LIBR-287 reflection, week 1
This week's material highlights the impact the physical library setting has on patrons' experiences. The article Libraries Open Doors, Data to Digital Art Displays describes a digital display at Wyoming's Teton County Library. The library patron becomes a collaborator with the display, as each catalog query is the catalyst for a light to glow based on the subject of the search. Each user's effect on the digital artwork is temporary, but the setting of the library is permanently changed. Library patrons stopping and watching the lights are indicative of the success of this project. A solitary action becomes a shared experience. Of course, not all libraries can install such an intricately engineered display. Instead, we can take away the fact that library visitors like to feel that they have an effect on their environment.I'm sure that this is one reason for the success of the Idea Box at the Oak Park Public Library in Illinois, which has patrons essentially create the exhibits with their responses to a given theme. The Idea Box is a constantly changing space, making it attractive even for those who have already been. Monthly, the exhibit changes entirely. Daily, new patrons add to the display. Once a patron adds to the display, they have become a co-creator and may feel that they have a stake in what happens with the display following their contribution.
Knowing how the physical setting effects patrons is particularly important when establishing participatory spaces. In the article Making Room for Innovation, the authors say that
"Libraries tend to be high-polish, monumental environments designed to impress. They’re not spaces that say 'try things.'"
Makerspaces and other participatory areas ask the patron to interact with the library and the library community in ways that often defy their usual actions in a library. A sense of ownership over space is one way to make patrons comfortable in participating in these areas.
I really appreciate the quote you posted from "Making Room for Innovation." That helps me to think about why my library seems so hesitant to change or experiment. We try new programs, but that's at least a six month process with planning and preparing to publicize it. Our Discovery Zone is a multi-year project with pretty fixed ideas of what it will include. It could morph over time...though the elements I've heard about seem pretty set in stone. I know that the Idea Box didn't just appear over night, but it definitely has the advantage of being a completely blank space that the library can play with...see what works best, and what's a dud. I think you pulled out some great thoughts on how we can apply this to any library. Library users want to feel like they can impact their environment and their library. And libraries should be more open to trying things, in whatever way they can manage.
ReplyDelete"Library users want to feel like they can impact their environment and their library." YES. This is the whole key. If you can find a way to do this, it will be successful. The whole notion of a solitary action becoming a shared experience is rooted in this concept. Wonderful.
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