Post on 27-May-2015
description
the living-room library
@ Tamworth Library
Behind the ‘living-room’ concept
User independence Client-focus Most appropriate
format
Objectives of the ‘living-room library’ concept
Encourage user independence Encourage browsing & exploration Interfile & Integrate (formats, media) Reflect community interests
Acknowledgements
Sue Ryan, Newcastle Library John Stanley, John Stanley Associates
Kay Delahunt, Library Services Manager
Hunter vs Gatherer
Living-room library layout is designed to be more attractive to people ‘just browsing’
Users on the hunt for specific titles / subjects are better served by the catalogue, or by staff
Characteristics of the ‘living-room library’
broad subject “rooms” for all non-fiction items
Characteristics of the ‘living-room library’
comfy furniture, cosy corners
Characteristics of the ‘living-room library’
all formats interfiled in each room
Characteristics of the ‘living-room library’
PAPCs (with Pharos) throughout the library
Characteristics of the ‘living-room library’
“face out” displays
Characteristics of the ‘living-room library’
Room for events
Characteristics of the ‘living-room library’
vending machines
Determining the subject groups
not “one size fits all” community profile analysis of NF loans influenced by the layout of major
bookstores
How it works
Evaluation:
Changed patterns of use• The resources
• The library Shift in clientele Increased loans & visits
Annual loans
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
Annual visitor count
2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
People just use it
No instructions required!
Law & Business, and LIAC
the foyer, level 1
The ‘Knit-In’
The ‘island’
Background reading Casey, M. & Stephens, M. (2009). ‘It’s fine to drop
Dewey’, Library Journal, July, p.19. Fister, B. (2009). ‘The Dewey dilemma’, Library
Journal, October 1, p.22-25 Rix, W. (2009). ‘Reference collections and staff:
retaining relevance’, The Reference Librarian, 50:3, 302-305.
Singer, C. A. (2010). ‘Ready reference collections: a history’, Reference & User Services Quarterly, 49:3, 253-264.
Wigell-Ryynanen, B. (2005). ‘In real life’, Scandinavian Public Library Quarterly, Vol.4, p.3.
The Reference collection Quick-reference only shelved separately
The Reference collection
Not for Loan items interfiled