This document discusses how libraries grow communities. It provides several quotes and perspectives on how libraries add value as community centers, help create a sense of place, and provide important activities for communities. The document then outlines the current state of Arlington Public Library's branches and services, and discusses opportunities to expand into new spaces and service models like makerspaces, storefront libraries, and business incubation centers to engage more community members and audiences. It emphasizes experimenting with new operational models through prototyping, partnerships, and needs-driven customized services.

1. LIBRARIES GROW COMMUNITIES
We. Build. Smart.

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Our town

3. Libraries add value
Edwards, Julie Biono. "Community Centered: 23 Reasons Why Your Library Is the Most Important
Place in Town." Public Librarie s O nline Co m m unity Ce nte re d 23 Re aso ns Why Yo ur Library Is the
Mo st Im po rtant Place in To wn Co m m e nts . Public Libraries Magazine, 30 Apr. 2013. Web. 12 June
2015. http://publiclibrariesonline.org/2013/04/community-centered-23-reasons-why-your-library-is-
the-most-important-place-in-town/
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4. Place
McMahon, Edward T. "Public Buildings Should Set the Standard." Planning
Co m m issio ne rs Jo urnal41 (2001): 1-6. Planning Co m m issio ne rs Jo urnal. Web.
<http://plannersweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2001/01/206.pdf>.
“Public buildings and spaces create
identity and a sense of place. They give
communities something to remember and
admire.” Ed McMahon, senior fellow at Urban
Institute
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5. Activity
“You can’t just rely on retail in downtown
expansion, you need an activity center like
a library.” Hudson, OH planner, Mark
Richardson
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Senville, Wayne. "Libraries at the Heart of Our Communities." Libraries at the Heart of Our
Communities 75 (2009): 1-18. Planning Commissioners Journal. Web.
<http://plannersweb.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/412.pdf>.

6. Trust
"They [libraries] stand for
private study in a social
space; they are safe, they're
places of sanctuary and play
a vital role in some of the
poorest communities.
And they are trusted.”
"Libraries Could Outlast the Internet, Head of British Library Says." The Telegraph. Telegraph Media
Group, n.d. Web. 12 June 2015. <http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/hay-festival/11627276/Libraries-
could-outlast-the-internet-head-of-British-Library-says.html>.
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7. APL offers core services plus . . .
gadget help for older adults English conversation
classes Lego clubs “office” space family
history workshops money talks maker spaces
nerf nights movies in the park teen study nights
garden talks and tool lending career planning
reading and running 1:1 tech tutoring literary
games strategies for start ups
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8. Getting to the of the matter
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Design
Thinking

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10. Central Library
 Built in 1961
 Renovated in
1992
 Refresh
underway to
upgrade
technology and
flexible spaces
for the
community
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89,000 sq ft

11. Neighborhood
Cherrydale Branch Library
Glencarlyn Branch Library
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4200 sq ft
5500 sq ft

12. Co-located
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Columbia Pike Library
Aurora Hills Library
19,000 sq ft
8700 sq ft

13. Village anchors
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Shirlington Library
Westover Library
15,293 sq ft
16,403 sq ft

14. What we did right
 Well-sited “beacons”
 Compelling architecture and public art
 Integrated interior aesthetic
 Balance between high tech and high touch
 Natural lighting
 LEED
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15. Our core audiences . . .
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16. and those we need to grow more
…16

17. Where do we go from here?
 Our community wants flexible and multi-use
spaces. The library isn’t just books anymore.
 Opportunities exist for mixed-use planning and
co-location of services for vulnerable
populations.
 There is an insatiable demand for youth-
related services and programs.
 Extend the library brand in “pop-up” or
temporary spaces in developing business
districts and neighborhoods.
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Imagine these …

19. Maker space 5,000 SF19
as these. . .

20. Storefront Library 3,000 SF
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21. YOU Media space 5,000 SF
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22. Early literacy discovery center
5,000 SF22

23. Instabook Center 750 SF
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24. Theatre 4,000 SF
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25. Incubation and Small Business
Center 2,000 SF
 Offer a familiar entry-point
for potential entrepreneurs
less likely to walk into a
traditional start-up
incubator
 1:1 career and business
coaching from experts.
 Hoteling (space to perform
business functions).
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26. Operationalizing new models …
 Experimentation
 Prototyping/researching
 Alternative staffing/alternative schedules
 Partnerships
 Customized services
 Needs-driven
 Hyper-local
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Anythingis possible

27. Book vending machine
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From this ….

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… to the se …

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“Let us think the
unthinkable, let us do
the undoable, let us
prepare to grapple
with the ineffable itself,
and see if we may not
eff it after all.” –
Douglas Adams

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