Still, the books keep coming: Even with increasing numbers of e-journals and ebooks, US college and university libraries collect more than 25 million print volumes every year, on top of the more than 1.1 billion print items already held, according to the National Center for Educational Statistics’ Academic Libraries 2004. Where are these books getting shelved? … Continue reading Winning the Space Race
Libraries accumulate more piles of things and collections than you can imagine. Pare these down to manageable portions prior to the move. Perhaps it’s the physical space that separates the items to be moved that allows them to seem small. Be aware that, when combined, these piles and collections will grow exponentially when you actually … Continue reading Why Didn’t Anyone Tell Me?
Welcome to the 2014 Library Design Showcase, our annual celebration of new and newly renovated libraries. These libraries are shining examples of innovative architecture that address user needs in unique, interesting, and effective ways. Open Spaces Frederick E. Berry Library and Learning Commons, Salem (Mass.) State University The new learning commons at Salem State is … Continue reading The 2014 Library Design Showcase
Progress has been made in closing the digital divide between computer-based tools and infrastructure, but an equally debilitating digital divide in internet literacy affects the American public, according to “Responding to the Second Wave of the Digital Divide,” a briefing of local government, public-policy, and library experts held May 6 at the National Press Club … Continue reading Responding to the Second Wave of the Digital Divide
American Libraries is now accepting submissions for the 2014 Library Design Showcase, our annual feature celebrating new and newly renovated or expanded libraries of all types. The showcase will be featured in our September/October 2014 issue. We are looking for libraries that are shining examples of innovative architecture and that address patrons’ needs in unique, … Continue reading Library Design Showcase Submissions Open
I’ve never been to Ketchikan, Alaska, but I wouldn’t mind being there right now, contemplating the amazing vista of woods and mountains from the Ketchikan Public Library windows. I’d be happy to check out the reading room view from the Spartanburg County (S.C.) Public Libraries’ Middle Tyger branch, too, watching the river tumbling over rocks. These … Continue reading Dreamy Reading Rooms and More
The first step is to form a building committee that represents various constituencies: political representatives of the wider community, the library board of trustees, the professional staff, frequent library users, interested citizens, and donors. All have vital ideas and opinions. The design process involves analyzing the physical and cultural setting for the building, preparing a … Continue reading Melding Minds to Make a Library
More than one-third of US adults and nearly 17% of children and adolescents were obese in 2009–2010, according to a January 2012 data brief from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics. Those numbers mean that every public service facility in the country—including libraries—should be prepared to meet the needs … Continue reading Is Your Library Plus-Size Friendly?
The following libraries are winners of the 2013 Library Building Awards, sponsored by the American Institute of Architects (AIA) and ALA’s Library Leadership and Management Association. For the past 50 years, the biennial award has recognized distinguished accomplishment in library architecture by an architect licensed in the United States for any library in the US … Continue reading AIA/ALA Library Building Awards
Welcome to the 2013 Library Design Showcase, AL’s annual celebration of new and newly renovated libraries. These libraries are shining examples of innovative architecture that addresses user needs in unique, interesting, and effective ways. Rooms with a View Spartanburg County (S.C.) Public Library—Middle Tyger Branch Middle Tyger library’s renovation took full advantage of the … Continue reading Building the Future
This is the final week to submit your library for American Libraries’ 2013 Library Design Showcase, our annual feature celebrating the best new and newly renovated or expanded libraries of all types. The deadline for submissions is Friday, May 31. We are looking for libraries that are shining examples of innovative architecture and that address … Continue reading Last Call for 2013 Library Design Showcase Submissions
Has your library ever thought about using technology and communitywide projects to connect with customers? It’s not easy to pull off, but if you’re successful, your library can make new friends and contacts and can provide useful knowledge or entertainment for the community along the way. Topeka, where David works, has done a number of … Continue reading Community Connections
