Reflection Blog – Hyperlinked Environments: Sometimes all you need is a little space

As the weeks progress and we continue our exploration of the Hyperlinked library, I am continually reminded about the components that create what would be a library. That it goes beyond the building and the collections inside – it’s the community that it serves and the space that is curated to cultivated the culture and environment of the library itself.

This week we explored Hyperlinked Environments and I took the time to explore what a hyperlinked environment could be. On the surface and within the name – one may assume that a hyperlinked environment is a space that contains that latest technology and the most sophisticated programming. But as I have learned once again, it is how the space and environment is curated to create connections between people, resources, and community. In my last reflection, I explored what hyperlinked communities are and how libraries can create opportunities to build hyperlinked communities through programming – now I am going talk about creating hyperlinked environments that allow these communities to thrive.

Images courtesy of the Hive – Spokane Public Library

There were a number of amazing examples in the hyperlinked public library examples but there was one that stood out to me the most – and that example was the Hive through the Spokane Public Library in Washington. What amazed me was that the resource the space provided was exactly that – SPACE.

FREE TO USE SPACE.

Space that can be used for classes, arts, studying, events…for free. What makes it a hyperlinked environment is not what is in the space but what the space could be used FOR and that opens a plethora of possibilities for it to be used for all of kinds of community events, programming, classes…the very basis for developing a hyperlinked community. This showed me you don’t need much to make a hyperlinked environment – what is most important is the POSSIBILITIES of the space. That possibility makes all the difference.

It made me think about how plants will grow to fill the space they are given, hence why potted plants will often just grow to the size of where they are planted. However, if given the space – they will grow even more. People and communities are like that too. Give them the space and they will grow.

Space to connect. Space to learn. Space to grow.