Paper presented by [Olaf Eigenbrodt] at the IFLA Library Buildings and Equipment Satellite Meeting, Illinois Institute of Technology, Chicago. Aug. 10-11, 2016.

1. Opportunistic incrementalism as a strategy
for user driven design of library spaces
The step-by-step refurbishment of State and University Library Hamburg
Collaborative Strategies for Successful Library Design and Innovative Use
Olaf Eigenbrodt
Chicago, August 10, 2016

2. Opportunistic Incrementalism?
The context
The role of stakeholders and the library
Our approach to opportunistic incrementalism
User involvement to User Centred Design
Lessons learned
Outlook
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3. Opportunistic Incrementalism?
• Development under certain limitations
• Urban development: achieving a goal step by step
• Big approach – small projects (Bostick/Forrest 2013)
• Flexible adjustment of pace and scale
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4. State and University Library Hamburg
• Four buildings 1885 – 1982
• Old structure listed / whole campus protected
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5. Building complex and complex buildings
• Each building has individual issues
• No existing masterplan
• Safety and security regulations
• Architectural qualities
• Modular but not multifaceted
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6. Stakeholders & patrons
• Independent state institution funded by the parliament
• Responding directly to the ministry of science and research
• Main library service provider for University of Hamburg
• 27% of patrons are not members of any HE institution
• Serving different communities with various needs
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7. A space for the city
• Place for academic, cultural, and political events
• Active part of the city's cultural and academic life
• Public attention and political awareness
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8. Challenges & opportunities
• Responsibility vs. autonomy
• Funding project by project
• Concurrent building projects
• Inhouse planning team
• Building administration
• Architects and contractors
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9. Our approach to opportunistic incrementalism
• No budget for a new building or a major refurbishment
• Focus on maintaining structures before 2010
• Isolated projects caused a messy and inconsistent appearance
• Uncertainty about future needs
• Small projects are easier to deal with
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10. New Reference and Information Centre
• Launched as exemplary project in 2011
• Successful layout and design
• Blending the qualities of a 1970s design with an updated look & feel
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11. The visible and the invisible: communication
Visible projects:
• Modernisation of public spaces
• New guiding system
• Automatisation of services
• Sanitary facilities
Invisible projects:
• Air conditioning
• Roofs
• Safety and security systems
• Data wiring
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12. Personal benefits and identification: staff involvement
• Staff is a major driver for change as all projects affect staff
• Identification requires attractive conditions
• Modernisation of staff lounge and tea kitchens
• New furnishing and renovation of offices step by step
• Redevelopment of non-functional office space
• New spaces for meetings and brainstorming
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13. User Involvement to User Centred Design
• User involvement sneaked in
• No strategic approach at the beginning
• Positive reactions and good outcomes
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14. Method mix
• Quantitative and qualitative research
• Prototyping and evaluations
• Creative approaches, design workshops
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15. • Flexible, transparent, and involving planning processes
• Prototyping, evaluation, and error culture
• Incidental implementation of Design Thinking
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UCD and opportunistic incrementalism

16. • Federal program for improving student learning space
• Project started with POE and workshops for users and staff
• Planning phase will be driven by UCD elements
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Example: Reading Roms

17. Lessons learned
• Managing different projects and interests requires flexible tools
• Opportunistic incrementalism is a chance for implementing UDC
• Earlier implementation of UDC would have made things easier
• Collaborative processes require human resources
• Importance of staff involvement
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18. Conclusion
• A flexible masterplan is the key to success
• UDC is changing our way of planning library space
• Process orientation helps us to become learning institutions
• Implementation of Design Thinking is a step by step approach
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19. Thank you very much for your attention
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Olaf Eigenbrodt
State and University Library Hamburg
olaf.eigenbrodt@sub.uni-hamburg.de
+49-40-428383344
www.sub.uni-hamburg.de
facebook.com/stabihh
@oskarfagel
Olaf Eigenbrodt