The Future of Public Libraries: Matching Innovations to Expectations

1
The Future of Public LibrariesMatching
Innovations to Expectations

• Presented by Joan Frye Williams
• joan_at_jfwilliams.com

2
Warning Library Traditions May Conflict with
Civilian Expectations
3
Expectation 1 24/7 Convenience
4
Full Service Web Site
5
Podcast Programs/Training
6
Netflix-Style Circulation
7
Online Donations
8
Expectation 2Welcoming Spaces
9
Creature Comforts

• Clean
• Full spectrum lighting
• Generous aisle space
• Variety of seating
• Views out
• Quiet and lively zones
• Food and drink

10
Simplified Wayfinding

• Reduced clutter
• Consolidated desks
• Situational directions
• Natural language catalog
• Prepackaged tips, shortcuts, FAQs
• All staff capable of assisting with basic
  navigation and civilian tools

11
Pop-Up Spaces
12
Reinventing Customer Service

• Anticipate!
• Assess
• Match to service
• Escort
• Negotiate referral
• if necessary
• User stays in control

13
Expectation 3Info to Go
14
Library Toolbar
15
User-Supplied Interfaces
16
Life Caching and Mashups
17
Expectation 4Virtual Community Building
18
Recommender Systems/ Collaborative Filtering

• Other people who found this useful also
  recommend
• http//movielens.umn.edu

19
Participation in Social Networks
20
Continuous Partial Attention
21
Expectation 5Customer-Driven Priorities
22
The Library Brand

• Books
• (see 1)

23
Serious Negatives

• Poor signage
• Inhospitable surroundings
• Lack of parking
• Dirt, wear, shabbiness
• Hard-to-use systems
• Inconvenient hours
• Inflexible policies

24
Libraries Are Better than Bookstores for

• Free internet
• Free materials
• Free entertainment
• Book club/story hour
• Comfortable meeting, study areas

25
Libraries Are Better than Search Engines (Google,
etc.) for

• Nada

26
The Public Library Inquiry (1947-50)

• Where would you go to get
• information on nutrition?

27
Reinventing Reference

• Proactive reference
• Virtual reference
• Social network reference
• Reference by appointment
• Librarians on call instead
• of on desk

28
(No Transcript)
29
(No Transcript)