Presented by the Directors of the Denver, Vancouver, Seattle and Cincinnati Public Libraries
Topics to consider:
Future of central libraries and neighborhood libraries
How can central libraries serve everyone?
Central libraries as research facility
The ebb and flow of subject departments
Central libraries as civic icon vs. neighborhood branch
Denver Public Library
Architect/Designer Michael Graves and CLIP
Who we are, how we live, how they use us?
Changing needs and expectations
Moved from a model of "being all things to all people at all locations" to a model based on market segmentation.
We now have a few different kinds of libraries:
Our Universal (online) library
Contemporary libraries
Learning and language libraries
Family libraries
Children's libraries
The Central library
Central library space planning: redesigned, renewed, reaffirmed
What doesn't work?
Created some new departments at Central, combined others.
Provide Roving Reference using Samsung Q1s. Provide reference help at point of entry.
Library as gathering place. Downtown Denver hosts "Fresh City Life" adult cultural programming. Library hosts events as part of that programming.
Interior design: moved from "Stacks and Rows" to Outward-facing shelves, middle aisle seating and lots of "wedding cake"-style retail displays.
Vancouver Public Library
What is reference anyway? Get out into the community.
Between February 07 and 08, Vancouver PL
Foot traffic down 10%
Circulation down 6%
Reference questions down 10%
...forced to consider another model.
A focus on Central library as neighborhood branch for residents in the surrounding community.
Tried to focus on working with specific communities like central neighborhood, the existing library community, the educational and literary community, community organizations, other levels of government and non-users.
VPL's current projects include:
Working Together
Ready to read--VPL's early literacy outreach via five children’s libraries
Skilled Immigrant InfoCentre
Central libraries should lead partnerships where appropriate AND partner with, but let other groups lead, where appropriate.
Seattle Public Library
How do we make the central library live?
The city of Seattle has seen an increase in the number of cultural opportunities, an increase in high-density housing (read: our "branch" users) and an increase in the diversity of our population.
SPL's Challenges
Keeping the central library space dynamic
Getting people here (after the initial fascination of visiting the cool new building.)
Getting them all to keep coming back
Reaching and engaging the "smart, young wifi guy"--one type of patron that staff observe who only seems to visit the library for the free wireless and for no other library program or resource.
Finding a balance between being a civic icon and being a warm, friendly branch.
SPL's focus
Cultural programming
Community engagement
Early learning
Lifelong learning (also, offering computer and other instruction at outlying branches)
Teens
Customers
SPL's Questions to consider
Icon or branch? Finding a balance.
Collection: Storehouse or audience draw? (Pulling or shifting collections between branches; focus on collection or spaces)
Staffing for the future: Librarians? Programmers? New skills taught or New jobs and job descriptions?
How do we use our space?
Whither the city? (focus on trends)
Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
The ML/21st Century project to examine the use of Central library.
Cinci's Issues--500,000 square foot building, 50 year old service model, 15 departments, 6 subject areas.
Project was data-driven and not brainstormed, because it is harder to argue with usage statistics.
Cinci's data gathering
Customer survey
Usage trends
Staff input
Trends in Public Libraries
Unobtrusive observations (the most important)
Old= Fiction, Non-Fiction, Films
New= Popular Library
Old=All departments subject focused
New= Information and Reference
Old= Young Adults
New= Teen Spot (8,000 square feet)
...also, Technology Center and Homework Central.
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