2012 Kay Poustie OAM Travel Scholarship
What makes a successful public library?
An investigation into the qualities and features that
make libraries great
Kirstie Nicholson
• Incongruity between statements that the
book’s days are numbered and the reality that
circulation of physical books remains a
library’s core business.
• The conflict between reports of the decline of
public libraries and the continued investment
in huge new statement library buildings.
• The priority of technology for libraries.
Libraries
The Netherlands
Amsterdam Public Library (OBA)
DOK Library Concept Centre in Delft
Denmark
Copenhagen Main Library
Copenhagen University & Royal Library
Sweden
Malmö Library
United Kingdom
Tower Hamlets’ Idea Stores
British Library
Cardiff Central Library
Manchester Central Library
Liverpool Central Library
Children’s Library, OBA
Copenhagen Main Library
Ariadni Thread, http://flic.kr/p/dq46w4 ; Retrieved 21/1/13.
DOK
DOK Delft Library, http://flic.kr/p/4AUfny ; Retrieved 3/1/13.
The Romance Room, DOK
DOK Delft Library, http://flic.kr/p/4AUmeG ; Retrieved 3/1/13.
Black Diamond, Copenhagen
VisitCopenhagen, http://flic.kr/p/85NNeW ; Retrieved 7/2/13
Cardiff Central Library
Bookmouse, http://flic.kr/p/azWRwP ; Retrieved 18/2/13.
Idea Store Whitechapel
Idea Store, http://flic.kr/p/4aEoY3 ; Retrieved 21/1/13.
Idea Store Bow
Idea Store, Idea Store Bow, http://flic.kr/p/9isX3B ; Retrieved 21/1/13
OBA
Malmö Library
Black Diamond, Copenhagen
DOK Library Concept Centre, Delft
DOK Delft Library, http://flic.kr/p/4AQcN8 ; Retrieved 3/12/12.
DOK
DOK Delft Library, http://flic.kr/p/4AUrvL ; Retrieved 3/1/13.
Write Idea Festival event, Idea Store Whitechapel
Idea Store, http://flic.kr/p/dvp2j5 ; Retrieved 21/1/13
Copenhagen Main Library
Art Library, DOK
L: DOK Delft Library, http://flic.kr/p/4AQ8VF ; Retrieved
3/1/13
R: Sarah Houghton, http://flic.kr/p/9Zdw13 ; Retrieved
7/2/13
Idea Store Whitechapel
Idea Store, http://flic.kr/p/9iw5zo ; Retrieved 21/1/13
Directional signage at DOK
Malmö Library’s Calendar of Light
Malmö Library’s Calendar of Light
Entrance to Balagan
Part of Balagan
The library for 9-12 year olds, Balagan, at
Malmö Library
The Rotunda & Information Desk at OBA
Non Fiction Shelves, DOK
Manchester Central Library Restoration
Due to re-open 2014
Manchester City Council, http://flic.kr/p/a2FgRY ;
Retrieved 1/3/13
Liverpool Central Library Restoration
Due to re-open May 2013
Liverpool City Council, http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-englandmerseyside-20972053 ; Retrieved 1/3/13
One Focus
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Liverpool: Understand your local population and make the service relevant to the local
community, seek partnerships and identify priorities.
Manchester: Improving literacy. This improves life skills and opportunities.
Cardiff: Stock – all surveys highlight that people want new books and of a good breadth;
outreach programmes.
Idea Stores: The place and physical space. Even in an era of digital content you need a
place which people visit and own. There is very little space which is non-commercial – if
you have no money, then where do you go?
Malmö: Flexibility of the physical space – wheels on everything, electricity points
everywhere.
Copenhagen: Supporting reading skills and guiding people towards quality reading
material
OBA: Good opening hours.
DOK: A local focus. Local information – people won’t find this on global online vendors.
It’s good to work with other local services. Anything that is not local you should do with
other libraries.
Qualities
• A focus on the library building and recognition of the importance of
an attractive building that people want to spend time in.
• A focus on a full events programme.
• A holistic approach to people’s needs within the library space.
• A wish for customers to see the space as relaxed and personal and
an effort to humanise staff.
• A desire to evoke their visitor’s imagination and creativity and to
create a place of inspiration.
• A desire for greater accessibility through opening hours.
• The use of art.
• A willingness to work in partnership, most often with events, but also
for funding initiatives and the building of new libraries.
• Planning and action.
10 Actions
• Provide wi-fi.
• Integrate art into your building and events.
• Define your customer approach and know what experience you want
your patrons to have when they visit.
• The location of the library is important. Know your preference for
the location of your building and document it if possible.
• Have broad opening hours and plans to further widen them. Seven
day a week opening at your central branch, and overall making
opening hours consistent.
• A sustainable and dynamic events programme.
• Plan, have goals and have the ability to articulate your approach.
• Make the library space attractive and of high quality and plan for
periodic renewal of the environment.
• Provide good quality food and drink options.
• Make better use of the knowledge your staff already have.
Thank you
• Applications for 2013 Scholarship now
open
• Make a donation
• Contact details
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Kirstie Nicholson
Resources Librarian, City of Armadale
9399 0135
knicholson@armadale.wa.gov.au