Apologies and the Beinecke

Readers, I want to apologize for my lack of posts. I am feeling quite sick with a cold, but I still wanted to check in and let you know that I am still in this plane, and I anticipate a full recovery by Monday. At least that's what I am hoping for.

Visual Explanations, Classification, and Libraries

I mentioned earlier here that I am in Theory of Classification this semester, and I am really enjoying the course - maybe more so than any of the other courses I have taken for my MSLIS at Syracuse. The texts that Dr. Barbara Kwasnik suggested for the course are dense, but fascinating. Here's a quote from Bowker and Star's Sorting Things Out, one of the readings for the course:

Library Robots

As it does every Wednesday, my American Libraries email from the ALA arrived in my inbox. It's pretty dense, but I usually glean about five articles from each email, and the best article from this week was this one, I think:

Libraries With a Future Responses

It's a busy time for periodicals here at The Dean Files. The new issues of The New Yorker, Dwell, GOOD, ACRL News and College & Research Libraries all arrived within a few days of each other. I am working my way through these, and in an effort to get ahead of the reading, I stayed up a bit late reading the two ACRL publications. I read (and was super proud and happy to read) an article by my good friend, Erin Dorney about a "Job of a Lifetime," which was great. One other article in particular really piqued my interest, Libraries with a Future: How Are Academic Library Usage and Green Demands Changing Building Designs? by Michael Wescott Loder. Of course, I thought to myself "Oooo, Library Design post!" but it really turned into something more than that.

Private Libraries: Alberto Manguel

It has been a while since I have shared a library design post with you all, so I think it's about time. A private library has a variety of meanings, I think. Broadly applied, I can see that almost everyone has a private library, whether it's a collection of 10 or 10,000 books. If you have a collection of books, and it's in your office or your home, I would call it a private library. However, for the purposes of this post, I am going to narrow it down to the very grand idea of a private library - a special room for one's books, or even a separate building. Remember this?

Yale Library Studies

Among the books I read last month, I completed the annual issue of Yale Library Studies. As it dealt with library design and architecture, my interest was especially piqued to read the issue, and I was not disappointed. Wonderfully illustrated, with many great articles, the issue had a great deal to offer. Over the coming weeks, I will discuss with you some of the things I took from my reading of the issue, but for now, allow me to leave you with this quote which I feel is applicable to all libraries:

A question that has exercised more than one University Librarian, however, is how far that truth so evident in stone and metal and wood manifests itself in the interior life of Yale. To what extent do the Library's many buildings embody the ideals and aspirations of the University? Do the scholars and students who use these buildings find in them not just the books and collections but also the environment the need to help them teach and study and learn? And what, in a twenty-first century library system, is the relationship between the virtual environment found on the computer or handheld device and the physical built environment?

I know I already posted this, but I would like to hear your thoughts before I move forward!

Update

Well, it has been ten days since my last update. Sorry. I realize that you, reader, expect to see a post from me every weekday and I have not delivered. I think I am back on top of my blogging skills, so check back Monday. In the meantime, allow me to update you on my summer.

First, as you already know, I am interning at the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame. In their overall collection, they have a collection of about 4500 images of cowgirls - inductees, as well as well-known cowgirls from history. I am working on assessing the collection to determine what has been digitized, if the photos are stored archival, and if the metadata about the photos is appropriate in the collection management software of the museum. Thus far, I have sorted through about 500 images, so I have 4,000 to go. I’ll give some updates now and again as I go through the collection this summer.

Second, I am in management class this summer. It started just last week, so I have very little to report, other than that I ordered my books, and that gave Jen and I an opportunity to order a few books from our respective wish lists. I’ll let Jen tell you about hers if and when she so chooses, but here is a link showing one of the books I bought (and am very excited about reading):

The L!brary Book: Design Collaborations in the Public Schools (Princeton Architectural Press) documents the unique partnership between the New York City Department of Education, the Robin Hood Foundation, and architects, designers, artists and illustrators that has produced 56 libraries (to date) in schools across the five boroughs. Written by Anooradha Iyer Siddiqi...

Check out some of the murals they did:

http://www.pentagram.com/en/new/2009/03/murals-for-the-library-initiat.php

Man, isn’t that cool?

Third, I am still doing work at the Carter in many areas. I still need to catalog that Diderot, but recently I have been working on the library and archives’ elements for the 50th anniversary celebration of the museum, as well as doing some research to support efforts for that project. I can’t tell you much about it, but it really is going to be very cool.

I’ll keep you posted as things go along this summer. You should do the same.

So, reader, what have you been doing??

Yale Library Studies

Reader,

Thanks for bearing with me - the end of the semester has passed, and my work is all turned in. It’s nice to get positive feedback on tasks which required a great deal of work. More on that later.

For now, I want to share with you that I am reading the 2009 issue of Yale Library Studies. This issue examines library architecture at Yale, and more broadly library architecture in general. Expect to see some design related library posts soon. Here’s a snippet:

To what extent do the Library's many buildings embody the ideals and aspirations of the University? Do the scholars and students who use these buildings find in them not just the books and collections but also the environment the need to help them teach and study and learn? And what, in a twenty-first century library system, is the relationship between the virtual environment found on the computer or handheld device and the physical built environment?

How would you answer those questions?

Library for a Writer (Library Design, 4)

As I remember, it was several months ago when my wife pointed out Andrew Berman’s Writing Studio and Library online. As with most of the “candidates” for the library design series, this one stuck with me until I was ready to write about it. Here’s a video about it:






http://www.vimeo.com/1696112









Of course the key difference in this, and the other libraries thus far in the series is that this library and studio was designed for one person, a historian, to do her research and writing. Even though there is a major difference there, the same principles apply to the overall design of the space.

As always, there is plenty of natural light, as you can tell from the massive window overlooking the woods (what a view)! i love the skylight up top as well, providing natural light from overhead, as we saw in Renzo Piano’s Morgan Library reading room. There is a large desk for working, as well as ample shelf space for books. I also really appreciate that the small space has a kitchen and a toilet, both essential to be (in a way) self sufficient.

I must confess, though, that the separate library space has always intrigued me since I first saw Philip Johnson’s separate library and studio, as well as Alberto Manguel’s separate library. I love the concept of a separate place for your books (especially if you work with them as part of your career) and a place for your “living.” For me, though, our books in some way are a reflection of who we are, and so have a rightful place in the home.

As I hinted at above, this space, even though it is for one person, shares the key traits of a “good” library space - natural light, and services close at hand. Naturally, being a private library, there is not a librarian on hand, as the writer serves as her own librarian.

What do you think about this space?

The Morgan Library (Library Design, 3)

Well, this post has been gestating for a while in my brain, and I want to share it with you now. The third installment in the library design series is all about a library I very much want to visit (and work at): The Morgan Library.

The Morgan began as the personal library of the infamous banker and financier, J. Pierpont Morgan. The library was adjacent to his residence (at the time), and the original building’s architects were McKim, Mead & White. McKim designed the exterior as a Italian Renaissance style palazzo in the Palladian tradition. The result was this façade:

(Source: here.)

Personally, I find the exterior very typical of the time in which the original building was contructed (1902-1906) but some architecture critics describe this as McKim’s masterpiece. Looking at the inside, I might agree:

(Source: here.)

The interiors are, like the exterior, very much reflective of the time in which they were constructed. However, they are also reflective of their purpose: for the exclusive use of J. Pierpont Morgan. It is the next event that makes this space unique in this series, as well as in libraries in general (to the best of my knowledge).

After Morgan dies, his son (J. P. Morgan, Jr.) decides that the items in his father’s library are far too important for only private use, and so in 1924 “gives” the Morgan library to the public. This, of course, changes the nature of the collection, as well as the use of the space the collection is housed in. Though I read little about the interim of the use of the building, I can imagine it was less than optimal for visitors and patrons of the library.

This all changes in 2001 when the Renzo Piano Building Workshop is selected for the first major construction project at the Mogan since its initial construction. In 2006, construction is finished, and the additions to the Morgan are widely praised, by both critics and the public alike. Piano’s sensitivity to the needs of the reader and user of the library are evidenced by these images:

(Source: here.)

(Source: here.)


(Source: here.)

(Source: here.)

(Source: here.)


(Source: here.)

From the New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission:
The largest expansion in the Morgan's Library's history, adding 75,000 square feet to the campus, was completed in 2006 after approval from the Landmarks Preservation Commission. Designed by Pritzker Prize–winning architect Renzo Piano, the project increased exhibition space by more than fifty percent and added important visitor amenities, including a new performance hall, a welcoming entrance on Madison Avenue, a new café and a new restaurant, a shop, a new reading room, and collections storage. Piano's design integrates the Morgan's three historical buildings with three new modestly scaled steel-and-glass pavilions. A soaring central court connects the buildings and serves as a gathering place for visitors in the spirit of an Italian piazza.

The final image is of the new Piano-designed reading room, which is a space I think deserves special attention in any library, as it is the space in which patrons interact with the resources of the library - really the essential function (and therefore space) of any library.

As you can see, the reading room is flooded with even, natural lighting. I can only assume that this is not terribly intense, or the light-sensitive rare books of the Morgan are used in a different space. However, if they are used there, what a great space to use them in - well-lit by natural lighting, large tables with lamps, and power outlets. Also, a librarian is close at hand to assist patrons as well as a couple of computers to use the Morgan’s catalog (I assume).

I think this might be my favorite space thus far for four reasons:

The effective re-purposing of the library as reflected in the addition.
The sensitivity of Piano to the existing space and buildings.
Piano’s efforts to make the new space user friendly.
The amazing reading room.

What are your thoughts about this space? Have you ever been there? I’d love to hear from you in the comments!

Phillips Exeter Library (Library Design, 2)

It’s time for the second installment of the Library Design series here at the Dean files, and today we are looking at the Phillips Exeter Academy Library located in Exeter, New Hampshire

This library is designed to hold 250,000 volumes, and it currently houses approximately 162,000 volumes making it the second largest secondary school library in the world. The architect for the library was Louis Kahn. In designing this library, much like he did at the Salk Institute, Kahn thought about the idea in the terms of the medieval monastic library, with its individual areas for each of the scholars. This resulted in the study carrels in the library, which are very cell-like. He also remarked that “A man with a book goes to the light. A library begins that way. He will not go fifty feet away to an electric light.” And finally, his third key concept for the library was that the person in the library should know the purpose of the building, through the presentation of the books. These three concepts united represent the key design elements of the Exeter library. Let’s look at some photos!



Here is the library In Situ on the Exeter campus. Notice all the windows - lots of natural light.



And here is the interior of the great hall - the central space of the library. Kahn wanted to ensure that people in the building knew the purpose of the building - books. Also, you can see all the way through one side to the other.



These are two views of the study carrels. Notice the window shades that the user can interact with to control the amount of natural light they need.



Here is another group study area.

Overall, this is a great library design due to the plentiful amounts of natural light for users, but the books are protected from the sun. Also, the study carrels are great, but there are also “learning commons areas” a concept key in this library, and a bit ahead of its time.


Sources: flickr users kathia shieh, yan.da and Hendrixson

McCarter, R. (2005). Louis I Kahn.

The London Library (Library Design, 1)

Over the course of the past couple of months, I have been expanding my areas of thought in libraries to include library design. On occasion, and with no real schedule, I will share with you some of my favorite library spaces and perhaps talk some about why I like them, as well as why, as a librarian, I feel that they are effective.

Our topic for today is the London Library, one of my favorite libraries worldwide. As a matter of fact, when Jen and I were overseas, we tried to visit, but they were closed. Alas. The London Library is part of a small group of libraries that many Americans see as odd - a membership library - meaning one must pay an annual membership fee (£395) to use (and check out) the library’s collection. The collection itself has more than one million items, with items dating from the 16th century to the present day.

However, let’s talk about what I think is the greatest strength of the London Library - its design. This morning, I saw this image of the new reading room at the London Library, and I knew I wanted to share it with you all:



This is the new Lightwell Reading Room, which opened today. I love the incorporation of the older architectural elements of the building, as well as the use of modern, sleek materials. Beautifully done. More important for the patron, though, is the wonderful natural and artificial light available, as well as the handy reference works on the shelves. I think (unless you already know the London Library) that you will be surprised by the other rooms:





As you can tell, the main reading room is very traditional English, but seems to be well-designed with the patron’s needs in mind - good lighting, comfortable work and seating areas, as well as important reference works close at hand. I don’t see a librarian nearby, though - leading me to ask if it is convenient for the reader to consult their librarian. However, it is a wonderful space, and it is indeed one of my favorite library spaces in the world.

Since you have now seen the reading room, let’s look at the stacks, just for fun:





And let’s conclude with a few shots of the exterior:



What are some of your favorite library spaces? Would you like to see it featured here? Why do you like that space so much? Please let me hear from you in the comments!

Sources:
Images:
http://www.londonlibrary.co.uk/press/General%20library%20images.htm (all images ©2005, The London Library. Fair use rationale: not for profit.)

Text:
London Library. (2010, January 25). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 14:51, February 15, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=London_Library&oldid=339954254

A great idea for libraries, or any public space.

I saw this video recently, and thought I would share it with you all - I think this would be great in a library’s common area! What do you think?