Libraries are evolving from primarily being spaces that lend books and media to becoming community hubs that support a variety of uses through their spaces and resources. As technologies and needs change, libraries are reimagining their physical spaces and roles to better serve patrons and communities by supporting events, collaboration, exploration, and as a gateway to public internet access and digital resources. Libraries now aim to provide an improved customer experience by catering to different needs, promoting activities and events, and becoming more central and integral organizations within their communities.

1. Supporting libraries as their role in a
community fundamentally changes.
Pascal Lola & Jeff Wain

2. Technology and pedagogical shifts
are redefining what a “library” is.

3. Libraries are evolving.
Joshua Prince-Ramus. (Feb. 2006). TED talk on Seattle’s public library
http://www.ted.com/talks/joshua_prince_ramus_on_seattle_s_library.html
Laskujärvi, M & Toivonen, L. (2008). Changing physical library space: Planning and design of new academic library.
Tampere University Library, Tampere, Finland.

4. Libraries are already public spaces.
How can you take advantage of this?

5. Idea stores
United Kingdom
Top: Flickr user darapo. Untitled. Retrieved on 09.15.2011.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/kirabelle9/2075482931/.
Left: Entressen kirjasto. Idea Store Bow. Retrieved on 09.15.2011.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/entressenkirjasto/4493339202/ .

6. Vancouver Public
Library Vancouver, BC
Left: Flickr user unablefish. Vancouver Public Library <3 <3 <#. Retrieved on 09.15.2011.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/88/242578742_8e9f1a9998_z.jpg?zz=1
Top: Susan Gittins. Vancouver 2010 Olympiad Performance. Retrieved on 09.15.2011
http://www.flickr.com/photos/susangittins/4006054480/

7. One example…
Library = Gateway to public internet access.
From 2010 to 2011, 70% of libraries reported a rise in internet
use.
>75% reported insufficient resources to meet demand.
“Data from the 2010-2011 Study present libraries grappling with a “new normal” of
flat or decreased funding, paired with increased demand for public library
technology resources. The result is a mix of the grim austerity, reflected in
decreased operating hours and closed library outlets, in contrast with the robust
delivery of technology resources that support workforce development, e-
government services, and skills training for the competitive global marketplace.”
2010 to 2011 Public Library Funding & Technology Access Study. (2011). American Library Association.
http://www.ala.org/ala/research/initiatives/plftas/2010_2011/index.cfm#final%20report

8. Cater to people who need space
to work and collaborate.
Draw inspiration from the space.

9. Help libraries become a community hub.
Blyberg, J. (2010). The Third Place. Darien Library. Presentation.
http://www.slideshare.net/jblyberg/the-third-place
Dreman, S. (Mar. 2009). The ‘library of the future’ begins to emerge. Palo Alto Online News.
http://www.paloaltoonline.com/news/show_story.php?id=11573
Miller, R. (Aug. 2008). Future-Proof Your Library. Library Journal.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/article/CA6585850.html
Scheppke, J. (Aug. 2011). Public Libraries That are Future Ready. Oregon State Library. SLA.
http://futureready365.sla.org/08/24/public-libraries-that-are-future-ready/
Sutter, J. (Sep. 2009). The future of libraries, with or without books. CNN.
http://articles.cnn.com/2009-09-04/tech/future.library.technology_1_metropolitan-library-librarians-books?_s=PM:TECH

10. NO Resource management.
W
Provide an improved customer experience.
Event-focused, not just event listings.
Support people.
Encourage exploration.
Be the backbone of change.
FUT
URE Reimagining spaces.

11. Provide an improved Event-focused, not Support people. Encourage Be the backbone of
customer just event listings. exploration. change.
experience.
Provide an improved Promotion of spaces and Building trust and reliance Activity-centric Be the support network.
customer experience. events should be on what libraries have to promotion. Libraries have become
highlighted. offer.
Rethink designs from the What’s going on? community hubs.
public’s perspective, not Bringing in new groups. Leverage librarian ability. What’s popular? Community hubs
the library’s. Allowing easy use of Vet all inquiry through What are others doing? connected within a single
What’s available?
Draw insights from space. librarians. shared network.
exemplars. Help people gain critical
Availability and content Leverage available spaces. Have lent a helping hand
mass to hold events.
A great design can create become more important in this change.
Acknowledge resources.
an open invitation to try than the booking process. Expand network to Helped fundamentally
and create new things. Begin to build a community spaces
Begin to offer and change the way libraries
community network of outside the library
Draw on the success of promote events and are perceived. Allow
resources: network.
others, don’t start by spaces, highlighting what libraries to reappropriate
people, knowledge, space
recreating the wheel. libraries have to offer. Incorporation of other physical spaces based on
s, and events.
spaces begins the move want and need.
Supporting events and from “library” to
working creatives is a community spaces.
stepping stone to helping
Cater to curiosity,
libraries rethink their
exploration, knowledge-
spaces.
sharing.

12. Provide an improved Event-focused, not just Support people. Encourage exploration. Be the backbone of
customer experience. event listings. change.
Success criteria for patrons.
It is simple to use. I like using this space. I have support; I’m not What can I do? It’s easy and enjoyable to
I want to use this to book I can see the possibilities. alone in planning. Why not go there? find places to go.
my event. Availability and content This is significantly better A lot of things I’m My community feels
View, not trial and error. are first. than a conference center. interested in are going on. better connected.
I trust my library. I never realized all this I can’t believe how much I love working here.
I like using my library to was happening. this space has to offer. I can see new ideas.
meet and work. I never knew I could work I’m able to garner interest
there. in my ideas quickly.
Success criteria for libraries.
Increased and more Increased Spaces are fully utilized. People specifically want to Perceptions changed.
frequent use of our number, frequency, and Spaces have changed to fit use our spaces. Have become community
facilities. diversity of events. patron needs. New people come here to hubs.
More interest in utilizing Increased use of public Librarians are in work and play. All walks of life using the
library space. library space by non- demand, not just space. Our spaces are easier to space.
Patrons want to use our referential public. Fundamental types of use access and convenient. Reappropriate space to
systems. Becoming a leader in are changing. We now cater to a diverse meet demand and need.
We love using Evanced. providing event and range of needs and People love coming here
meeting spaces. activities. to work.
Success criteria for Evanced Solutions.
Higher rate of adoption by New methods of use Begin to provide a Robust network of Have transitioned into a
libraries. support changing use of network of information. information in place support network.
Achieved delight, not just library space. Reliance on Evanced to connecting all different Have changed perceptions
satisfaction. Desire to use Evanced to ensure spaces . types of locations. of how libraries can be
Venues want to use this increase use of venues’ People know they can rely Exploration is supported. and are used.
solution. spaces. on us to find available Additional venues begin This network supports a
We now provide a great spaces through reliable to use our offerings. community, not just a
way of managing events. recommendations. We connect communities. library.

13. Provide an improved customer experience.

14. Exemplars
Dead simple booking.
Easy access to details.
Inviting communities.
Encourage exploration.
Customer engagement:
People want to buy.

25. Event-focused, not just event listings.
Move from a solution of calendar and resource booking to
promoting spaces, places, and what’s happening.

26. Transition to a network of events and spaces
people can explore and within which they
can find something new and interesting.
Focus:
• Promoted events
• Interest / Attendance
• Librarian-promoted
• What’s going on

27. Support events and people.
Help libraries understand they can do the things their
competition is doing.
E-books aren’t their real competition.

28. Leverage librarians.
“The librarian isn't a clerk who happens to work at a library.
A librarian is a data hound, a guide, a sherpa and a
teacher. The librarian is the interface between reams of
data and the untrained but motivated user.” - Seth Godin
Seth Godin. (May 2011). The Future of the Library.
http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2011/05/the-future-of-the-library.html

29. Encourage exploration!

32. Be the backbone of change.

33. Thanks. Any questions?