BUILDING A PUBLIC LIBRARY FROM SCRATCH/
Building a Public Library from Scratch
Global? Regional? Local?
Physical? Virtual?
What is the "next" library and how do you start to make it happen? If there was no library in your community and no one had the experience of using a public library, what would you do to create one?
Most communities, as they plan a public library, draw upon their existing experience with the libraries they currently have. Then, their new libraries are a variation or adaptation of a familiar institution in terms of collections, technology, staff and services.
If you start with nothing and plan a library from the very beginning, what would you include? What would you exclude? Think big about the future. Challenge your ideas about what public libraries are now.
/ Susan Kent and June Garcia, Library Strategies International, USA
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COMMENTS/
But how? AMazing!
If there wasn't a public library - would you create one? if yes, what would it be like?
This was the main frame for this workshop, which was structured as an open discussion/panel debat. The participants were divided into two groups - and again into smaller groups. Everyone got the same 3 questions, but meanwhile the half of the participants had to be positive to the argument, the other half had to be negative. After the discussions 3 representatives from each perspective had an open panel debat about the topics:
# 1. The Public Library is an outdated institution
# 2. A well-designed Public Library Building is essential for innovative Library Service
# 3. Public Libraries shold be publicly funded
Such a set-up requires topmotivated, well-skilled and committed people to succeed - and that was exactly what occur these morning; there was many, many existing discussion and well-perspectived arguments. Some of the debater were so immersive, that they forgot if the argument went their way - and in some way it didn't matter. Because this exercise was much more to open our minds and reflect about essential subjects we often take for given - and to see things from other perspecitves and point of views. It is always fruitful.