May 2012
3 posts
March 2012
3 posts
WatchNap Carrel Prototype I
February 2012
19 posts
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...
Widener Carrel Problem
The Widener carrels are heavily underused. Although most of them are used as book storage, is there a way to modify the carrels to encourage their use?
The carrels are shared. Up to four people can be assigned to a carrel.
Non-Widener books cannot be left at a carrel; however, they could be locked in the cabinet next to the carrel. Because they are a security risk, materials charged to a...
WatchMy first attempt at making a video recording my research process. I have chosen to study Mies van der Rohe’s Lake Shore Drive Apartments. The video begins with a choice of a topic and searching for the books on Hollis. After the list of books is made, the video captures a quick time lapse of the walk to the library, demonstrating the systematic traditional route taken many times before. Once...
Collaborator Blogs
http://librarytestkitchen.org/
http://www.buildingways.com/ideas/
http://jeffreyschnapp.com/category/blog/
http://librarylab.law.harvard.edu/blog/
http://metalab.harvard.edu/archives/
http://benbradylibrary.wordpress.com/
http://jessicaandthelibrary.blogspot.com/
http://kaitlynfitzgerald.wordpress.com/
http://dsgnuntitled.wordpress.com/
A Few Observations
Loeb Music Library
The library doesn’t contain records accessible to the public.
All of the scores are available at Widener.
Scholars do not have direct access to sound recordings. If one needs to check out a particular sound recording, it is ordered through the library and is picked up at the desk. Scholars do not have direct access to sound recordings.
The library has an equipment room with a...
Library Habits + DOs and DON'Ts
In an interview with a PhD student in the department of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Cian Power, I have been able to discover some of the flaws and necessities of the libraries around Harvard campus.
Habits
A scholar’s use of libraries tends to change every semester. New habits are established over time. In Widener, if one has access to a quiet study room that is designated for...
The Triangle between the Scholar, the Research and...
In an interview with a Masters student at the Divinity School, I have been able to discover some of the flaws and necessities of the libraries around Harvard campus.
The library needs to be quiet to facilitate comfortable and effective studying. The smaller the reading room (or study space), the better. Natural light is key. It is great to have a studying space when one is surrounded by books.
...
Foreign Language Keyword and Title Search
In an interview with a PhD student in History, Danny Orbach, I have been able to discover some of the flaws and necessities of the libraries around Harvard campus.
Favorite Library on Campus: Lamont
It is very cozy. The colors are warm and homely. The chairs are very comfortable, especially in the café. There is space to put your feet up and relax while spending hours reading or studying. The...
The Future of the Apple Store: A Great Library
In an interview with Florin Stefan Morar, a PhD student in History of Science Department and A.M. Student in Regional Studies East Asia, I have been able to discover some of the flaws and necessities of the libraries around Harvard campus.
Widener:
Pros:
The most comfortable areas of the reading room are the nooks to either side, where students are surrounded by bookcases and are seated in...
Widener Library Tours
Widener Library tours take place Thursdays at 3pm for those interested in an introduction to Widener’s collections and orientation to the facilities. The tour includes visiting reading rooms and the stacks, and an explanation of services available to researchers.
http://hcl.harvard.edu/libraries/widener/tours.cfm
Welcome!
Welcome to the laboratory of ideas! This is the place of innovation and design geared toward promoting growth of the library utilizing the means of today. As part of the Library Test Kitchen at Harvard University of Design, I am interested in innovations and design ideas for sustaining a library environment of the 21st century. What is the library of the 21st century? How does it reflect the...
