The makerspace movement is now coming into its own, and new libraries are doing more than just attaching a makerspace function. The new library just opened at Darling Square, Sydney, sets the makerspace in the entrance foyer – it’s a hive-shaped building, and first thing you see is a hive of activity, indicative of a world of creativity and collaboration that differentiates the traditional library from the new. Good examples in the UK are Warwickshire’s ‘Let’s Make’ spaces, highly visible and integrated spaces in redesigned libraries, where we see design and library furniture companies expand- ing their remit to embrace a whole range of new equipment. For those libraries still hesitant about embracing new technologies such as virtual reality, there is advice available from the supply base, and from a company such as Artefacto (
www.artefacto.org.uk).
When first introduced self-issue was often seen as a cost-cutting measure dressed up as a service development. But
self-issue, along with self-managed lock- ers, device loans, room booking systems, is now a given when it comes to optimal organisation of space, workflows and the customer journey – and in the refocus- ing of staff roles rather than reducing staff hours. We are now at a point where services such as bibliotheca’s open+ are extending opening hours and furthering the movement towards self-managed access to services and collections (www.
bibliotheca.com).
It is inevitable that in older library buildings with restricted spaces each element of technical innovation has been added bit by bit, and as those bits accumulate over time (and future time and the rate of acceleration is always in mind) it is increasingly necessary to re- think the library project and to take every opportunity to build on what we have learned so far and recognise how much the model of the library has changed and will continue to change. This Buyers’ Guide is a good starting
point for an overview of the dynamics of change. Designing Libraries can also help you. The web portal gives you access to over 1600 pages of information about library design and innovation, and it is a showcase for library projects across the world. Designing Libraries has been cre- ated as a community interest company, supported by CILIP, to share experiences that will lead to a brighter future for public, academic and school libraries everywhere. BG
Let’s make makerspace at Rugby Library. Photo ©
thedesignconcept.co.uk
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