the living-room library

@ Tamworth Library

Behind the ‘living-room’ concept

User independence Client-focus Most appropriate

format

Objectives of the ‘living-room library’ concept

Encourage user independence Encourage browsing & exploration Interfile & Integrate (formats, media) Reflect community interests

Acknowledgements

Sue Ryan, Newcastle Library John Stanley, John Stanley Associates

Kay Delahunt, Library Services Manager

Hunter vs Gatherer

Living-room library layout is designed to be more attractive to people ‘just browsing’

Users on the hunt for specific titles / subjects are better served by the catalogue, or by staff

Characteristics of the ‘living-room library’

broad subject “rooms” for all non-fiction items

Characteristics of the ‘living-room library’

comfy furniture, cosy corners

Characteristics of the ‘living-room library’

all formats interfiled in each room

Characteristics of the ‘living-room library’

PAPCs (with Pharos) throughout the library

Characteristics of the ‘living-room library’

“face out” displays

Characteristics of the ‘living-room library’

Room for events

Characteristics of the ‘living-room library’

vending machines

Determining the subject groups

not “one size fits all” community profile analysis of NF loans influenced by the layout of major

bookstores

How it works

Evaluation:

Changed patterns of use• The resources

• The library Shift in clientele Increased loans & visits

Annual loans

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

Annual visitor count

2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

People just use it

No instructions required!

Law & Business, and LIAC

the foyer, level 1

The ‘Knit-In’

The ‘island’

Background reading Casey, M. & Stephens, M. (2009). ‘It’s fine to drop

Dewey’, Library Journal, July, p.19. Fister, B. (2009). ‘The Dewey dilemma’, Library

Journal, October 1, p.22-25 Rix, W. (2009). ‘Reference collections and staff:

retaining relevance’, The Reference Librarian, 50:3, 302-305.

Singer, C. A. (2010). ‘Ready reference collections: a history’, Reference & User Services Quarterly, 49:3, 253-264.

Wigell-Ryynanen, B. (2005). ‘In real life’, Scandinavian Public Library Quarterly, Vol.4, p.3.

The Reference collection Quick-reference only shelved separately

The Reference collection

Not for Loan items interfiled