Global Hyperlinked Environments: Libraries for People
In this module, the adventure I chose was examining how international libraries create libraries for people rather than books. Since I live in the United States, I wanted to explore how other countries interpreted this concept and integrated it into their libraries.
U.S. Libraries
According to Stephens (2019), libraries are “the center of urban development and the incubators of community knowledge, bringing together multiple functions in a centralized hub and open, evolving learning spaces” (p. 61). In the U.S., the concept of libraries for people is usually integrated into the programs and services that libraries offer to their communities. For example, my current employer, the L.A. County Library System, offers bookmobile services in some areas within the county. These mobile libraries visit elderly communities, mobile home parks, and schools, and offer the same services the physical branch offers, apart from computer and printing services. In another library system closer to where I live, they offer hold locker kiosks, where patrons can pick up books during both the library’s opening and closing hours. Warner (2024) asserts that these services “bridge service delivery in rapidly expanding communities, serve as a reminder of a strong sense of community, and create more meaningful work and connection for libraries, all while quietly bridging access as their branch counterparts are being built”.
European Libraries
In Europe, the concept of libraries being created for the community has been interpreted differently in many library systems. In Norway, the concept was used to help design and build the Deichman Bjørvika Library. According to Croissant (2021), the Deichman Bjørvika provides the typical services offered in traditional libraries but also contains elements that are not available in many libraries, like a restaurant and cinema. A different library, the Huis van Eemnes, is described by Vos (2020) as a culture house, incorporating “the peaceful surroundings of the library and the dynamics of the sports and culture center” (para. 2). Both the Deichman Bjørvika Library and the Huis van Eemnes are examples of libraries that are designed for people, considering what the community is looking for in a library and designing the building to fulfill the needs and wants of the community.
Of course, architecture and design are not the only ways to create libraries for people. According to Julia Pyatetsky (2015), many libraries in Europe launched programs for Syrian refugees who fled Syria during the civil war. “In Germany, there has been an initiative launched that focuses on not just providing the basic resources of food and shelter to refugees but also offering education and cultural programming to promote integration” (para. 3). Living in the U.S., most immigration resources are in the form of kits containing books, pamphlets, and DVDs. I personally believe that it would be more beneficial for public libraries near our borders to provide services for refugees like the ones provided by European countries to its immigrants. However, this idea is hard to integrate especially due to the political landscape we are in and many people’s perspective on immigrants. Germany’s actions show that their libraries are created to cater, regardless of where they come from.
References
Croissant, M. (2021). This library was just named the best in the world. Matador Network. https://matadornetwork.com/read/best-library-world/?fbclid=IwAR3FtXkZPS2NXlCTguRZWxAiKl5tFSP2v5h7C4lqKpJ3xOqw8GN73qYGhTo
Pyatetsky, J. (2015). Refugees supported by public libraries in Europe. Public Libraries Online. https://publiclibrariesonline.org/2015/11/refugees-supported-by-public-libraries-in-europe/
Stephens, M. (2019). Wholehearted librarianship: Finding hope, inspiration, and balance. ALA Editions.
Vos, A. (2020). The hospitable library of the future. Designing Libraries. https://designinglibraries.org.uk/news/2020-news/the-hospitable-library-of-the-future/
Warner (2024). Revolutionizing public libraries: Three ways that alternative service delivery strategies can meet the challenges of a booming population. Medium. https://medium.com/@lauracwarner/revolutionizing-public-libraries-ff7fed3d12c5
7 Comments
Sue Donnim
@ctaher I think you’ve hit on a key difference between general attitudes in the USA versus Europe right now. How do we reinvent the kind of library spaces we need when there is no political will to support it? We have to advocate for these ideas, that truthfully benefit everyone, in ways that are palatable to the majority of people. And I think that will involve making sure these people are active participants in this (gradual?) change.
Camillia T
Hi Sue,
One of the things that bother me is the lack of funding for public libraries. I dislike it when political figures state that libraries are a waste of taxpayer dollars and they do not make any major contributions to the community. I have worked in two library systems and I have had multiple encounters with people who tell me that when they want a book, they look to see if it is in the library first because those books are too expensive. I think anyone who states that libraries are useless have never stepped foot into a library because if they have, they would truly see how much the public depends on its services.
Kelli
@ctaher this is something I have not thought about before, but despite libraries becoming more like community centers books are still the main focus of libraries. In my library system, they are very focuses on building home libraries for kids. This is the focus of Summer Reading and providing programs like Lunch at the Library where books are given away to the kids that attend. But is this the service people need? As many of the books get donated back to the library it doesn’t really seem like they want to build home libraries when they can check out books. It would be nice to see libraries adapt more for providing services and information for people than centering solely around books and having that as the main core of services and programming provided.
Camillia T
Hi Kelli,
At my library, they only have in-person free tutoring sessions during the summer and as much as I think that it is a great service, I do wish they would provide that service during the school year. As for the donated books, my resolution would be a mini-library for the community. In my city, many nieghborhoods encourage people to leave unwanted books in a small, see through box, which other people can take home. When they are done using the books, they can either keep them or put it back. The people who intend on keeping the books usually donate books in place of the book or books they take, so there is a constant supply of books everywhere. I do wish that more of these mini libraries exsisted throughout the city and maybe some could be placed in front of libraries for people to access.
Kelli
Hi Camillia,
I could see the benefits of having tutoring during the summer, but during the school year definitely be more beneficial as well. We have peer tutoring with kids from the local high school that is run by the school district, but they have been having a hard time staffing it so it’s been very inconsistant, which is unfortunate because it is usually very popular and we get asked for it constantly.
missjennthelibrarian
Hi, Camillia,
You note an insightful difference between US and European libraries. I had not thought of this aspect, but the ease of changes in European libraries to include “non-library-things” makes sense within this context. The US library is heavily based on its collection and this focus is hurting us right now as society continues to evolve and the library is struggling to keep up. I also like the distinction of a “culture house” that you referenced. This opens the door for other avenues to be explored within the library. I wonder how this way of thinking could be applied to US libraries.
Camillia T
Hi Jenn,
One of the things that bothers me about U.S. libraries is that although there is no talking in the library, the library facilities usually lack enough individual spaces for people to talk. The evolution of modern technology has made remote working possible and libraries need to find ways to accomodate for that. When I attended CSUN, the first floor allowed collaboration and people to talk without any restrictions on volume level. The second and third floors were quieter but still allowed people to talk. If people wanted to talk louder there were a multitude of large study rooms that students can both reserve or walk in. The fourth floor was the only floor that nobody was allowed to talk in as it was made for individual study for people who could not study in environements with loud noise and open collaboration. The library also had a cafe and snack bar, access to an archives room, a makerspace, computer labs, and an exhibition room. Compared to European libraries, this may not be alot. However, comparing it to public libraries, this setup is great.