Learning from others....

 

We don't need to invent the wheel.  Librarians have always been really willing to share their ideas with other librarians and to learn from others.  Here are some links to photos of other libraries and makeover ideas.

 

Here are some links to photographs of other libraries on the wiki.

 

Salt Lake Public Library--"The City Library"

 

San Jose

 

Scandinavian Libraries

 

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Do we dare?  Read about a public library that is doing away with Dewey.  (JLo: just so everyone knows--I'm not suggesting this, merely proving an interesting source for discussion of how we provide service)

 

[Skip:  One comment on this article caught my attention:  "One of the 'laws' of libraries is 'Save The Time Of The Reader'. If you arrange your books into good categories, have a physical layout that is conducive to browsing, utilize good signage, etc. then your library may well save people's time if they don't need to use the catalog but can go directly to an area and find what they want.

 

That said... a large number of people come in to libraries looking for specific titles. Directing someone to an area with hundreds of titles - Gardening, let's say - may not work very well if they are looking for that specific book on treating diseases of roses. Not if they have to look through all of the books in that section. While Dewey (or Library of Congress) call numbers may require a learning curve, they would allow retrieval of such specific materials much more quickly. <snip>

 

[Basically, I suspect there is a reason why many libraries are using a hybrid approach that keeps call numbers around while also arranging materials in a more 'bookstore-like' manner.](John3823, May 31, 2007 02:29PM)"]

 

More on the anti-Dewey sentiment:

 

http://bahaiviews.blogspot.com/2007/07/on-reasons-to-drop-dewey-decimal-system.html

 

(on a side note, I love the call numbers on the floor photo from the Seattle Public Library).

 

Also: http://fulton.blogspot.com/2007/05/goodbye-to-dewey.html

 

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Some makeover ideas:

 

Technology ideas

 

Makeover Ideas

 

MODEL LIBRARIES

 

Green Library in south LA (here)

 

Whoa!  Check out the proposed Czech National Library in Prague!

 

Along with learning from other libraries, check out this blog with pictures from some really beautiful libraries around the world.

 

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Not only to other libraires have some great makeover ideas, but check out this marketing campaign brought to you from Wyoming.

 

We all know that our libraries (especially Main) need better signage.  Check out this example on noise level signage here.

 

 

 

 

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