Comments on: New Libraries Revitalize Cities

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 21:22:55 +0000

“A mixed-use, multimedia complex that is meant to foster social interaction and creative ferment as much as reading and research…”

Since when is “reading and research” an activity apart from “creative ferment” and “social interaction?”

Although this article seems to rely on the “shushing librarian” stereotype when it makes its points, I do agree that a well-placed library can assist in urban development, and certainly have a better chance of doing so than the “convention centers” that have been built in some downtown areas as a means of revitalized the areas. I am thinking specifically of the convention center in my home (Tacoma, WA) that is empty most of the time, not routinely used by community members even when events happen, and vacant at night. Its location actually separates two centers of activity in the downtown area. A library/meeting space/cinema would have been a much better use of that space.

By: JHF

JHF — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 18:51:49 +0000

Interesting and relevant article, Jon. I fear “Anonymous” is a bit out of touch with the up and coming generation/s. I do not “like” the fact that only 50% of my children (=young adults, in their lower 20s) reads book regularly. Neither reads a newspaper, nor magazines. Even the one who does enjoy reading books spends most of her life on the computer or texting on the cell phone. So to have libraries “think creatively” and come up with alternative ways of existing is not a negative thing. We want communities. Where I live (suburb of medium-sized midwestern state capital city) we have no community in the true sense…no central space where people can come together…just malls and asphalt. So now that the voters have agreed to a library (with some whining by the conservatives about taxes going up) many of us see it, not just as a library, but as a way to pull the isolated atoms out of their shells and create community.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Mar 2010 17:03:00 +0000

Seems to me that libraries should also be situating themselves at the center of public wifi efforts. With all the e-books happening, wouldn’t it be smart to support the next urban information infrastructure? Imagine your virtual library access anytime from anywhere, including cell phones.

By: Vince

Vince — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 15:04:40 +0000

The new “mediaspace” you describe sounds like a place where people would go to be caught up in a whirl of mindless activity and swirling information. I’ve been to the new library in Salt Lake and noticed that the attempt to include retail was not successful. In all other ways, though, that library is fantastic. It’s well designed as a place for learning, thinking, conducting research, and being inspired by the mountains. I think it’s hard enough for libraries to remain focused, with all the new and shifting streams of information they have to manage. I don’t think they should get distracted by adding other functions.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:22:39 +0000

Though I am a purist when it comes to THE LIBRARY, I do love the verve of the Seattle library architecture. A well written article that allows plenty of room for further exploration. I hate the idea of a swimming pool in a library or a gym. Mmmmmmonumental bad idea.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 14:18:25 +0000

I love the verve of the Seattle library. A very well-written article, leaving lots of room for further discovery and thought.

By: CarFreeInBigD

CarFreeInBigD — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 03:50:22 +0000

I felt vertigo for the first time ever in the Seattle public library. The building felt like it was collapsing all around me. I was so disoriented, I felt compelled to get out as soon as possible. Furthermore, the “reading room” was incredibly loud due to its design. I’ve spoken to several other people, other architects no less, that have all felt the same way. Let’s not confuse “novel” design with good design.

By: JMLampert

JMLampert — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 23:34:18 +0000

Wow-what an exciting idea! Well done Jonathan.

By: hovaard

hovaard — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:46:33 +0000

hate it

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 02 Mar 2010 21:20:01 +0000

Mr. Lerner, your article seems to take the pie-in-the-sky statements of these librarians and administrators at face value. What evidence do they have to suggest that this new “hybrid” library model is effective? What’s the fiscal impact of this shift: will library services become cheaper, more expensive or stay the same? It seems to me that the core mission of a public library is to provide patrons with free and comprehensive access to reading material and other information; until that mandate has been demonstrably satisfied, libraries have no business pursuing other objectives, particularly as some sort of expensive “replacement polis”.