duncanmckeanoverdue: the 21st century library

Today we will look at:

The Problem •Research •Insights and Opportunities •Design, Development and Detailing •The Proposal •Cost, Manufacture and Materials •Evaluation •

The Problem

Woodcut of the library at Alexandria (295 BC) •

Qur’anic public library, Mauritania (founded in the 13th Century) •

Chetham’s Library (1653) •

Preston Free Public Library (1893) •

Winchester Discovery Centre (2008) •

“At the moment that we persuade a child, any child, to cross that threshold, that magic threshold into a library, we change their lives forever, for the better. It’s an enormous force for good.”

But libraries are losing their relevance in today’s society

Over the last 10 years book borrowing has fallen by 34% • (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountability, 2008).

Over the last 10 years book borrowing has fallen by 34% • (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountability, 2008).

40 libraries were closed throughout 2007 • (The Independent, 2008).

Over the last 10 years book borrowing has fallen by 34% • (Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountability, 2008).

40 libraries were closed throughout 2007 • (The Independent, 2008).

87% of respondents to a public consultation felt that a library closure •would affect them greatly (Buckinghamshire City Council Government report, 2006)

“What is the role of the library within the community of the 21st Century?”

Research

Reports •

Experts •

Users •

Research Group •

Findings

“We need to move on from the perception of libraries as merely depositories for books...”

John RouseChief ExecutiveCommission for Architecture and the Built Environment

“That’s where I hide.”

Services are not important to her. The place itself is important.

Angharad WilliamsCharity WorkerRegular library user

“Most needed are those ‘Third Places’ which lend a public balance to the increasing privatization of home life. Third Places are nothing more than informal public gathering places. ...”

Ray OldenburgAmerican Urban Sociologist(1989)

“...The phrase ‘Third Places’ derives from considering our homes to be the ‘first’ places in our lives, and our work places the ‘second.’”

Ray OldenburgAmerican Urban Sociologist(1989)

On libraries as a Third Place: “...how it is being used for positive interaction between people, connecting the people and the resources the library holds in a way that enriches lives...”

Helen CarpenterLibrarian and Director of welcometoyourlibrary.org

“The growing recognition of Third Places in relation to social capital and community cohesion suggests an appropriate role for the public library movement seeking to reaffirm its place in the network society.”

Kevin HarrisCommunity Development Foundation (April, 2003)

90% of questionnaire respondents agree that a Third Place would be beneficial to the community.

Questionnaire 2Sent to sample of public representing different demographics in terms of age, geography, interests questioning expectations of a Third Place.

INTERESTIN

FLU

ENC

E

LOW HIGHLO

WH

IGH

Library UsersLapsed Library UsersNon-Library UsersLocal CommunityIndividual Project Module Requirements

GovernmentLibrariansTourists / VisitorsNGO’s / Interest GroupsLocal MediaCompetition e.g. Starbucks

Vulnerable GroupsLocal Authorities

ArchitectsInterior Designers

INTERESTIN

FLU

ENC

E

LOW HIGHLO

WH

IGH

Library UsersLapsed Library UsersNon-Library UsersLocal CommunityIndividual Project Module Requirements

GovernmentLibrariansTourists / VisitorsNGO’s / Interest GroupsLocal MediaCompetition e.g. Starbucks

Vulnerable GroupsLocal Authorities

ArchitectsInterior Designers

Insights and Opportunities

“…public libraries are in a unique position in offering space in communities.” •

To develop the library as a genuine alternative community ‘Third Place’ used by, benefitting and reflecting

that community

Design, Development and Detailing

The ‘War Room’ •

To develop the library as a genuine alternative community ‘Third Place’ used by, benefitting and reflecting

that community

Dissection of a Third Place •

To develop the library as a genuine alternative community ‘Third Place’ used by, benefitting and reflecting

that community

To develop the library as a genuine alternative community ‘Third Place’

Allow user to interact in an engaging or provocative way •

Facilitates community networking •

Comply to safety standards •

Suit ages 8 - 80 •

Create a sense of place •

Social seating for an informal gathering place

Focal points •

Focal points •

What does it do?

Val is in charge of her local public library for the day...

Val O’SullivanChildren’s LibrarianHampshire County Council

Opening. Unit is unplugged from overnight charging •

Morning. Elderly friends meet up for a cup of tea, a chat and to collect books •

Lunchtime. People wanting to get out of the office start arriving •

Afternoon. Local school has a story about Darwin before hometime •

Evening. Local book group meet up to discuss • ‘The Rum Diary’

Close. Unit is plugged back in and recharged ready for the morning •

Needs, Features and Benefits

NeedUser to interact with product in an engaging or •

provocative way

FeatureLamp dome hand hot with tactile surface •

BenefitIncreases interaction between people •

NeedCreate a sense of place •

FeatureCan be linked together and moved around •

BenefitSuitable for different groups and people •

NeedFacilitate community networking •

FeatureLamp dome flickers in reaction to conversation •

BenefitHelps with social cohesion •

NeedFacilitate community networking •

FeatureLamp dome flickers in reaction to conversation •

BenefitHelps with social cohesion •

How does it work?

Cone

Electrical caddy

Cushion

Handle

Power supplyLatches

Lower casing

Casters

Upper casing

Cone

Electrical caddy

Cushion

Handle

Power supplyLatches

Lower casing

Casters

Upper casing

Cone

Electrical caddy

Cushion

Handle

Power supplyLatches

Lower casing

Casters

Upper casing

Cone

Electrical caddy

Cushion

Handle

Power supplyLatches

Lower casing

Casters

Upper casing

Cone

Electrical caddy

Cushion

Handle

Power supplyLatches

Lower casing

Casters

Upper casing

powersupply

controller

thermostat

switch powerresistor

Evaluation

“It can be used in an informal situation, people gathering and chatting in the library... I can see it being popular with young people.”

Val O’SullivanChildren’s LibrarianHampshire County Council

“...the warmth adds an aspect of comfort which is almost impossible to find in public spaces.”

Angharad WilliamsCharity WorkerRegular library user

“The concept of hand-warming is great. The analogy of the hearth or the fireplace is a very strong subliminal draw for people...”

Russel AshdownSustainable Interior Designer

“...would be particularly good for children’s areas of libraries where they could be integrated into storytimes.”

Alison WestonFurniture ProcurementBristol City Council

Sally provided knowledge that the materials and manufacturing techniques were suitable for the concept.

Dr Sally PraulitisSenior LecturerPlastics and manufacturing expert

Terry provided knowledge that the electronics were valid and would provide the required results within the prescribed constraints.

Terry BlakeElectrical Engineering Technician

Costing

PartsMaterials £10.00 •Electrical Platform £30.00 •Battery £80.00 •Over Latches £20.00 •Castors £15.00 •Charger £60.00 •Cable Caddy £25.00 •

Parts £240.00

Parts £240.00Labour £100.00

Parts £240.00Labour £100.00Margin £100.00

Total: £440.00

Competition

Price: £184.95 •

Seats: one •

Price: £440.00 •

Seats: two-three •

Number of public libraries in UK: 4,500 •

(CILIP, 2009)

Number of public libraries in UK: 4,500 •10% penetration: 450 •

Number of public libraries in UK: 4,500 •10% penetration: 450 •10 units per library: 4,500 units •

Number of public libraries in UK: 4,500 •10% penetration: 450 •10 units per library: 4,500 units •Cost: £1.98m •Margin: £450,000 •

Number of public libraries in UK: 4,500 •10% penetration: 450 •10 units per library: 4,500 units •Cost: £1.98m •Margin: £450,000 •

Only Public Libraries

Number of public libraries in UK: 4,500 •10% penetration: 450 •10 units per library: 4,500 units •Cost: £1.98m •Margin: £450,000 •

Only Public LibrariesOnly in the UK

Future Developments

Full scale prototype tested in situ •

Development of comfort •

Batteries and Electronics •

Handle •

Child specific research and prototype •

Today we have looked at:

The Problem •Research •Insights and Opportunities •Design, Development and Detailing •The Proposal •Cost, Manufacture and Materials •Evaluation •