“The public places on neutral ground where people can gather and interact. In contrast to first places (home) and second places (work).” - Ray Oldenburg
From OCLC Perception Survey “It is time to rejuvenate the Library “Brand”
Starbuck is held as the king of the third place
Characteristics
Distinct from home or work “neutral”
Liberating and “free” space - relaxed
Encourages people to stay and to return
The shelving incorporates face out display on most units, it is stair stepped against the wall to provided visibility throughout the library, provides visual interest
The wheels on some shelving allows it to be easily moved, even loaded with materials. The shelving can be moved to where it is needed to handle a influx of a certain subject or to switch up the library and keep it from becoming stagnate.
The signage took a while to develop the right size, font, color and contrast. This really was like a page from Why We Buy. The original signage concept was very different. It looked great up close, but once installed and viewed from the customers point of view. It didn’t work. These are easily replaced to keep it up to date and are readable fromm a distance
Comfortable chairs. This library has about 3 x the amount of lounge seating that would have been put in our other libraries. Before a chair was considered it had to be unanimously recommended by a team that included different body types, genders, heights and ages. The materials covering the chairs are keeping with the fun factor, metallic copper vinyl that is very durable. Other lounge chairs have wheels on the front of them to allow them to be easily move to accommodate customers needs even including the tablet arms for laptops, coffee or books.
They are all easily moveable the corner piece is a great chair put two to together and they make a couch. Arm are important ease of gettig and out of the chair
Directional signage The Fiction sign is three ft black foam letters that can be seen from the entire library. This also illustrates the cubbies and chairs. The end panels with images lend a strong visual impact and warm the space up. These were actually installed not long ago almost 2 years after the library opened. The took far too much time and effort to perfect and the loss of display place.
