SIMMERING IDEAS

New Library Behaviors

• Optimal Placement for New Lockers:

Due to the lack of light in the basement, it would be an optimal space for a number of lockers within the controlled stack area. Those could be reserved daily by those who use the library throughout the day and want to keep their personal items (laptops, iPads, overcoats, etc.) in the library while they are going from the study space, to the café, to meeting and then again back to the library. It is inconvenient to carry all of your items with you all day when you know you would be coming back to the library throughout the day. The locker operates differently from the hold shelf or the carrel. There should be shelves where one can keep their books for an extended period of time, but since most of these are monitored by staff, it is impossible to store personal items in the carrel area. To discourage the use of the locker for an extended period of time, they should exist for convenience sake, perhaps for the 24 hour period.

Cushioned Desk: Similar to an Ostrich Pillow designed by Kawamura Gandjavian, the desk can be converted to a cushion where one can place their head to take a power nap. Hygiene is, of course, a concern, so either we implement a replaceable cover or one can supply their own “pillowcase” if this is necessary.

Jeff suggested incorporating music in the nap areas. Since Widener east and west sections are closed off from one another, it is possible to make one half of the floor a quiet zone, while the other one can incorporate relaxing music. It might become a more pleasant space to walk through. The volume can be kept to a low level. To discourage students from continuously sleeping in the carrels, there could be a periodic light that goes off to wake them up to denote an alarm. Guards should come around before the library closes to make sure no one stays overnight.

• Ergonomic Laptop Support:

Another installation can be an ergonomic laptop support. First of all, it should move up and down to accommodate different bodies. It should be easy to adjust. It can be a surface with possible options to place not only a laptop but also open books, an iPad, a phone and perhaps a cup holder.

• Soft Nook:

There could also be nooks for studying that integrates a carpeted zone for lounging and reading. The fact that it is carpeted reduces echoing propagating through the space, but on the other hand this kind of installation should be implemented in public spaces to prevent people from using it solely for sleeping. If a chair is uncomfortable to spend hours of reading in, why not sit on the floor or on a pillow? This is rather informal, but people in many third world countries, who sit on the ground or floor instead, have retained the ability to sit upright without back support—otherwise known as ‘autonomous’ or ‘active’ sitting [http://www.zafu.net/whatswrong.html]. This is actually conducive for a better posture if practiced over an extended period of time.

• Cushioned Seats:

Create cushions for certain seats to make students spend more time in the carrels.