redesigning library spaces for service: aligning physical and virtual spaces

NELINET Annual Meeting 2007

Redesigning Library Spaces for Service:

Aligning Physical and Virtual Spaces

Rob FaviniProgram Director

Educational [email protected]


Physical and Virtual Space Planning

Physical Library– Planning timeframe

• 10-30 years

Virtual Library– Planning timeframe

• 1-3 years

“Technology years are like dog years, only shorter.”- David Gelernter

ResearchCollectionsQuiet study

CollaborationSocial space


Objective: To create an engaging physical environment

and a robust virtual environment

Structuring Physical Facilities

“Wired, wired everywhere:

… students can switch from

books to laptops

effortlessly.”

* Source: “At Dartmouth, Advanced Wi-Fi.” New York Times (May 4, 2005)

“We no longer need to build around technology, but technology will increasingly be available in 'undefined spaces,' which is

where 'teaching & learning' will take place. There is no longer a need for reading rooms in a digital era.”

– William J. Mitchell, Professor of Architecture, MIT


The Physical Library as Airport:Types of Spaces

• Active service space [airport ticket counters]– Major service areas (e.g., circulation desk)– Useful for quick transactions

• Transitional space [airline waiting areas]– Places to work or gather before and after class– Wireless access, outlets, furniture to support learning

• Blended [shopping and restaurants]– e.g., library cafes, to mix eating, relaxing and study– Blend open and collaborative group study spaces

• Quiet sanctuaries [private airline lounges]– Quiet spaces for private study, meditation, reflection

Partial source: Scott Carlson. “Campus Planners Have a Tech-Savvy Generation's Needs to Consider.” (July 11, 2006)


Designing Libraries for theInformal Learning Landscape• Create informal and nontraditional learning

environments • Create environments that support

improvisation– Enable group study (spacious, inviting, social spaces)– Encourage experiential learning – Technology-enabled

• laptop-friendly • (WiFi, electricity)

– Illuminated by natural light

Partial source: Scott Carlson. “Campus Planners Have a Tech-Savvy Generation's Needs to Consider.” Chronicle of Higher Education (July 11, 2006)


Use Technology to Enable Effective Services and Content

ExamplesUser space considerations

Number and types of seats Number and placement of electrical outletsRelative placement of different operations

PortabilityWhen and how will changes in battery technologies affect portable devices?Will people cyber-loiter in the cafe for hours listening to music on iPods while doing Email or talking on cell phones?

Design for Flexibility, Not a Specific Technology


Physical Design Principle: Design for Mobility

• Enable staff to provide service wherever and whenever users need assistance

• Use virtual reference to engage users • WiFi-enabled laptops for reference or circulation

staff are likely an essential part of the work environment

• Design for flexibility!

MovableDesks


Design Principle: Develop a Multi-Year Technology Planning Cycle

• Envision possible scenarios – How will technology and library services may change over

the next 3, 5, 10, or 20 years?– Plan for a technology obsolescence cycle of 12-18 months– Specific scenarios are less critical than developing services

that will enable your preferred scenarios to occur

• Develop spaces that are easily reconfigured to adapt to future content format and service changes

Service Kiosks

Large, immovable service desks will be difficult to change as e-

services become dominant


From Virtual to Physical Spaces• Visitor Ratio

– 3 of 4 visitors at the Metropolitan Museum go only to the web site and never enter the building

• Complement and Augment– How can virtual and physical sites become seamless to extend

the value of the other?

• Signage– What words are used in the building or on the web site? Are

they meaningful to librarians, but make no sense to the user? Are they readable and in appropriate locations?

• Marketing value– How can the web site be used as a marketing tool to provide a

different experience virtually than we can provide physically?

• Interactivity:– How can the web site be made more interactive – to see the

collections, to respond in real time, to create community wikis?


Libraries on the WebPutting your best virtual foot forward!


Ensuring Robust Physical and Virtual Technology Environments

• Strong IT support• Numerous and

powerful workstations• Ubiquitous WiFi• Institutional and

community digital repositories

• Enable the creation and sharing of content

• Effective discovery and use systems

How Well Do Your Physical and Virtual Sites Align?

Goal Physical VirtualEase of access

Ease of use

Collaboration-enabledPlaces to relax

Support instruction

Technology-friendly

Too many walls? Too many clicks?

Movable furniture? Access too structured or not well organized?

Is there sufficient collaborative space?

Are there any online collaborative tools?

Is there a café? Any “entertainment”sections of the site to keep users engaged?

Any classrooms or instructional space?

Any education or course-related materials?

WiFi available? Enough electrical sockets?

Does the web site advance the library?

Multi-Year Physical Facilities:Planning Assumptions

Today (2007)

Two-to-Five Years (by 2012)

Ten Years (by 2017)

Multiyear Implications

o Learning commons

o Cafeso Library provides

flat screens, laptops, wireless

o Virtual referenceo Collaborative

study & research o Library e-content

services provided through a single portal

o Most content accessed electronically

o Role of library as social place becomes more important than repository of physical material

o Library portal services provide content integration, and are fully available anywhere, anytime

o Fifth generation portable, fully functional and integrated information, entertainment, and communications devices

o Browsing is only a virtual experience

o Portals replaced by high functioning (broadcast-quality) access systems to all information sources

o Ubiquitous wireless connectivity throughout the building

o Adequate electrical outlets available, but do not over-develop (will be replaced by high capacity batteries)

o No stationary work carrels: spaces and tables are easily movable and modified

o No stationary service deskso Ample collaborative work

spaceo Glare-free environments

throughout building


Rob [email protected]

+1-800-NELINET ext. 1938