too much attention.  I have noticed that more houses are being elaborately decorated for Halloween this year than last and that this year's most popular theme is spiders.

Photo: Suzan Globus

Photo: Suzan Globus

These spiders are upstaged by their ghoulish companions.

Photo: Suzan Globus

Evidence of spiders is also popular judging from these decorations.

Photo: Suzan Globus

Photo: Suzan Globus

Regardless of your preference, enjoy the day.

Photo: Suzan Globus