SIMMERING IDEAS

Neo-Carrel at Lamont Cafe

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:05:50 -0400

Neo-Carrel at Lamont Cafe

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:04:46 -0400

Neo-Carrel at Lamont Cafe

Neo-Carrel Quiet Pod designed for Lamont Cafe through Library...

Sat, 19 May 2012 22:04:12 -0400

Neo-Carrel Quiet Pod designed for Lamont Cafe through Library Test Kitchen

Soft Study Space. It is a chair that is supported by a desk...

Tue, 13 Mar 2012 01:17:01 -0400

Soft Study Space. It is a chair that is supported by a desk surface. The elevated surface that wraps up in the front can be used for a laptop, or once cushioned, for a head rest.

Nap Carrel Prototype I

Sun, 04 Mar 2012 01:46:08 -0500

Nap Carrel Prototype I

Making a prototype for a Nap Carrel to be installed in Harvard...

Sat, 03 Mar 2012 02:32:55 -0500

Making a prototype for a Nap Carrel to be installed in Harvard Libraries where one can take short term naps.

LIBRARY AS MINI CITY - Different Zones for Different Uses: Old,...

Sat, 25 Feb 2012 14:45:55 -0500

LIBRARY AS MINI CITY - Different Zones for Different Uses: Old, New and Ultra New

This proposal was developed as part of a project to make misused library spaces more useful. The library needs to be updated to suit the needs of the contemporary student body. This project is intended for Widener Library, to create zones in the stacks and to bring students to the carrels. How can the carrels be improved? Solution: with updated activities and augmented environments.

Nook Options

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 04:48:20 -0500

Nook Options

OSTRICH (pocket pillow for nap, 2011) Working patterns are...

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 03:02:54 -0500

OSTRICH

(pocket pillow for nap, 2011)

Working patterns are constantly evolving. We gradually spend more time in our working environments, and this in turn means that we often need to make work and rest fully compatible within the same space. Some cultures have assimilated this concept more naturally than others, but in general the workplace has rarely adapted to this new working-resting paradigm.

http://www.studio-kg.com/ostrich/

New Library Behaviors

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:53:00 -0500

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.

Widener Carrel Problem

Thu, 23 Feb 2012 02:50:00 -0500

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 personal ID will be removed unless stored in the carrel locker.

Widener staff provides carrel users with a locker combination to a designated locker. Thus carrel occupants cannot store personal items there. It would be great if students can store personal items such as laptops or overcoats in lockers. To discourage students from personalizing the lockers, they should only be reserved for a designated amount of time. For example, this could be done on a daily or hourly basis to allow for a regular turnover.

Those studying in reading rooms can access their books and other personal items without leaving the stacks. Some lockers should be available outside the stacks (mainly for those who bring books from other libraries).

Currently, uncharged material cannot be stored in lockers.

Reference: http://hcl.harvard.edu/info/study_spaces/widener_carrel_policy.cfm

My first attempt at making a video recording my research...

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 09:15:29 -0500

My 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 inside the library and down at the stacks, the process becomes specific to the search and rather personal to my patterns. I look at the map to find the area where the book is located. The video frames the elements on my way that are of importance to me in order to find the books I need. Once I am in the specific row that contains my books, I focus on the call numbers, skipping through sections of them until I get to the desired range. The names of the books start to jump out. Once I find the book I need, I browse around for other books on the subject in that area. After collecting the books I am interested in, I go find a table and look through them to see if they are worth checking out.

Collaborator Blogs

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 04:08:00 -0500

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/

What if lockers were introduced at Widener? They could be rented...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:38:16 -0500

What if lockers were introduced at Widener? They could be rented for a period of time to store personal items that are not desired to be taken home or to a reading room most of the time (especially laptops, blankets and other personal items besides books).

A Few Observations

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:18:49 -0500

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 wide range of machines to play various types of sound recording. There are a variety of machines in the library – it plays cassettes, DVDs as well as phonograph records.

It is possible that in the future, the more we use digital media, the more often we would be utilizing these types of rooms that would contain machines that can read floppy disks, CDs, DVDs and any future types of media. Although it is currently possible to transfer sound and any other recording from one media to another, the originals would still want to be preserved. It is likely that the originals are going to be stored in a depository or a similar storage facility, while the circulating material would be on the most up-to-date media.

Widener Library

The library is broken up into many components, each of which should be studied in detail to understand its functions to the fullest. During my last visit, I have focused on two of the main components that make up a library – the stacks and the reading room. The stacks are very claustrophobic and dark. I was only browsing books where the natural light was entering the space. I had no desire to walk through the dark arteries. This library setting discourages browsing. It is uncomfortable to walk in a tight space that is only lit up when one walks down the aisle. The library is very large and there is hardly anyone that crosses your path. The carrels are empty - hardly anyone uses them. They are primarily used for storage of not only books but other personal items such as pillows, comfortable shoes and blankets. Widener stacks feel like a depository – not a place to spend countless hours reading (if you have a carrel on one of the floors). The reading rooms are where the people are.

The main reading room is very quiet. Over 90 percent of scholars have personal computers. It is essential to have a lot of outlets. There are more students utilizing the edges of the room where one is surrounded by books and can sit as smaller tables.

(See additional interviews for further comment on the library).

Lamont Library

The library is very popular. The café area is typically occupied, especially in the evenings. The café is a huge success of this library. Not only does it provide comfortable seating, food and drinks, it also has large clear windows that open up onto a green lawn. There is plenty of light and a relaxed atmosphere is generally felt. The library is broken up into zones where students can find their nook. The atmosphere is warmer and cozier. It is not as quiet as Widener. This library feels more as a social space. The library is compact and is easy to navigate. Most of the students I talked to like to study at Lamont over other libraries in the Yard.

(See additional interviews for further comment on the library).

Widener Carrels. The carrels are empty - hardly anyone uses...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 16:11:22 -0500

Widener Carrels. The carrels are empty - hardly anyone uses them. They are primarily used for storage of not only books but other personal items such as pillows, comfortable shoes and blankets. Widener stacks feel like a depository – not a place to spend countless hours reading (if you have a carrel on one of the floors). The reading rooms are where the people are.

Widener Oversize Books are placed throughout the stacks. There...

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 02:35:00 -0500

Widener Oversize Books are placed throughout the stacks. There is no one section for them - the notation for an oversize section appears at the edge of the stacks along the main circulation routes.

Library Habits + DOs and DON'Ts

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:39:00 -0500

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 a particular department, it is a great place to study due to the lack of distractions. It is the wooden furniture, globes, objects in glass cases, etc. that makes a reading room a comfortable study space.

If one has a small computer screen, it is useful to study in the computer lab. Then one doesn’t need to carry a laptop to the library with them.

Cian rarely uses books that he is not aware of. Browsing is not the top priority (only occasionally during breaks looks at “recommended” shelf).

DOs

Libraries should have lots of windows to be able to see greenery outside.

There should be departmental libraries.

The reading room of the library should contain most commonly read books.

Chairs should be conducive to good posture.

It is great to have scanner available to scan material for later use.

DON’Ts

One should never sleep in the library.

Chairs should not be comfortable – they encourage sleep.

Hollis shouldn’t list lost books. It is insignificant to users.

General Comments

It is best to go to the library where the reference books are available. Widener has good resources, but there are not enough – they are usually taken out. Divinity school has all of the books needed for Cian’s research.

Libraries make one focus on their work because the environment encourages it: at least students “look” like they are studying.

Bag check is frustrating. Suggestion: It would be best if there were zones in the library that contained precious books that require strict security. Only those who need those books would go to those designated areas – there is no need to check everyone at the exit.

Suggestion *: There should always be a copy of the book confined to the library. This system is used at Oxford and it makes the library rather useful. This way, one can always go and get the book even if someone has it out. It is inefficient to have a book get to the library from another university just because every other book at the library is checked out.

Carrels. Although it was available, it was never used because it was too depressing, cold and dark – a self-imposed prison. The only good use of current carrels is for storage purposes, when the books get checked out to those carrels. Suggestion: Use the carrel like a reference desk or a reserves shelf. Those books would never be taken home. It is good that Widener has a shelf downstairs where one can store their books under their name.

The Triangle between the Scholar, the Research and the Librarian

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:36:06 -0500

The Triangle between the Scholar, the Research and the Librarian

Wed, 08 Feb 2012 00:22:00 -0500

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.

Favorite Libraries around Harvard: The Law Library, the McKay Library, Andover Theological Library

There is a library at Dudley House that is rather good. However, the seats are not comfortable. Better support is necessary. Too much cushioning is not unfavorable.

Browsing. Likes to go browsing for books. What jumps out the most in this case is an interesting title. Call system is easy to understand for those who have worked in the library. Widener’s call system is confusing.

It would be great to have the reserves list available to everyone who visits the library. It is useful to see what is read in other courses.

Need to account for growth in the library. Is the depository the way to go? Students won’t need to come to the libraries to look for books if there are no books to browse through. The library then could become just a reading space or studying space and a place to distribute something that you have reserved. But it is important to keep some books in the library to be able to browse and find something you might never stumble upon otherwise.

Suggestion: The movie library needs proper organization. It is unclear how the collection is organized. With music, the library is organized by composer’s last name. It would be best to organize movies by movie title. When searching for the movie – it is usually the title that jumps out.

There is not everyone who is familiar with Hollis or the most efficient searches. It would be great to have a librarian teach students how to use Hollis. There are people who come to the library who have never used it before.

If the search system is limited to an online catalogue, the need to come to the library is reduced. Librarian’s job needs to be emphasized. He/she needs to interact with researchers to guide them through efficient way to do their research.

Libraries need databases that look at certain types of media. Their current option in Hollis is complicated. There are a lot of digital manuscripts in the libraries containing texts that are difficult to take out of the library because of their age and worth. It is nice to have this access, but there needs to be more databases to search for them.

Suggestion: more outlets. From the operations stand point, one of the main student concerns at Harvard libraries is the shortage of outlets.