Library Design Begins Shift Toward Crossroads

Library Design Begins Shift Toward Crossroads

James R. Mumby, AIA, LEED AP and Alison A. Ernst, MLS
As printed in College Planning & Management, June 2003

Though academic and public libraries serve different populations, they have more in common today than ever before. Both are service institutions that must strive to meet the needs of the communities they serve. Both have clearly grown beyond a mission of simply housing books and other media, and serving as a formal gateway to information resources. The role of all libraries has shifted considerably, with the potential for these facilities to evolve into the intellectual, cultural, virtual and physical crossroads of their communities.

Adapting to Change
This potential can only be realized, however, if libraries adapt to the challenges that society presents. In recent years, both academic and public libraries have lost much of their "captive audiences" as a result of both cultural and technological changes. Coffee shops and bookstores have emerged as cultural gathering places in many communities, enriching the concept of the "community living room" by offering compelling programming, a comfortable environment, intellectual recreation and a place to "see and be seen."

Technological shifts - most notably the broad accessibility to information via the Internet - have also resulted in a diminished view of the value of the library experience and resources. Today's students turn to electronic resources before approaching traditional print materials.

Public libraries, responding to competition from coffee shops and bookstores, have taken steps to recapture their audience. They have undertaken formal initiatives to research user needs and develop appropriate and responsive library service plans, which, in turn, inform the design of the physical space of the building. For example, public libraries are now more likely to include comfortable, informal seating for relaxing and reading independently or talking in small groups. While still reserving "quiet" retreat spaces, they are providing clustered seating, collaborative work environments, and conference and meeting rooms. They have also increased their programming, offering diverse options in lectures, readings, panel presentations, films and the performing arts; as well as an increased array of library-based publications, displays and exhibits.

Becoming a Crossroads Institution
In our view, academic libraries should take advantage of the trial and error experience of public facilities. To discount the successful evolution of public libraries - in terms of applicable lessons learned - would be a missed opportunity for libraries serving the higher education mission today.

What is required to become a true crossroads facility on the academic campus? Here's a look at some of the basic elements:

1. Intellectual Crossroads
a. A place for student/faculty and student/student interaction
b. 24/7 access
c. Opportunity and space for collaborative work: teaching and learning
d. Information literacy, lifelong learning skills for the information age

2. Cultural Crossroads
a. A gathering place
b. Programming and display spaces: art, speakers, student/faculty work, intimate performing arts setting
c. Reinforces culture of institution
d. Validation of campus identity

3. Virtual Crossroads
a. Onsite access to Internet, commercial databases and electronic references
b. Offsite access to electronic resources and library catalog from remote locations

4. Physical Crossroads
a. "Living room of student life," offering comfortable seating and refreshments

b. Out-of-residence hall study space

c. Commuter student respite

d. Physical hallmark for institution

e. Place of acclimation for new and foreign students

Libraries have long served as both the intellectual and symbolic heart of our nation's academic campuses. It's clear that this stature has begun to erode, however, as students seek other stimulating and welcoming environments in which to gather - now that technology ensures that they can continue to gain access to the information resources they need. In order to compete effectively, it's time to dust off and update service plans and create the kind of environment that will support the changing mission of today's academic libraries.

Alison Ernst is director of Academic Resources at the Northfield Mount Hermon School and past president of the Western Massachusetts Regional Library System.

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