Book oriented?
I'm a member of a ALA Central Libraries listserv. The moderator actively mines the Internet for library news and today's email linked to an article about a new central library design for Macau. They are striving to do many things with their new building. (Macau Daily Times, Wednesday, April 9, 2008)
While that was interesting, here's the sentence that grabbed me.
"The new library will endeavour to shift from institution-oriented to people-oriented and from book-oriented to reader-oriented."
What would a reader-oriented library look like to you?
...the Macau Government is seeking to draw on the professional experience and talent of local architects.
Underpinning the design of the new library will be the core values of –“cultural legacy”, “guided learning”, “intellectual development”, and “service to society”. It will be dedicated to enriching cultural resources, carrying out cultural education, passing on documentary information, creating a reading atmosphere, and positioning itself as Macau’s city classroom, citizen’s square and cultural centre.
While that was interesting, here's the sentence that grabbed me.
"The new library will endeavour to shift from institution-oriented to people-oriented and from book-oriented to reader-oriented."
What would a reader-oriented library look like to you?
posted by cynthialb at 4:04 PM
2 Comments:
How wild can we get with our imagination?
Easy changes I think would include comfy chairs, more use of sunlight, and maybe a few plants.
I visited my childhood library in the midwest a couple years back after they moved to a new location, and I was envious to see that they had a fireplace with rocking chairs. It felt very cozy.
I know that this is not practical for our library, but it was cool to see.
I used to work in a branch with a large fireplace that was freestanding in the center of the room, with a huge stone fireplace. The fire could be enjoyed from two sides and my desk was right in front of it!
Comfy chairs would indeed be nice. I also wonder if there are service things that would be more reader oriented, such as increased renewal limits, downloadable audio, etc.
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