The document discusses the evolution of public libraries in the digital age, particularly through initiatives like bib.fm, a music streaming service developed by libraries in Flanders. It highlights the challenges and user feedback related to digital access to cultural resources, emphasizing the need for improved user experience and innovative features. The initiative aims to enhance public access to diverse content while redefining the traditional library role in the digital landscape.

1. BIG idea(l)s
SMALL steps
CHANGING environment
case
koen.vandendriessche
lotte@ladda.be
johan.mijs@bibnet.be

2. www.bibnet.be = government organisation for the digital library

3. www.bibliotheek.be = 300 public libraries in Flanders

4. public libraries are places

5. public libraries provide access to
a diverse and up to date collection
for the general public

6. what about libraries in the digital world?
existential questions: 'online ergo sum'

7. no digital public lending rights
start negotiating

8. start business modeling
specifics: small population, small language, small advertising market

9. Taking small steps
(piecemeal engineering)
NEED TO SHOW THINGS
To users
To libraries
To administration and politicians
To content providers and creative industry
Can trigger FAIL and EVOLUTION

10. music is a forerunner
e-books?

11. Positioning?
Libraries non-commercially stimulate, spread and give democratic
and guaranteed access to culture – also on the internet? / what is
the difference? / who else? / what added value?

12. DigiLeen DRM protected downloads (2007)

13. DigiLeen streaming (upgrade, 2011)
www.digileen.be

14. Bib.fm (2011)
http://lanaken.bib.fm

15. What is Bib.fm?
Digitized cd collection of 1 pilot library
Streaming player (30s – full track)
Library card number login
Limited use of 10 hours/month
Subjective metadata (moods, bpm, hardness, genres, ...) and
recommender of Aristo Music
Last.fm API recommender
Integration into library search engine

16. extreme user testing = 14-25 year olds
http://www.bibnet.be/portaal/Bibnet/Publiekstoepassingen/Bib.fm/

17. 10 interviews of 75 minutes
context, test, evaluation

18. setting in BOHO, Ghent (sewing/knitting café)
open, relax, non-conformist experience

19. Ladda vzw
• centre of expertise on (youth / new) culture
• research + (artistic) projects
• grassroots, bottom up, qualitative

24. Bib.fm ...

25. Frustration - radio or a
musical trip?

26. first impression
• WOW suprise
• I totally did not expect this from a library
• I couldn t imagine anything, but this is better then
anything I could have imagined.
• after first use: many questions, comments, tips, ...
• very different and personal: some patterns!

27. computer says NO
usability efficiency

28. • All of a sudden, these strange numbers
appear ...
• This next button is making me insane, I just
can t seem to figure out what it does exactly.
Grrrr
• If you use backspace, you log out of the system,
and you can not go back to your search history.

30. screen lay out
• Could be bigger, too much scrolling
• Page system does not work right. Page with one result
is ridiculous. Maybe you could use infinity scroll ...
• I like to choose how many items I can see on a page.
Like on webshops ...

31. mainstreamfear
• it would be OK for my mom ...
• It s not complete, totally not, and it s not
possible to listen to all of the songs in the
collection, strange ... frustrating ....
• Only those typical artists, nothing underground

32. • too many
filters
• not the right ones
• very confusing

33. • I prefer to click in stead of drowning in possibilities.
• Soo much information, it takes a while till you
understand ...
• Filter is cool but too many irrelevant elements: language,
tempo, atmosphere
• so many filter - options but not the simple ones you
need. Artists, albums, songs ...
• What does happy, energetic or cosy mean?
• A bit more google in the search engine please.

34. time travelling
in decades please!

35. functionality

36. • I would use it if it has an impressive COMPLETE
content. Including rare things you can not find
elsewhere.
• a good idea to combine other music applications
like Last Fm
• I would really use it if you can have a
personalised account
• I would use it to make playlists, but that is not
possible now ...
• I would like to use it on my I pod ...

37. • from my home, bedroom is cool!
• to discover music
• perfect for musiclovers who want to be informed
• an extra music service besides others
• perfect for things that are not worthwile
downloading, ... shameful things, memory lane
• I would use it if it s free
• If my mom would pay for it ...

38. look en feel
• not horrible
• Simple, sober. OK
• classic
• Not really attractive. Maybe a bit more sleek?
• it s more important that it works fast and easy. If it s fast, I m
not bothered by the look
• It has a bit of a government - style but that s OK for a library
• Youtube does not look hip and fresh. But people love it and
use it anyway

39. Some conclusions,
mechanisms ...
• it s a good idea, but there s a long way to go ...

40. efficiency
• clear
• simple
• fast
• logic
• OR GONE

41. the simpler, the
better ...
• applies not only to young users

42. head check
• leave the head of the librarian

43. clean search +
serendipity
• add accidental and personalised content

44. filters !!!
• endless content: filter focus
• consumer = selection
library = filter management

45. Bib fm assets
• extended collection (new + old,
mainstream + rare)
• independent solid
• fine - free
• local + international

46. challenge =
• Get rid of the bad part of the classical image and
keep the good authentic elements and character!
+ add innovative, high - tech functional

47. the pace of innovation
exceeds our
understanding
the greatest value is in
the mass place
World Creativity Forum 2011 / Malcolm
the organisation that
Gladwell makes the most out of
the innovations, has the
last slide resources
least